The state highway runs 49.82 miles (80.18 km) from SR 22 in Cismont north to U.S. Route 522 (US 522) near Sperryville.

The state highway heads northeast as Gordonsville Road through the village, which contains historic Grace Episcopal Church.

SR 231 parallels the eastern flank of the Southwest Mountains and passes through Cash Corner, the site of the historic plantation Castle Hill.

Southbound US 15 and eastbound US 33 follow the southeast leg of the roundabout, Main Street, into the center of town.

At the northern limit of the town, US 29 Business continues on Main Street to return to US 29 while SR 231 heads north on Blue Ridge Turnpike.

SR 231 passes through Peola Mills as the highway enters Rappahannock County just north of its crossing of the Hughes River.