Known as East River Mountain Road, the state highway runs 4.16 miles (6.69 km) from Interstate 77 (I-77) and U.S. Route 52 (US 52) near Rocky Gap north to the West Virginia state line near Bluefield, West Virginia, where the highway continues as West Virginia Route 598 (WV 598).

SR 598 is the old alignment of US 52 on East River Mountain in far northern Bland County.

I-77 and US 52 run concurrently north from the interchange into the East River Mountain Tunnel into West Virginia.

SR 598 heads west as a two-lane undivided road that curvaceously ascends the mountain without the benefit of climbing lanes.

The roadway continues west as WV 598 (Bland Road) and descends the north side of the mountain into the city of Bluefield.