Part of Maine State Route 77, it runs one-way for around 0.95 miles (1.53 km), from an intersection with Forest Avenue in the northwest to York Street in the southeast.

[2] The northwestern end of the street, between Forest Avenue and Park Avenue, passes through Deering Oaks Park, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It then begins its climb up the hill which runs along the spine of the Portland peninsula from the northeast to the southwest.

The hill crests at Congress Street, which in this section is in Longfellow Square.

Greater Portland Metro's route 8 (Peninsula Loop) serves State Street.