MD 97 begins at an intersection with US 29 and MD 384 (Colesville Road) in downtown Silver Spring in Montgomery County, heading north on Georgia Avenue, a six-lane divided highway.
From the route’s southern terminus, Georgia Avenue continues south as part of US 29 toward Washington, D.C. MD 97 passes commercial areas of high-rise buildings in Silver Spring before heading into residential neighborhoods.
The route intersects the northern terminus of MD 390 (16th Street), which heads south and becomes 16th Street Northwest upon entering the District of Columbia.
Washington Metro's Red Line begins to run below the route at this point.
It continues north as a six-lane undivided road with reversible lanes through commercial areas before coming to a modified cloverleaf interchange with I-495 (Capital Beltway).

Past this interchange, the road becomes a divided highway again and intersects MD 192 (Forest Glen Road) near the Red Line's Forest Glen station.
MD 97 passes more residences and continues toward Wheaton.
The road heads into business areas again as it intersects MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) near the Westfield Wheaton shopping mall and the Wheaton station along the Red Line.
A short distance later, the road crosses MD 193 (University Boulevard) and continues back into residential areas past that intersection.
 The route heads into a mix of residential and commercial areas as it heads toward Glenmont, where it crosses Randolph Road.
 A short distance later, MD 97 intersects the southern terminus of MD 182 (Layhill Road).

From here, MD 97 turns northwest and passes the Glenmont station terminus of Washington Metro's Red Line before it runs through residential neighborhoods, heading to the northeast of Matthew Henson State Park.
Farther northwest, the route passes businesses near the intersection with the northern terminus of MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) in Aspen Hill.
It turns north again past this intersection and crosses Bel Pre Road.
After crossing Bel Pre Road, the route heads into wooded neighborhoods before it passes through a mix of businesses and houses, with MD 655 running to the west of the road.
MD 97 crosses MD 28 (Norbeck Road) in Norbeck, and continues past some residences where it intersects MD 655A, a short connector that provides access to westbound MD 28.
MD 97 enters more wooded areas and narrows to four lanes, interchanging with MD 200 (Intercounty Connector).
A park and ride lot serving MTA Maryland commuter buses is located at the southwest corner of this interchange.

Past the MD 200 interchange, the ICC Trail runs parallel to the east side of the road.
The route eventually passes parkland and residential areas as it crosses Emory Lane, where the ICC Trail splits to the west along that road.
 The road approaches Olney and passes by residential neighborhoods before heading into a business district at the intersection with MD 108 (Olney Sandy Spring Road).
After this intersection, the road heads into wooded residential areas as a two-lane undivided road and enters Brookeville.
Upon entering Brookeville, MD 97 becomes High Street and passes more residences.
The route makes a left turn onto Market Street and continues through wooded residential areas.
It heads out of Brookeville, with the name changing back to Georgia Avenue.
 The road heads into a more rural setting, with areas of farms, woods, and some residences.
 MD 97 reaches Sunshine, where the road crosses MD 650 (New Hampshire Avenue/Damascus Road).
Past Sunshine, MD 97 resumes through rural areas and enters woodland within Patuxent River State Park as it approaches the Patuxent River.
MD 97 begins at an intersection with US 29 and MD 384 (Colesville Road) in downtown Silver Spring in Montgomery County, heading north on Georgia Avenue, a six-lane divided highway. From the route’s southern terminus, Georgia Avenue continues south as part of US 29 toward Washington, D.C. MD 97 passes commercial areas of high-rise buildings in Silver Spring before heading into residential neighborhoods. The route intersects the northern terminus of MD 390 (16th Street), which heads south and becomes 16th Street Northwest upon entering the District of Columbia. Washington Metro's Red Line begins to run below the route at this point. It continues north as a six-lane undivided road with reversible lanes through commercial areas before coming to a modified cloverleaf interchange with I-495 (Capital Beltway).
Past this interchange, the road becomes a divided highway again and intersects MD 192 (Forest Glen Road) near the Red Line's Forest Glen station. MD 97 passes more residences and continues toward Wheaton. The road heads into business areas again as it intersects MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) near the Westfield Wheaton shopping mall and the Wheaton station along the Red Line. A short distance later, the road crosses MD 193 (University Boulevard) and continues back into residential areas past that intersection.  The route heads into a mix of residential and commercial areas as it heads toward Glenmont, where it crosses Randolph Road.  A short distance later, MD 97 intersects the southern terminus of MD 182 (Layhill Road).
From here, MD 97 turns northwest and passes the Glenmont station terminus of Washington Metro's Red Line before it runs through residential neighborhoods, heading to the northeast of Matthew Henson State Park. Farther northwest, the route passes businesses near the intersection with the northern terminus of MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue) in Aspen Hill. It turns north again past this intersection and crosses Bel Pre Road. After crossing Bel Pre Road, the route heads into wooded neighborhoods before it passes through a mix of businesses and houses, with MD 655 running to the west of the road. MD 97 crosses MD 28 (Norbeck Road) in Norbeck, and continues past some residences where it intersects MD 655A, a short connector that provides access to westbound MD 28. MD 97 enters more wooded areas and narrows to four lanes, interchanging with MD 200 (Intercounty Connector). A park and ride lot serving MTA Maryland commuter buses is located at the southwest corner of this interchange.
Past the MD 200 interchange, the ICC Trail runs parallel to the east side of the road. The route eventually passes parkland and residential areas as it crosses Emory Lane, where the ICC Trail splits to the west along that road.  The road approaches Olney and passes by residential neighborhoods before heading into a business district at the intersection with MD 108 (Olney Sandy Spring Road). After this intersection, the road heads into wooded residential areas as a two-lane undivided road and enters Brookeville. Upon entering Brookeville, MD 97 becomes High Street and passes more residences. The route makes a left turn onto Market Street and continues through wooded residential areas. It heads out of Brookeville, with the name changing back to Georgia Avenue.  The road heads into a more rural setting, with areas of farms, woods, and some residences.  MD 97 reaches Sunshine, where the road crosses MD 650 (New Hampshire Avenue/Damascus Road). Past Sunshine, MD 97 resumes through rural areas and enters woodland within Patuxent River State Park as it approaches the Patuxent River.
Maryland Route 97