It is predominantly a rural two-lane undivided road that runs through agricultural areas a short distance west of the Delaware state line, with the exception of a four-lane divided bypass of Denton that is concurrent with MD 404.

MD 313 serves many communities, including Sharptown, Eldorado, Federalsburg, Denton, Greensboro, Goldsboro, Barclay, Sudlersville, Millington, and Massey.

MD 313 runs through rural areas of woods and farms on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, generally a short distance west of the Delaware state line.

The route heads through five counties in Maryland from south to north: Wicomico, Dorchester, Caroline, Queen Anne's, and Kent.

[1][2] The route passes west of Mardela Middle and High School and continues north past more residences before it leaves Mardela Springs and heads into farmland a short distance west of the Delaware state line.

[1][2] It continues through a mix of woods and farms with some residences, crossing Plum Creek before reaching the town of Sharptown.

[1][2] Past this intersection, the route turns north and runs along the eastern edge of the town before crossing over the Nanticoke River on the Sharptown Bridge.

[2] Upon crossing the Nanticoke River, MD 313 enters Dorchester County and heads northwest through wooded areas before continuing into a mix of woodland and farmland.

[1][2] It intersects MD 392 (Finchville Reliance Road) in Finchville and passes more farming areas with intermittent residences before coming to an intersection with MD 577 (Reliance Road) on the Caroline County border in Allens Corner.

The route heads toward the town of Federalsburg, passing through a mix of agricultural and residential areas.

[1] The road passes an industrial park before turning north into wooded areas and crossing the Maryland and Delaware Railroad's Seaford Line at-grade.

Past this intersection, MD 313/MD 404 cross over Watts Creek and heads north through farmland, passing east of Martinak State Park.

Past this intersection, MD 313/MD 404 become a freeway and head north, passing residential neighborhoods and woodland along the eastern side of Denton.

[2] The route heads through farmland before passing residences and intersecting the western terminus of MD 317 (Burrsville Road) in Oil City.

Past this intersection, the road crosses the Centreville Branch of the Northern Line of the Maryland and Delaware Railroad at-grade before leaving Barclay and heading back into agricultural areas.

[1][2] Upon leaving Sudlersville, the route becomes Millington Road and continues north through farm fields with intermittent residences.

[2] The route heads northeast through a mix of agricultural and residential areas before turning east in a patch of woodland and passing more farm fields and residences.

[2] MD 313 turns northeast into wooded residential areas and enters the town of Millington, where it becomes Sassafras Street.

MD 313 reaches Massey, where it passes by residences before coming to an intersection at the center of town where it makes a left turn to remain along Galena Road.

It heads west through farmland before turning north and intersecting MD 290 (Chesterville Road).

At this time, the state highway was under proposal between Sharptown and Eldorado, north of Federalsburg and Williston, and Greensboro and Ingleside.

At this time, the road between Mardela Springs and Eldorado was designated as part of US 213, which ran from Ocean City to Elkton.

[8] By 1933, the southern terminus of MD 313 was extended to US 213 in Mardela Springs when US 213 was rerouted to cross the Nanticoke River in Vienna.

In 1987, MD 313 was moved to a bypass to the north and east of Sharptown, having previously followed State Street through the town.