The second segment near Leonardtown was removed from the state highway system in the mid-1950s but returned as an extension of MD 4 in the early 1980s.

MD 471 passes through the cluster of four buildings that is Cecil's Mill Historic District.

The state highway continues northwest, crossing the St. Mary's River twice.

Indian Bridge Road continues northwest as a county highway toward St. Mary's River State Park and an intersection with MD 4 (St. Andrews Church Road) between Leonardtown and California.

[5][6] The current portion of MD 471 was also transferred to county control in 1956 but returned to the state highway system by 1963.