Known as Oakley Road, the state highway runs north 3.75 miles (6.04 km) between intersections with MD 242 in Avenue and Dynard.

MD 470 heads northeast as an 18-foot (5.5 m) wide two-lane undivided road through a mix of farmland and forest.

The state highway crosses Canoe Neck Creek before curving north through the hamlet of Oakley.

The highway intersects Burch Road, which provides access to the historic home The River View, before widening to 20 feet (6.1 m).

The first section was constructed from Avenue to just north of Canoe Neck Creek starting in 1930.