One segment provides connectivity in the Ouachita Mountains, with the other two serving as short industrial access roads.

The longest segment was designated in 1966 and extended thrice, with the two industrial access roads created in 1978 and 1980.

ArDOT estimates the traffic level for a segment of roadway for any average day of the year in these surveys.

The highway runs north through a sparsely populated, forested area, passing east of the Stone Road Glade Natural Area, crossing the Arkansas Southern Railroad, and serving the unincorporated communities of Briar and Muddy Fork before passing into Pike County.

The two routes overlap eastward, crossing the Little Missouri River and running along Lake Greeson.

Continuing north, Highway 389 enters the Ouachita National Forest and passes into Montgomery County.