The route serves as a connector to Panther Creek State Park.

[2] SR 342 begins inside Panther Creek State Park at the intersection of Panther Creek Park Road and Panther Creek Road.

The route then heads southeast to junction with US 11E and the two routes begin a short 1.2-mile-long (1.9 km) concurrency to and intersection with SR 160 where SR 342 ends.

SR 342 formerly turned south along SR 160 and the two routes then began a short 1.9-mile-long (3.1 km) concurrency.

[2] The entire route is in Hamblen County.