SR 17 begins at the northern terminus of Georgia State Route 193 (SR 193) at the Tennessee-Georgia State line in the city of Chattanooga's historic Saint Elmo neighborhood.

Just past the US 11/US 41/US 64/US 72 junction, SR 17 intersects with Interstate 24 (I-24).

At intersection US 72 continues northward while US 41/SR 17 and US 76 turn eastward onto West Main Street.

It then proceeds northward through the neighborhoods of west-central and north-west Chattanooga before coming to an end at SR 58/SR 153/SR 317.

[2] The entire route is in Chattanooga, Hamilton County.