Known as Cove Point Road, the state highway runs 2.68 miles (4.31 km) from MD 2/MD 4 in Lusby east to the community of Cove Point.

A park and ride lot is located on the southwest corner of this intersection.

MD 497 continues east along Cove Point Park before intersecting Little Cove Point Road, which leads to the Chesapeake Ranch Estates community and the Chesapeake Ranch Airstrip.

The state highway passes by the entrance to the Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal and through a forested area before reaching its eastern terminus at the entrance to the Cove Point community.

The roadway continues as county-maintained Lighthouse Boulevard to the Cove Point Light.