The route is 291 kilometres (181 mi) long, which during its length, passes several large lakes and intersects with one provincial road, PR 290, just north of Gillam.

From its terminus north of Thompson, Manitoba to the town Gillam, PR 280 is classified as a Class A1 Provincial Route.

Passing a local connector to the shore, the route reaches a junction with the southern terminus of PR 290, which connects to the abandoned settlement of Sundance.

Through the northeastern section of Gillam, the route crosses over the railroad tracks and turn north and west in short order.

[1] Through downtown Gillam, PR 280 reaches a junction with Batnau Road, which marks the eastern terminus of the highway.

[1] In a Canadian Automobile Association survey conducted in April 2015, PR 280 was voted the worst road in Manitoba.

[5] Later that same month, local protestors blockaded the road to demand remediation of its unsafe "potholes and ruts".

A representative of Tataskweyak Cree Nation reported trucks, buses and private vehicles becoming stuck in mud.