The road passes a few businesses before heading into wooded areas with some development, running to the east of Connoquenessing Creek and crossing into Oakland Township.

The route winds north and heads into Concord Township, passing through Greece City and continuing through wooded areas with some farm fields and residences.

PA 38 passes through Hooker and heads northeast, turning north again and entering Washington Township.

The road passes through open agricultural areas before heading into the residential community of North Washington, where it intersects PA 138.

The two routes cross the river, at which point it is in Scrubgrass Township again, and heads back into Emlenton, entering the commercial downtown on 5th Street.

[1][4] PA 38 crosses back into Richland Township, Venango County and passes through Mariasville, heading northwest through farms and woods with some homes and turning north at Distlers Corners.

The road turns north into wooded areas with some farm fields and residences, entering Rockland Township.