It had previously began at an interchange with Interstate 494 in South St. Paul before the Dakota County portion of the route was turned back to county maintenance in 2020.

Highway 156 generally follows the Mississippi River throughout its route.

The route was renumbered 156 in 1994 when State Highway 56 was shortened to end at Hampton in southern Dakota County.

Nearby Concord Boulevard in Inver Grove Heights (previously State Highway 56 as well) was designated Dakota County Road 56 in 1994.

[3] The section that is Legislative Route 112 south of the St. Paul City limits was removed in 2020, and was subsequently turned back.