It runs north-east to south-west from M6 junction 36, through the towns of Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness to terminate at Biggar Bank on Walney Island.

This road formed a large part of the southern boundary of the Lake District National Park upon its formation in 1951.

In the mid-1970s, the A591 'Kendal link road' was built between Junction 36 of the M6 and Kendal[4] with an extension of the A590 also being constructed to join this as part of the wider Lancashire expressways plans.

[6] This new stretch of road was constructed to a high environmental standard and achieved a CEEQUAL Award following its opening in Spring 2008.

A one way system opened in April 2008 now applies to the road as it passes closest to the centre of Barrow, with westbound traffic heading towards the town centre at Craven Park roundabout and eastbound traffic continuing through the industrial land alongside Walney Channel.