It traverses the southern Cumberland Plateau before descending into the Sequatchie Valley, where follows the shores of Nickajack Lake for its final few miles.

[1] Just beyond its intersection with Patton School Road, SR 156 descends more than one thousand feet (300 m) from the edge of the plateau into the Sequatchie Valley, where it enters South Pittsburg.

[1] After crossing the bridge, SR 156 enters New Hope, which it traverses from west-to-east, providing its main traffic artery.

Shortly after crossing the bridge, it intersects Tennessee State Route 422, which goes south to Long Island, Alabama.

From this point, SR 134 continues northward into Haletown and eastward toward Whiteside and the northwestern part of the state of Georgia.