The highway runs 2.51 miles (4.04 km) from Elk Mills east to MD 279 near Elkton in northeastern Cecil County.

Elk Mills Road continues west as a county highway toward MD 213.

MD 277 heads east as a two-lane undivided road through residential areas of the community and has a grade crossing of CSX's Philadelphia Subdivision railroad line.

The highway crosses over Big Elk Creek and passes along the northern edge of the Elk Mills Quarry before intersecting Appleton Road, which heads south as MD 316 and north as a county highway.

MD 277 continues east as Fletchwood Road through suburban areas and woods, passing to the north of warehouses.