The south end of the route was cut back to its current location at PA 997 in the 1960s, with the road between Chambersburg and Scotland becoming unnumbered.

A short distance later, the route comes to a pair of ramps providing access to and from the northbound lanes of I-81.

The road continues immediately to the east of I-81 as it heads into agricultural areas, turning northeast away from the interstate.

[2][3] PA 696 crosses into Shippensburg Township in Cumberland County and curves east, making a turn north onto South Fayette Street.

PA 696 passes a few homes before entering the commercial downtown of Shippensburg, turning east to form a concurrency with US 11/PA 533 on West King Street.

The route heads back into Shippensburg Township and passes between residential areas to the west and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania to the east, briefly gaining a center left-turn lane near the York Drive intersection before becoming a two-lane road again.

PA 696 enters more rural areas as it heads farther north, crossing into Hopewell Township.

The road crosses the Conodoguinet Creek and curves northwest, heading into the borough of Newburg and becoming South Water Street, passing homes.