The two-lane state highway heads west, making numerous S curves in a wooded area.

[2] MS 481 continues in a general westerly direction, through a more forested area, until turning north at the settlement of Trenton.

As MS 481 continues to head north, it reaches Interstate 20 (I-20) at a diamond interchange (exit 80) with no traveler's services provided in the vicinity.

The state highway formally exits the national forest before curving to the west at the community of Branch.

[9][10] The rerouting led to the removal of a 0.7-mile-long (1.1 km) section of road, still officially named "Hwy 481 N," from the state highway system.