The route travels from SR 130/SR 292 in Vidalia to US 1/SR 4/SR 57 southeast of Swainsboro.

Shortly after its intersection with SR 298, the route encounters the quadripoint, the meeting point of Emanuel, Montgomery, Toombs, and Treutlen counties.

The route intersects SR 46, then Interstate 16 (I-16), where it begins making a northeastward jaunt, before crossing the Ohoopee River and entering Emanuel County proper.

The route continues northeast to meet its northern terminus, an intersection with US 1/SR 4/SR 57 southeast of Swainsboro.

SR 297 is a rural route, and sees an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of less than 5,000 vehicles over its whole length, with an AADT of less than 2,000 vehicles on the segment in Emanuel County.