SR81 begins at an intersection with US19/US41/SR3 (Bear Creek Boulevard), just north of Hampton, in Henry County. It heads east to McDonough. There, it intersects SR20 (Hampton Road). They run concurrent to the northeast, into the main part of town. Immediately, they have an interchange with Interstate 75 (I-75) at exit 218. The exit was rebuilt into a diverging diamond interchange, with construction being completed in June 2022.[2][3] Continuing east, the two highways intersect US23/SR42 in the downtown McDonough Square.
From the downtown square to an intersection with SR155 (Zack Hinton Parkway) the highways form an east–west one-way pair. At this intersection, SR20 splits off to the north. SR81 then heads to the southeast before curving to the northeast and crosses over the South River, into Newton County. The bridge over the South River was replaced by Georgia DOT, with traffic reopening in December 2021.[4]
In Henry County, SR81 is signed as a west–east route; signage changes to south–north at or near the Newton County line. The highway has an intersection with SR212. Then, it heads north before curving to the northeast again. It meets SR162 just before it enters Porterdale. The intersection with SR 162 is under construction to install a new roundabout; completion is expected in May 2020, with traffic opening in January 2020.[5][6] In town is an intersection with the northern terminus of SR162 Connector. SR81 crosses over the Yellow River and passes through the main part of town. Immediately after leaving Porterdale, it enters Covington, where it turns north and intersects US278/SR12, before passing under, but not interchanging I-20. Then, it passes through Oxford.[1]
Oxford to Winder
SR 81 south in Winder in May 2009
On the northern end of Oxford, the road curves to the north-northeast and meet the northern terminus of SR142, before turning to the north and entering Walton County. Northward is Walnut Grove, where it intersects SR138, after which the route heads north-northwest to Loganville. In town is a brief concurrency with US78/SR10 (Atlanta Highway) and splits off to the northwest. In the main part of town is a very brief concurrency with SR20. Then, it heads northeast, passing through rural areas of the county, before it crosses the Apalachee River into Barrow County.
Southwest of Winder is an intersection with US29/SR316. As of fall 2019, the intersection is under construction to be converted into a grade-separated interchange. Construction is estimated to be completed in October 2020.[7] Just before entering Winder, the highway passes Fort Yargo State Park on its western end. In Winder, it reaches its northern terminus, an intersection with US29 Business/SR8/SR11/SR53.[1]
National Highway System
The following portions of SR81 are part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense:
From SR155 in McDonough to the intersection with the southern terminus of Crowell Road and the western terminus of Covington Bypass in Porterdale[8]
The entire length of the concurrency with US78/SR10 in Loganville[8]
