The A34 enters Staffordshire from the West Midlands county south of Cannock. Running north, there is a junction with the A5 before it heads into Cannock town centre itself. It continues northerly to the county town, Stafford. North of Stafford, there is a short spur which leads to the M6 at junction 14.
The mainline of the A34 continues as a dual carriageway towards Stone, where there are junctions with the A51 either side of the town.
Further north, the A34 passes Trentham Gardens as it reaches the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation. There are two grade-separated junctions with the A500 Stoke "D" road. Inside this, the A34 heads into Staffordshire's 2nd largest town, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Here it meets the A52 and A53.
The A34 continues northwards, entering Cheshire near Kidsgrove, just before reaching the A50.