Former SH 91 leaves SH 1 at Balclutha immediately to the north of the Balclutha Road Bridge. The route travels southeast, following the course of the Clutha River downstream. At the start of the river's delta, the route roughly follows the course of the northern delta branch, the Matau, but running straight rather than following the river's meanders. Two smaller roads leave the former highway to cross bridges onto the island of Inch Clutha; these are the principal road connections to the island. The former highway continues past the southern end of the township of Stirling, from here swinging round one meander of the Matau before heading south southeast towards Kaitangata. Close to this town, the route turns east, becoming Clyde Terrace.
Though no longer a State Highway, the route is still officially designated the "Kaitangata Highway" as far as postal addresses are concerned.