This river flows in the municipalities of Sainte-Agathe-de-Lotbinière, Saint-Gilles, Dosquet, Lyster (MRC de L'Érable Regional County Municipality), Saint-Janvier-de-Joly, Val-Alain, Saint-Édouard-de-Lotbinière, Lotbinière and Leclercville, in the Lotbinière Regional County Municipality, in the administrative region of Chaudière-Appalaches, in Quebec, in Canada.

The main neighboring watersheds of the Chêne River are: The Chêne River has its source in an agricultural area west of the village of Sainte-Agathe-de-Lotbinière, northeast of route 271 and south from route 218.

Near its mouth on the Saint Lawrence it flows past the Moulin du Portage, a historical water-powered flour mill.

The Chêne River flows over 80.6 kilometres (50.1 mi), with a drop of 176 metres (577 ft), divided into the following segments: Upper course of the river (segment of 21.0 kilometres (13.0 mi)) From its head area, the Chêne River flows over: Intermediate course of the river (segment of 34.1 kilometres (21.2 mi)) From Route 116, the Chêne River flows over: Lower course of the river (segment of 25.5 kilometres (15.8 mi)) From the confluence with the Henri River located in Leclercville, the Chêne River flows over: The Chêne River flows over the Chêne Flats, on the south shore of the estuary of Saint Lawrence, in the village of Leclercville.

It is also located at 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) east of the confluence of the Petite rivière du Chêne.