| Election Name: | 1938 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Rhode Island |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1936 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1936 |
| Next Election: | 1940 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1940 |
| Election Date: | November 8, 1938 |
| Image1: | File:William H. Vanderbilt (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | William Henry Vanderbilt III |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 168,624 |
| Percentage1: | 54.17% |
| Nominee2: | Robert E. Quinn |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 129,603 |
| Percentage2: | 41.63% |
| Governor | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | William Henry Vanderbilt III |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1938 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1938. Republican nominee William Henry Vanderbilt III defeated Democratic incumbent Robert E. Quinn with 54.17% of the vote.