The route in its northern segment is a two-lane, rural road, but it becomes a four-lane arterial after crossing the Garden State Parkway all the way to Toms River.
The road heads to the west of the Seacourt Pavilion shopping center and intersects with Bay Avenue (CR 571) at an at-grade cloverleaf interchange.
The road narrows back to four lanes at the intersection of Oak Avenue (CR 94) as it passes more shopping centers, turning more to the northeast.
[1][2] Immediately after this interchange, the road crosses the Metedeconk River (South Branch) into Lakewood and turns north, coming to the intersection of Ocean Avenue (Route 88).
Immediately after, the route crosses the Metedeconk River (North Branch) back into Brick and passes more residential and business areas, heading west of a park and ride lot, before intersecting with Burnt Tavern Road (CR 63).
At this intersection, CR 549 turns east onto Burnt Tavern Road and has an interchange with the Garden State Parkway again, this time providing full access.
The Brick Park and Ride serving NJ Transit buses to New York City is located along the ramp from CR 549 to the northbound Garden State Parkway.
The route crosses into Wall Township, Monmouth County, and passes under the Garden State Parkway before entering wooded areas with some homes.
[3] The Fischer Boulevard Extension was proposed in the late 1990s to alleviate severe traffic congestion on Hooper Avenue (CR 549) from Toms River into Brick.
It would have continued Fischer Boulevard (CR 549 Spur) north through undeveloped land near Ocean County College, before connecting with Church Road near its intersection of Bay Avenue near the Garden State Parkway overpass.