Known for much of its length as South Quay Road, the state highway runs 10.82 miles (17.41 km) from U.S. Route 258 (US 258) near Franklin east to US 58 Business in Suffolk.

SR 189 begins at an intersection with US 258 (Smiths Ferry Road) in Southampton County south of the city of Franklin.

The roadway continues north as US 258 toward Franklin while SR 189 runs concurrently with US 58 east on the four-lane divided highway.

The two highways meet the eastern end of SR 272 and assume the name South Quay Road.

Just west of the community of Holland, SR 189 splits north from US 58 along two-lane undivided South Quay Road.