It connects two towns in the northeast part of the state: Sapulpa and Sand Springs.

Several communities of West Tulsa are along the road between these two towns, including Pretty Water, Allen, and Prattville.

At the northern outskirts of Sapulpa, it serves as the western terminus of SH-166, a short spur route.

About one mile (1.6 km) north of the county line, SH-97 enters Prattville, a neighborhood of Sand Springs.

SH-97 continues straight ahead on North Wilson Avenue, then turns onto West 2nd Street and passes through downtown Sand Springs.

The highway continues north through southeast Osage County to the Zink Ranch.