It runs from U.S. Highway 138 (US 138) and US 385 in Julesburg to the Nebraska state line.

SH 11 begins at an intersection with US 138-385 at the west city limits of Julesburg and proceeds almost directly north to the state line.

SH 11 thus provides the shortest connection from I-80 to Julesburg, which appears on signs for exit 95.

However, instead of skirting the western edge of Julesburg, SH 51 crossed US 138 on Cedar Street and then zigzagged on Fifth, Sycamore, and Ninth Streets to current SH 11 about 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) north of US 138.

In 1970-1971 the road was returned to the state highway system as SH 11.