Known for most of its length as Cople Highway, the state highway runs 17.91 miles (28.82 km) from SR 3 at Templeman east to U.S. Route 360 (US 360) in Callao.

The state highway heads northeast as Cople Highway, which crosses tidewater Nomini Creek and curves southeast at the hamlet of Nomini.

The two highways run concurrently until SR 203 splits northeast as Kinsale Road.

The state highway continues as Hampton Hall Road, which heads south past Morrisons Corner and southeast from Hyacinth to its eastern terminus at US 360 in the village of Callao.

The roadway continues east as Northumberland Highway toward the namesake county's seat of Heathsville.