The A660 is approximately 10 miles (16 km) long, and crosses the watershed from Airedale to lower Wharfedale.

It suffers from high congestion, and there were historic plans to create a Headingley bypass.

[1] Many students live near the road, and its many licensed premises host the Otley Run pub crawl.

The road passes east of the main part of Bramhope village, and the next major intersection is the A658 Bradford to Harrogate road: Pool Bank is a steep hill leading north-east from this junction down to Pool-in-Wharfedale.

In 1836 the trustees commissioned George Hayward to design a new route to bypass the steep slopes of The Chevin.

The necessary Act of Parliament was passed in 1837, and the new stretch of road was opened in 1842, following today's route along the north side of the hill.

[3] Fittingly, the number 1 bus service operated by First Leeds still runs on a route which includes the A660 from the city centre past Headingley and Lawnswood before turning off towards Holt Park.