PA 194 begins at the Maryland border in Germany Township, Adams County, where the road continues south into Maryland as MD 194. From the state line, the route heads northeast on two-lane undivided Frederick Pike, passing through agricultural areas with a few residences and patches of woods. PA 194 turns northeast and enters the borough of Littlestown, running past a few businesses and heading into residential areas as King Street. The road heads east-northeast into the commercial downtown and intersects PA 97. Past this area, the route passes more homes and leaves Littlestown for Union Township, becoming Hanover Pike. PA 194 continues into farmland with some woods and residences, turning northeast again. The road passes through Lefevre and crosses the South Branch of the Conewago Creek into Conewago Township. The route runs through more agricultural surroundings and passes through Mount Pleasant.