The state highway runs 7.41 miles (11.93 km) from Interstate 64 (I-64) and U.S. Route 60 (US 60) to US 258 within the independent city of Hampton.

SR 169 is a C-shaped route that connects the Hampton neighborhoods of Phoebus, Buckroe Beach, and Fox Hill.

From US 258, SR 169 heads northeast as a four-lane divided highway to the Buckroe Beach neighborhood.

SR 169 follows the four-lane undivided highway west and then southwest through several neighborhoods to its northern terminus at US 258 (Mercury Boulevard).

[5] The loop was removed in 1975, leaving only the Mallory Street-Pembroke Alignment at Buckroe Beach.