CR 542 begins at an intersection with Route 54 in Hammonton, Atlantic County, heading east on two-lane undivided Central Avenue.

Near Atlanticare–Kessler Memorial Hospital, the route intersects US 30, at which point CR 542 turns south for a brief concurrency on four-lane undivided White Horse Pike.

From this point, the route continues back into agricultural areas with some homes, meeting CR 658.

CR 542 turns northeast and enters the Wharton State Forest, a part of the Pine Barrens.

The road passes to the south of Batsto Village and makes a turn southeast into dense forests, running a short distance to the north of the Mullica River.