In New Orleans, LA 39 is referred to as North Claiborne Avenue, while in St. Bernard Parish, it is known as Judge Perez Drive.

It passes through Davant, Phoenix, Carlisle, Wills Point, and Woodlawn along the Mississippi River before intersecting with LA 3137 in Scarsdale.

The highway then enters New Orleans and splits into one-way streets.

Early Louisiana maps show that the road continued beyond its current southern terminus to Fort St. Philip, yet it is unsure if this road were built and of what quality.

As of 2017, a small portion at the south end is under agreement to be removed from the state highway system and transferred to local control.