It connects US 51 with the cities and towns of Henning, Ripley and Gates and, via SR 88, Halls.

SR 209 begins at an intersection with US 51/SR 3 south of Henning.

It then proceeds northeastward and enters the Henning city limits and in downtown Henning SR 209 has a brief concurrency with SR 87.

It then continues northward and enters Ripley city limits.

After this it mainly enters rural countryside and follows a railroad line for about seven miles (11 km) until it reaches the town of Gates where it has a brief concurrency with SR 180 and ends at an intersection with SR 88 and SR 180.