DE 71 heads to the northwest from US 13 on two-lane undivided Summit Bridge Road, passing through wooded areas with some homes. The road passes to the east of the town of Townsend and intersects Pine Tree Road/Main Street in an area of businesses. Past Townsend, the route continues northwest into farmland, crossing the Appoquinimink River and making a turn to the north. DE 71 enters residential areas as it crosses Deep Creek into the town of Middletown, where it becomes South Broad Street. The road heads north through the town and intersects DE 299 (Main Street) in the downtown area. From this point, the route becomes North Broad Street and passes more homes before running near businesses. DE 71 crosses the Delmarva Central Railroad's Delmarva Subdivision line at-grade and intersects Middletown Warwick Road immediately after.