Known as Hilliard Road, the state highway runs 1.43 miles (2.30 km) from U.S. Route 33 (US 33) in Dumbarton east to SR 161 in Lakeside in central Henrico County.

SR 356 begins at a four-way intersection with US 33 (Staples Mill Road) just south of Amtrak's Richmond Staples Mill Road station in the community of Dumbarton.

SR 356 heads east through a residential area on the north side of the community of Lakeside.

The state highway reaches its eastern terminus at Lakeside Avenue.

Lakeside Avenue heads north as an unnumbered highway to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.