It runs through the Texas panhandle from Hedley to the Oklahoma state line.

[5] On March 13, 1934, the part of SH 52 east of Wellington remained, but the highway west of Wellington was renumbered SH 203, along with a proposed[6][7] route from Wellington to the state line near Dodson.

On June 23, 1945, the state designated the route via Dodson as part of Farm to Market Road 338, causing this section of SH 203 to conflict in designation.

It meets the beginning of SH 273 after leaving that town.

SH 203 then turns more easterly and passes through Quail.