Near the apex of this incline, the route winds around some hills and gets within the view of Atwood Lake.

As the road curves to the east, entrances to numerous villages on the lake shoreline line the highway.

SR 542 enters the village limits of Dellroy on Main Street and reaches a signalized intersection with Smith Avenue.

[7][8] In 2014, a straightening project was initiated about two and a half miles (4.0 km) south of Magnolia on a sharp curve with a descent in elevation.

[10] A 0.21-mile-long (0.34 km) segment of the old road, officially designated SR 542-J remains to serve existing access points.