Pennsylvania Route 252 (PA 252) is a north–south route that connects at its northern terminus Pennsylvania Route 23 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania Route 320 in Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania at its southern terminus.

Less than 5 blocks outside of Chester, PA 252 spurs off PA 320, signed as Providence Road and proceeds northward from that point. Soon, the route passes through the eastern part of the borough of Media, the county seat of Delaware County. After interchanging with the Media Bypass (U.S. 1), Providence Road passes Rose Tree Park in Upper Providence Township, where there is a fork in the road: Providence Road continues northward from the left-hand branch of the fork, but Route 252 continues northeastward from the right-hand branch, which is signed as Palmer's Mill Road. PA 252 continues across the top of the dam where the Springton Reservoir empties into Crum Creek and into Marple Township, at which point Palmer's Mill Road diverges from PA 252 and PA 252 continues northward, now signed as Newtown Street Road and passes alongside Delaware County Community College's campus. Through Newtown Township, Pennsylvania, PA 252 crosses West Chester Pike (PA 3). Right before the Chester-Delaware County Line, PA 252 splits from Newtown Street Road, signed as Darby Paoli Road.

Darby Paoli Road becomes a four-lane highway, but soon after entering Chester County it decreases in lanes to two. Farther north, the name changes to Leopard Road. At Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30) in Paoli, PA 252 crosses under a railroad bridge and changes names to Bear Hill Road. Farther north, the route becomes Swedesford Road, taking a more east–west alignment. It then intersects Chesterbrook Blvd., and shortly after becomes parallel with US 202 with a limited access interchange. It continues along US 202 until intersecting with Valley Forge Road. At this intersection, drivers are forced to take a left onto Valley Forge Road to continue being on PA 252. Immediately north of this intersection, PA 252 has a full access interchange with US 202. Valley Forge Road continues north (as PA 252 had been going east–west before), heading toward the historical Valley Forge. Within the park lines and shortly before the county line, PA 252 drops the Valley Forge Road moniker in favor of Valley Creek Road.

PA 252 briefly enters this county as Valley Creek Road before terminating at PA 23 in the unincorporated community of Valley Forge.

In 1683 the Court of Chester County approved the construction of "Providence Great Road" on what is now PA 252.

PA 252 in its current form was originally established in 1928 to run from Media to Newtown Square. In 1970, the route was changed to its current course.