US 17 enters Essex County at the community of Laneview. The U.S. Highway passes through Center Cross and Dunnsville and crosses Piscataway Creek before reaching Brays Fork, where the highway has a directional intersection with US 360 (Richmond Highway). The two highways enter the town of Tappahannock and pass through a commercial strip as Tappahannock Boulevard. US 17 and US 360 cross Hoskins Creek and pass through the downtown area as four-lane undivided Tidewater Trail. At the north end of downtown, US 360 turns east onto Queen Street to cross the Rappahannock River to the Northern Neck. US 17 expands to a divided highway and follows the west bank of the river before heading inland again after crossing Mount Landing Creek. The U.S. Highway passes through the communities of Caret, Champlain, Chance, and Loretto before crossing Portobogo Creek into Caroline County. US 17 passes through Etta ahead of its junction with US 301 (A.P. Hill Boulevard) at the town of Port Royal.