A small section of it was first added to the state highway system during 1930, and it gained its current routing and designation by 1940.

SR 271 begins at an intersection with US 250 (Broad Street) in the suburban community of Short Pump in western Henrico County.

SR 271 reduces to a two-lane undivided road north of the overpass and passes along the western edge of the suburban community of Wyndham.

SR 271 leaves the suburban area as a two-lane road that cuts through the northeastern corner of Goochland County near the headwaters of the Chickahominy River to the east before entering Hanover County.

[3] During 1932, the route was extended a total of 5.88 miles (9.46 km) to SR 271's current terminus as part of a larger addition of 27.44 miles (44.2 km) of undesignated roads in Henrico, Goochland, and Hanover Counties to the state highway system.