SR 296 begins at an intersection with US 1/US 221/SR 4/SR 17 approximately 3.6 miles (5.8 km) north of Louisville, in Jefferson County.

It heads northwest to an intersection with SR 88/SR 540 (Fall Line Freeway) approximately 3.9 miles (6.3 km) southwest of Wrens.

After intersecting SR 80 approximately 3.9 miles (6.3 km) northwest of Wrens, the route leaves Jefferson County, briefly cutting across the extreme eastern corner of Glascock County.

Shortly after entering Warren County, the route meets its northern terminus, an intersection with SR 17 approximately 4.9 miles (7.9 km) northwest of Wrens.

Largely a rural route, SR 296 sees an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of less than 2,000 vehicles.