SR 89 begins at the North Carolina state line a short distance south of Low Gap, where the highway crosses the Eastern Continental Divide.

The highway continues south as NC 89, which descends the Blue Ridge Mountains to the community of Lowgap in the valley of the Fisher River.

North of the parkway, the state highway intersects SR 613 (Edmonds Road), which leads west to Big Spring Bog Natural Area Preserve.

The state highway crosses Chestnut Creek twice before meeting the western end of SR 97 (Pipers Gap Road).

SR 89 heads through downtown Galax before reaching its northern terminus at US 58 and US 221 (Stuart Drive).