It serves as an arterial bypass route of US 11E/SR 34 in the city of Morristown in Hamblen County.

SR 160 then leaves Morristown and has an intersection with SR 113 before coming to an interchange with Interstate 81 (Exit 12 on I-81) in Lowland, where it turns secondary, narrows to 2-lanes, and continues through farmland before crossing the Nolichucky River into Cocke County.

SR 160 enters the mountains and passes by Briarwood Ranch Safari Park before passing through Bybee as it exits the mountains and re enters farmland.

The highway then winds its way southeast along the banks of the French Broad River to enter Community Newport and come to an end at an intersection with US 321/SR 35 east of downtown.

Construction of the four-laned section began in 1990 and it took roughly two years to complete, passing through a number of hills and valleys, requiring extensive bridges.