Known as Damsontown Road, the state highway runs 5.13 miles (8.26 km) from MD 309 near Queen Anne north to MD 304 in Ruthsburg.

MD 481, which was constructed in the early 1930s, provides access to Tuckahoe State Park on its course through southeastern Queen Anne's County.

The two-lane undivided state highway heads north through farmland, passing Crouse Mill Road, which is used to access Tuckahoe State Park from the west.

MD 481 curves east to cross Blockiston Branch, then veers north and meets the other end of Crouse Mill Road.

[citation needed] The entire route is in Queen Anne's County.