Throughout most of Montgomery County, MD 97 is known as Georgia Avenue, which continues south from the southern terminus along US 29 into Washington, D.C.

It is a suburban four- to six-lane divided highway from Silver Spring north to Olney.

From here, the route continues as a rural two-lane undivided road north through Brookeville and into Howard County.

In 1956, MD 97 was extended north from Cooksville to the Pennsylvania border northwest of Emmitsburg, Frederick County.

MD 97 runs through the Washington, D.C. suburbs in Montgomery County, connecting several communities including Silver Spring, Wheaton, Glenmont, Norbeck, and Olney.

[1][2] From the route’s southern terminus, Georgia Avenue continues south as part of US 29 toward Washington, D.C. MD 97 passes commercial areas of high-rise buildings in Silver Spring before heading into residential neighborhoods.

It continues north as a six-lane undivided road with reversible lanes through commercial areas before coming to a modified cloverleaf interchange with I-495 (Capital Beltway).

[1][2] A short distance later, the road crosses MD 193 (University Boulevard) and continues back into residential areas past that intersection.

[1][2] From here, MD 97 turns northwest and passes the Glenmont station terminus of Washington Metro's Red Line before it runs through residential neighborhoods, heading to the northeast of Matthew Henson State Park.

Farther northwest, the route passes businesses near the intersection with the northern terminus of MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) in Aspen Hill.

A park and ride lot serving MTA Maryland commuter buses is located at the southwest corner of this interchange.

[2][5] Past the MD 200 interchange, the ICC Trail runs parallel to the east side of the road.

The route eventually passes parkland and residential areas as it crosses Emory Lane, where the ICC Trail splits to the west along that road.

Continuing north past Brookeville, the road heads into a more rural setting, with areas of farms, woods, and some residences.

[1][2] From here, the road winds through a mix of woods, farm fields, and residences before crossing the South Branch of the Patapsco River.

A short distance later, the route intersects MD 26 (Liberty Road) at a folded diamond interchange in Dorsey Crossroads.

The road passes east of the Carroll County Regional Airport before heading into a mix of farmland and residences.

[1][2] A short distance later, MD 97 reaches the Pennsylvania border, where the road becomes PA 97 and continues north into Adams County.

[19] In 1956, MD 97 was extended north to PA 16 at the Pennsylvania border northwest of Emmitsburg, Frederick County.

[26] In 1977, plans were made for US 140 to be decommissioned, with MD 97 to replace the section between Westminster and the Pennsylvania border, where it would connect to PA 97.

[28] The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials approved the removal of the US 140 designation on October 28, 1977.

[5] An interchange was built at the route’s intersection with Randolph Road in order to improve movements for automobiles as well as for pedestrians and bicycles accessing the nearby Glenmont Metro station.

[33] On September 25, 2018, a groundbreaking was held for a $47.6 million project to build a relocated MD 97 around Brookeville, with Governor Larry Hogan in attendance.