Known as Del Rhodes Avenue, the state highway runs 1.20 miles (1.93 km) from U.S. Route 50 (US 50) north to MD 18 within Queenstown.

The ramp from westbound US 50 to northbound MD 456 is the original alignment and has the unsigned designated US 50QB.

MD 456 heads northwest as a two-lane undivided road along a row of residences.

The state highway enters the town of Queenstown after crossing the Wye River.

[1][3] The Eastern Shore Boulevard, designated MD 404 by 1933, was completed around Queenstown by 1930.