It is 15 miles (24 km) long from U.S. Route 41-441 at Ellisville, Columbia County to State Road 100 in Lake Butler, carrying only 0.1 miles (0.2 km) of State Road 231.

The entire route of SR 238 is only 2 lanes wide.

Starting at US 41-441 near Interstate 75 as Yukon Street, it is in Columbia County for 1 and a half miles.

The road becomes Southwest Second Street upon entering the city limits and county seat, of Lake Butler, then turns north at the intersection with State Road 231 at Southwest Sixth Avenue.

It travels north 0.1 miles (0.2 km) serving as the western terminus of the Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail before ending at State Road 100.