State Route 89 is a 12-mile-long (19 km) route in the south-central part of the state. The southern terminus of the route is at its junction with State Route 21 at Snow Hill, an unincorporated community in Wilcox County approximately 14 miles (23 km) east of Camden. The northern terminus of the route is at its junction with State Route 41 approximately 22 miles (35 km) south of Selma in southern Dallas County.

State Route 89 passes through the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt, recognized as one of the poorer areas of the state. The route serves as an extension of the northbound leg of State Route 21, which turns eastwardly in eastern Wilcox County. The path of State Route 89 passes through rural areas and does not traverse any incorporated communities. The northern terminus of the route is in Dallas County at Shepardville.