SR 59 begins as a secondary highway at the Mississippi River in Tipton County in an area known as Richardson Landing.

As one continues east along the highway, one will notice that the elevation increases from around 250 to 400 feet (76 to 122 m) above sea level in less than 2 miles (3.2 km).

This sharp increase is due to what is known as the second Chickasaw Bluff, a formation created by wind-blown silt which has accumulated from around the last Ice Age.

At the top of this bluff is the small community of Randolph, which was important during the civil war and at one time was bigger than Memphis, 40 miles (64 km) down the river.

It has an interchange I-40 (Exit 35) south of Braden shortly before it has an intersection with SR 194 and begins to parallel the course of the Loosahatchie River (which it does for the remainder of the highway's length).