Known as J. Clyde Morris Boulevard and the Avenue of the Arts,[2] the state highway runs 1.11 miles (1.79 km) from U.S. Route 60 (US 60) east to US 17 and SR 143 within the independent city of Newport News.

In conjunction with US 17, the state highway connects Interstate 64 (I-64) with several cultural institutions, including Christopher Newport University.

SR 312 heads northeast as a four-lane divided highway that crosses over CSX's Peninsula Subdivision.

The state highway passes the Virginia Living Museum before reaching its eastern terminus at US 17 and SR 143, which head southeast concurrently on Jefferson Avenue toward downtown Newport News and Hampton.

SR 143 also heads northwest on Jefferson Avenue toward Williamsburg and US 17 follows the continuation of J. Clyde Morris Boulevard toward I-64 and Yorktown.