It begins at Iowa 13 northeast of Elkader and ends at U.S. Highway 52 (US 52) north of Garnavillo.

The highway was originally part of Iowa 56 before becoming its own route.

It passes through rolling farmland on the western edge of the Driftless Area, a geologically distinct area of northeastern Iowa characterized by undulating terrain, high bluffs, and low river valleys.

That road began in West Union and traveled east to Elkader, where it was joined by No.

20 and headed southeast to its eastern end in Guttenberg.