Pennsylvania Route 896 is a north–south state highway located in the counties of Lancaster and Chester in southeastern Pennsylvania. The northern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 340 in the East Lampeter Township hamlet of Smoketown, just east of Lancaster. The southern terminus is at the Maryland state line just south of Strickersville in London Britain Township. South of the state line, PA 896 continues as unsigned Maryland Route 896 for about 400 feet (120 m), and then enters Delaware as Delaware Route 896 toward Newark.

The highway passes through the borough of Strasburg, known for its Amish tourist attractions. The section south of the borough up to the state line is predominantly farmland.

PA 896 begins at the Maryland border in London Britain Township, Chester County, at which the point the route 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.

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 and makes a turn to the northwest, heading into farmland with some homes as it crosses the Big Elk Creek into Upper Oxford Township. The route crosses Baltimore Pike before reaching an interchange with US 1. Following this interchange, PA 896 continues into open farmland with occasional residences, crossing PA 10 in Russellville. The road continues through rural areas past this intersection.

Upon crossing the Octoraro Creek in a wooded area, PA 896 crosses into Colerain Township, Lancaster County, becoming Georgetown Road. 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 abandoned Atglen and Susquehanna Branch railroad line before intersecting PA 372. 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, reaching an intersection with PA 741 a short distance to the west of the Strasburg Rail Road and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. At this point, PA 896 crosses PA 741 and continues northwest through farmland with some businesses, straddling the border between Strasburg to the southwest and Strasburg Township to the northeast. North of town, 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. 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 several outlet malls. After this intersection, the route becomes Eastbrook Road and passes a mix of farm fields and residential subdivisions before ending at PA 340 in the community of Smoketown.

Prior to 2009, PA 896 went through Strasburg on PA 741 and North Decatur Street. That year, the route was realigned to the Historic Drive bypass northeast of Strasburg.