It is an east–west route for the entirety of its 10-mile (16 km) length, though its true direction is more north–south.

It heads southeasterly from its western terminus at a junction with US 180 northwest of St. Johns.

The eastern terminus of the highway is located at a junction with SR 61 near the community of Concho.

SR 180A now serves as a bypass route for eastbound traffic wishing to avoid St. Johns.

The route was established by the Arizona Department of Transportation in 1974.