The 5.08-mile (8.18 km) long route runs east from Interstate 5 (I-5) in Conway to SR 9 in Lake McMurray.

SR 534 begins at an interchange with I-5 in Conway, located near the mouth of the Skagit River east of Fir Island.

SR 534 travels east and passes an elementary school before it ascends from the Skagit Valley into hilly terrain.

[9] Plans to replace the intersection with a grade-separated interchange were published by the state government in 1968 as part of improvements to I-5 to bring it to Interstate Highway standards.

[10] Construction began in July 1969 and was expected to be completed within two years, but was delayed due to difficulty working with the soil over the winter months.