The state highway heads east as a two-lane undivided road parallel to MD 26, then curves north and parallels MD 97 as the two highways cross Little Morgan Run.

North of Bear Branch Road, MD 854A reaches its northern terminus at the entrance to a private driveway just south of the Morgan Run Natural Environment Area property.

[1][2] MD 854B begins at county-maintained Muller Road's eastern terminus adjacent to MD 97 just north of the Morgan Run Natural Environment Area property.

MD 854B widens to 18 feet (5.5 m) in width before intersecting Nicodemus Road, then heads north through farmland on top of a ridge.

The state highway reaches its northern terminus at MD 32 (Washington Road) next to Carroll Community College.