It primarily functions as a truck route through industrial areas in Finley, Kennewick, and Pasco, running 22 miles (35 km) between junctions with Interstate 82 (I-82) and I-182.

The remaining highway between I-82 and Finley in the Horse Heaven Hills was constructed by the state government and Benton County from 2004 to 2008 and was signed as part of SR 397 in 2009.

The highway runs east along the barren top of the ridge, arcing to the north, crossing several canyons and gullies, and traveling through several cuts in the hills.

SR 397 turns east to cross an irrigation canal and a section of the Fallbridge Subdivision railroad operated by the BNSF Railway, which also carries Amtrak's Empire Builder service.

[10][11][12] Chemical Road was built in the early 1960s to serve a number of new industrial facilities in Finley, following the general path of the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway towards Kennewick.

[25][26] The 10-mile (16 km) highway, named the "intertie", was built with 12-foot (3.7 m) lanes and 6-foot (1.8 m) shoulders to accommodate truck traffic; additionally, several streets in Kennewick and Finley were extended to connect with the new road.

[26][30] The highway was initially signed as a county route until it was transferred to the state by a legislative action in 2009 extended SR 397 to the Locust Road interchange.