SH 87 leaves SH 1 at a junction at the southwestern end of the Dunedin Southern Motorway, immediately south of Mosgiel.
It travels north through the town as its main street, Gordon Road, before heading west along the northern edge of the Taieri Plain.
The highway climbs the northeastern flank of Maungatua shortly after passing through Outram (where it crosses the Taieri River), its course becoming northwesterly.
The course continues past the small settlements of Lee Stream and Clarks Junction before turning northeastward to head along the broad Strath-Taieri valley.
After passing through Sutton, the highway reaches the town of Middlemarch.

From Sutton, the highway runs close to the course of the Taieri River, and from Middlemarch the Otago Central Rail Trail also runs nearby.
The highway continues northeast past Hyde before emerging onto the high Maniototo plain.
The highway terminates at Kyeburn, 15 km to the east of Ranfurly, at a junction with SH 85.
SH 87 leaves SH 1 at a junction at the southwestern end of the Dunedin Southern Motorway, immediately south of Mosgiel. It travels north through the town as its main street, Gordon Road, before heading west along the northern edge of the Taieri Plain. The highway climbs the northeastern flank of Maungatua shortly after passing through Outram (where it crosses the Taieri River), its course becoming northwesterly. The course continues past the small settlements of Lee Stream and Clarks Junction before turning northeastward to head along the broad Strath-Taieri valley. After passing through Sutton, the highway reaches the town of Middlemarch.
From Sutton, the highway runs close to the course of the Taieri River, and from Middlemarch the Otago Central Rail Trail also runs nearby. The highway continues northeast past Hyde before emerging onto the high Maniototo plain. The highway terminates at Kyeburn, 15 km to the east of Ranfurly, at a junction with SH 85.
State Highway 87 (New Zealand)