Although a rural gravel road did exist between 93 Mile House and Little Fort previously, construction under the Highway 24 name on the modern route did not begin until 1974.

Highway 24 straddles the boundary between the Cariboo and Thompson-Nicola Regional Districts.

After 9 km (5.6 mi), it passes through the small community of Lone Butte.

The highway then proceeds another 50 km (31 mi) east through the forest and over a large hill before reaching its terminus in Little Fort.

A very scenic drive, the highway follows a historic trail used by the Shuswap people as a trade route and was later developed by the Hudson's Bay Company in the early 19th century to bring furs from northern BC out to Fort Kamloops and the Columbia River.