PA 896 begins at the
Maryland border in
London Britain Township in
Chester County, at which the point the road continues south into Maryland as
MD 896 for a short distance before crossing into
Delaware and becoming
DE 896. From the state line, PA 896 heads north on two-lane undivided New London Road, passing woods and homes as it comes to the community of
Strickersville. At this point, the road turns to the northwest into a mix of farmland, woodland, and residences as it crosses into
Franklin Township and reaches the community of
Kemblesville. Here, the road passes several homes prior to crossing
PA 841. Following this intersection, PA 896 becomes Newark Road and continues through a mix of rural areas and residential subdivisions as it enters
New London Township. The route crosses State Road in the community of
New London. After turning more to the north, PA 896 intersects the southern terminus of
PA 796 and heads north-northwest, crossing into
Penn Township. The road crosses an
East Penn Railroad line at-grade and makes a turn to the northwest, heading into farmland with some homes as it crosses the
East Branch Big Elk Creek into
Upper Oxford Township. The route crosses
Baltimore Pike before reaching a
partial cloverleaf interchange with the
US 1 freeway. Following this interchange, PA 896 runs through open farmland with occasional residences, intersecting
PA 10 in
Russellville. The road continues through rural areas past this intersection, crossing Muddy Run on a one-lane bridge and passing through
Homeville, where it turns southwest and northwest. The road continues through more agricultural areas, turning more to the north. The route enters
Bart Township and heads northwest again as it continues to the small residential community of
Nine Points. Farther northwest, PA 896 crosses a bridge over the
Enola Low Grade Trail before intersecting
PA 372 in the community of Green Tree. At this point, PA 372 turns north onto PA 896 and the two routes run
concurrent through a mix of farms and homes. PA 372 splits from PA 896 by heading east on Christiana Pike, at which point PA 896 makes a turn to the west and enters the community of
Georgetown. In Georgetown, the route makes a turn to the north and curves to the northwest again as it leaves Georgetown. The road continues through more farmland as it crosses into
Paradise Township. Upon crossing into Paradise Township, PA 896 turns to the west-northwest and passes a mix of woods and homes before heading back into agricultural areas and turning west. The route curves to the northwest as it enters
Strasburg Township and turns north onto Historic Drive, passing west of a shopping center that is home to the
Choo Choo Barn, a model railroad display, and reaching an intersection with
PA 741 a short distance to the west of the
Strasburg Rail Road and the
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. At this point, PA 896 crosses PA 741 and continues northwest through farmland with some businesses, straddling the border between the borough of
Strasburg to the southwest and Strasburg Township to the northeast. North of Strasburg, PA 896 turns north onto Hartman Bridge Road and passes homes and businesses as it crosses back into Strasburg Township, at which point it runs through a mix of farms, homes, and businesses, passing east of
Sight & Sound Theatres. After crossing the
Pequea Creek, PA 896 enters
East Lampeter Township and continues north to an intersection with
US 30 (
Lincoln Highway) in a commercial area near two shopping centers. After this intersection, the route becomes Eastbrook Road and passes a mix of farm fields and residential subdivisions with some businesses before crossing
Mill Creek and ending at
PA 340 in the community of
Smoketown. ==History==