The road begins in the border city of Tijuana, where it continues northward as Interstate 5 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Much of it follows or passes near the route of Portola's march from Loreto to San Diego during the establishment of the Spanish missions in Baja California.

1, due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, has the lowest possible odd number designation, and intersecting east–west federal highway corridors usually conform to this pattern.

The third segment comprises 128 kilometres (80 mi) from San Quintín to the Parador Punta Prieta junction.

A final segment stretches 128 kilometres (80 mi) from Punta Prieta to the border of the state of Baja California Sur near Guerrero Negro.

Continuing south into the two Mexican states that comprise the Baja California peninsula, Guerrero Negro is the nearest community to the point where Fed.

The route continues southward past Puerto Escondido and gains altitude at Sierra de la Giganta, then veers southwest and through agricultural lands and Ciudad Constitución.