It is one of the most heavily used routes in the northwest suburbs of Baltimore, as it is used for cross-county travel by motorists between the Pikesville and Randallstown areas.

A new overpass was constructed over the Western Maryland Railway where the Metro Subway would eventually run, and a new section was built that would merge into the old part of Slade Avenue.

Washington, a separate stub of Smith Avenue exists that can be accessed from Falls Road.

The area around this stub is filled with much commercial development, including Meadowbrook Swim Club, which is well known as the location where Michael Phelps swims,[1] and the now-defunct Northwest Ice Rink, that along with Meadowbrook, Phelps is rumored in a plan to purchase.

The best-known transit along this road is the Milford Mill Metro Subway Station in Pikesville.

This line runs between the Old Court Metro Subway Station and the Patapsco Light Rail Stop, traveling along the west side of Baltimore County.

Due to the small size of the streets in the area, buses do not actually enter the light rail station parking lot, and those wishing to transfer must walk a block.