The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 19 (US 19) and PA 51 near downtown Pittsburgh at the junction of the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.

The highway parallels the Monongahela River for all of its route with the exceptions of its extreme north and south ends.

After rounding another bend in the Monongahela River, PA 837 heads for the borough of West Elizabeth.

PA 837 becomes East Carson Street in the South Side Flats neighborhood of the city of Pittsburgh.

East Carson Street is the main road of a major business district in the South Side.

It turns left on Ridge Road and makes a U-Turn back onto PA 51 north.