KY 97 enters Kentucky on the Graves-Calloway County line and travels north for a few tenths of a mile before curving toward the northwest away from the Calloway County line.

It continues to the northwest through rural sections of southeastern Graves County, passing through the unincorporated community of Bell City.

After passing through Sedalia the route travels due north for nearly 5.5 miles (8.9 km) and terminates at a junction with KY 80/KY 121/KY 121 Business just south of Mayfield.

The route remains two lanes for its entirety and passes through mostly rural sections of Graves County.

By 1937, KY 97 was a mostly unpaved road that terminated in the center of Mayfield.