Known as Racetrack Road, the state highway runs 4.65 miles (7.48 km) from U.S. Route 50 (US 50) at Grays Corner north to US 113 and MD 575 in Showell.

MD 589 begins at an intersection with US 50 (Ocean Gateway) at Grays Corner.

The state highway enters a commercial area and intersects Manklin Creek Road, which is the main access to Ocean Pines.

MD 589 curves northwest, then expands to a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane before passing another entrance to the Ocean Pines development and meeting MD 90 (Ocean City Expressway) at a diamond interchange.

[6][7] The northern end of the highway was realigned in 2000 to accommodate the expansion of US 113 through the area.