SR 96 begins at the eastern terminus of MS 50 in the southwest corner of Lamar County, at the border of Mississippi and about east of Columbus, Mississippi. From its western terminus, SR 96 runs easterly as a two-lane road. From the state line, SR 96 heads east-northeast for about to reach a T intersection with the northern end of Liberty Road. Continuing east for about, it crosses Gentry Creek, Shelton Branch,, and Propst Creek, as it enters the town of Millport. Just before crossing Propst Creek, the route widens to four lanes. Within Millport the road signed as "HWY 96" as it continues east to cross several city streets, including College Drive, before reaching the T intersection with northbound Alabama State Route 17 in the middle of town. From that junction SR 17 heads north toward Hightogy and Vernon; and SR 96 continues east as a three-lane running concurrent with southbound SR 17, but still signed as "HWY 96". After crossing Driver Creek and several more city streets SR 96/SR 17 connects with the northern end of Lamar County Road 3. Just east of this junction the route returns to a two-lane road and remains as such for the remainder of the route. Turning slightly north, SR 96/SR 17 connects with the ends of several more city streets and crosses Crane Creek before leaving Millport. After heading east-northeast for about SR 96/SR 17 crosses Rushing Creek and Clear Creek before reaching the town of Kennedy. Just after entering town, SR 96/SR 17 reaches a T intersection with southbound SR 17. From that junction, SR 17 heads southerly toward Palmetto and Reform; and SR 96 continues east-northeast. After connecting with the ends of several city streets, SR 96 crosses Lamar County Road 49 at a four-way intersection in the center of town. After connecting with the ends of several more city streets, SR 96 reaches a T intersection with the northern end of Gorto Road before leaving Kennedy. Upon leaving Kennedy, the route turns north-northeast and, about later, the route leaves Lamar County and enters Fayette County.
Fayette County
Just after entering Fayette County, SR 96 very briefly curves north and slightly west before curving back to a northeastern course. About into the county, SR 96 enters the town of Belk and quickly comes to a T intersection with the northern end of Fayette County Road 1, which heads south-southeasterly to connect with the northern end of Fayette County Road 4 and then ends at Alabama State Route 159. After the junction with CR 1, SR 96 turns north-northeast to cross Beaver Creek and then connect with the ends of several city streets before crossing Fayette County Road 6 at a four-way intersection. Continuing north-northeast within Belk, SR 96 connects with the ends of several more city streets before turning northeast and leaving town. Just after leaving Belk, SR 96 connects with the western end of Fayette County Road 16 at a T intersection. About further on, SR 96 reaches the southern end of Fayette County Road 37 at another T intersection within the unincorporated community of Covin. Also in Covin, SR 96 turns easterly and continues on to a T intersection with the southern end of Fayette County Road 21 South in the unincorporated community of Cedar Hill. Just after the CR 21 junction, SR 96 comes to its eastern junction with CR 16 at another T intersection, also in Cedar Hill. About further east, SR 96 connects with Fayette County Road 106 at a four-way intersection. SR 96 then enters Fayette and quickly, but very briefly, turns north, then northeast before reaching its western terminus at SR 18 at a three-way intersection on the western edge of the main part of town.
