It begins at the Missouri state line southwest of Farmington, where it continues as Missouri Route 81 and ends at Iowa 2 in Farmington.

The route Iowa 81 takes has been in the primary highway system since the 1920s.

The highway heads in a northeasterly direction from that point, passing by Indian Lake Park along the way.

[2] At the time of its designation, the highway was a fully paved road.

[4] The entire route is in Van Buren County.