The highway runs from the US 54 expressway junction near Osage Beach in Miller County in the east to Route MM (near the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge, originally a toll bridge) in Camden County.

Construction for the project did not start at the time due to lack of funding.

[2] The west end of Missouri Route 242 begins at the intersection of Horseshoe Bend Pkwy and Route MM, a road which leads to the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge and subsequent toll plaza.

Continuing east, the road intersects with Fish Haven Road before reaching the intersection of Bagnell Dam Boulevard.

The road continues for about a half-mile (800 m) more,[1] where it allows access to both directions of US 54 through an interchange.