The state highway runs 3.71 miles (5.97 km) from U.S. Route 13 (US 13) in Painter east to SR 605 at Quinby in southern Accomack County.

SR 182 begins at an intersection with US 13 (Lankford Highway) in the town of Painter.

The state highway follows two-lane undivided Main Street very briefly east of US 13, during which the highway intersects an inactive railroad line.

East of the inactive rail line, SR 182 turns north onto Railroad Avenue, then veers east onto Edmunds Street.

The state highway reaches its eastern terminus at SR 605, which heads north as Bradfords Neck Road and south as Upshur Neck Road through the village of Quinby on Upshur Bay.