PR 588 serves as a collector road for the surrounding rural areas and is also used to access Whitefish Lake.

A southern leg of this route used to extend from PR 275, four miles west of the junction with the still-existing northern leg, to PTH 83 near Benito.

Furthermore, PR 588 used to go around Lambert's hill because it was so steep, but the grade has since been cut down.

Part of the southern leg is now signed as PR 487.

The other part is maintained by the Municipality of Swan Valley West.