The route is in Jeff Davis and Reeves counties and connects Toyahvale to points farther west along I-10 including Kent and Van Horn.

The road was part of a major route connecting El Paso to central and southern Texas and was accordingly constructed better than its current designation would suggest.

FM 3078 status as a former U.S. highway during construction makes it built beyond the usual standards as a farm to market road.

The road has bridges over all water crossings and no sharp turns or curves allowing a 70-mile per hour speed limit.

[7] The entire portion of US 290 through Toyahvale and Balmorhea, part of which was concurrent with SH 17, did not become a new Interstate business route.