The route connects the town of Jeanerette with the rural area along LA 83, which serves the Port of New Iberia and leads to the salt domes of Weeks Island.

After 0.5 miles (0.80 km), the route leaves Lydia, and the surroundings abruptly change to rural farmland with scattered residential development.

Shortly afterward, LA 85 passes through an interchange with US 90 (the future corridor of I-49), which connects to Lafayette on the northwest and Morgan City on the southeast.

After 1.0 mile (1.6 km), LA 85 crosses the BNSF/Union Pacific Railroad tracks at grade and enters the residential area of Jeanerette.

The route ends seven blocks later at an intersection with LA 182 (Main Street), the principal highway through town.

[2] In the original Louisiana Highway system in use between 1921 and 1955, the modern LA 85 was initially part of three different routes designated by the state legislature between 1928 and 1930.

[15][16] La DOTD is currently engaged in a program that aims to transfer about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of state-owned roadways to local governments over the next several years.