After running through the downtown area, the route becomes East Main Street and heads east through suburban commercial development in the eastern part of Middletown, passing to the north of Middletown High School and becoming Middletown Odessa Road. The roadway heads south of the Christiana Care Middletown Free-standing Emergency Department before it becomes a divided highway, passing south of a park and ride lot and intersecting the DE 1 toll road at a diamond interchange on the eastern border of Middletown.
As one navigates through the city center, the route turns onto East Main Street and proceeds eastward into suburban commercial areas in Middletown's eastern section, avoiding Middletown High School to the north and joining Middletown Odessa Road. The road then heads south of a medical center before becoming a divided highway, passing near a parking lot and intersecting the DE 1 toll road at an interchange on the eastern boundary of Middletown.