MD 242 begins at the intersection of Beach Road and Point Breeze Road in a residential neighborhood at Coltons Point on the shore of the
Potomac River. Point Breeze Road heads east toward the St. Clements Island–Potomac River Museum, which is the embarkation point for seasonal boat tours to St. Clement's Island State Park, the site of Maryland's First Landing that includes the
Blakistone Island Light. MD 242 heads northwest as a two-lane undivided road through a mix of farmland and forest and scattered residences along the parallel St. Patrick's Creek. The state highway veers north through the community of Avenue, where the highway intersects the southern end of
MD 470 (Oakley Road) and the western end of Abell Road. MD 242 continues northwest through a forested area and turns north again at the eastern terminus of
MD 239 (Bushwood Wharf Road) near the community of Bushwood. The state highway veers northeast and intersects the southern terminus of
MD 238 (Maddox Road) in the hamlet of
Milestown before crossing Tomakokin Creek. MD 242 meets the northern end of MD 470 (Oakley Road) just south of the hamlet of
Dynard. The state highway crosses Dynard Run and parallels St. Clements Creek before arriving in the community of Clements, where the highway comes to a
roundabout with
MD 234 (Budds Creek Road), which connects
Leonardtown to the east with
U.S. Route 301 and the
Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge to the west. A
park and ride lot is located at the northwest corner of this roundabout. MD 242 leaves Clements heading north then curves to the east and crosses St. Clements Creek. The state highway heads northeast through farmland, crossing Locust Run before passing west of
Chopticon High School. MD 242 reaches its northern terminus at MD 5 (Point Lookout Road) in the community of Morganza. The highway continues north as county-maintained Morganza–Turner Road. ==History==