KY 17 begins at an intersection with U.S. Route 27 (US 27) in unincorporated Pendleton County, approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Falmouth.

Having picked up the name Madison Pike at the Kenton County line several miles south of KY 14, it heads north toward Independence.

Just north of downtown Independence, KY 17 transitions from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway.

The name "Madison Pike" stays with the older road that KY 17 was formerly routed along until 2002, and the split occurs at the corner where Summit View Elementary and Middle Schools are located.

KY 17 picks up the name "Madison Pike" again when the old road meets up with the current route a little over 2 miles (3.2 km) north.