DE 286 begins at the Maryland border, where the road continues west into that state as MD 286 toward the town of Chesapeake City, and continues east on two-lane undivided Bethel Church Road through farmland.

The road then passes between homes to the north and rural areas to the south before becoming lined with farms on both sides.

[3][4] DE 286 has an annual average daily traffic count of 4,597 vehicles.

[5][6] The road in Delaware was paved by 1936 and served as part of the route between Summit Bridge and Chesapeake City.

[2] On November 20, 2009, a roundabout opened at the eastern terminus at DE 15.