The route begins at SH 1 in Tokoroa and travels west along Maraetai Road, leaving Tokoroa where the road angles in a more southerly direction through the Kinleith Forest. It eventually meets SH 30 at a three way junction. From here both SH 32 and SH 30 share a short concurrency of 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi), crossing the Waikato River over the Whakamaru Dam. Shortly after reaching the locality of Whakamaru, SH 32 leaves the concurrency and continues south. The highway continues for the remaining 67 kilometres (42 mi) until it reaches Kuratau Junction and terminates with SH 41. From there, motorists can continue eastbound to reach SH 1 and complete the alternative north–south route.
SH 32, when first established, consisted of only the 67-kilometre (42 mi) section between SH 30 and SH 41. In 1995, the highway was extended to Tokoroa. For many years it was the longest highway not to have a major junction with any of the single digit state highways.
