MD 317 begins at an intersection with MD 313 (Greensboro Road) in Oil City.
 The state highway heads east as a two-lane undivided road through farmland.
 MD 317 crosses Webber Branch before the old alignment, Ruritan Road, splits to the northeast as the highway approaches Burrsville.
 The old alignment, now part of Knife Box Road, crosses MD 317 again shortly before the Delaware state line.
 The highway continues east as DE 14 (Vernon Road) toward Harrington.
MD 317 begins at an intersection with MD 313 (Greensboro Road) in Oil City.  The state highway heads east as a two-lane undivided road through farmland.  MD 317 crosses Webber Branch before the old alignment, Ruritan Road, splits to the northeast as the highway approaches Burrsville.  The old alignment, now part of Knife Box Road, crosses MD 317 again shortly before the Delaware state line.  The highway continues east as DE 14 (Vernon Road) toward Harrington.
Maryland Route 317