It is the first major north–south highway east of Interstate 35 in the Des Moines metropolitan area.

Just north of the interchange is Army Post Road, a former alignment of Iowa Highway 5.

Iowa 28 crosses the Raccoon River just south of Railroad Avenue in West Des Moines.

Iowa 28 continues north along the Urbandale / Des Moines city limit line before ending at exit 131 of Interstate 35 / Interstate 80 at the Johnston / Urbandale city limit line.

In 1990 it was extended northward its current northern end when Iowa Highway 401 was turned over to local jurisdictions.