It is the only remaining road in the state highway system that is still partially unpaved.

[1] State Highway 74 serves as a north–south route in southeast Minnesota between Chatfield, St. Charles, Elba, and Weaver.

The route continues north again, passing through Whitewater State Park and the town of Elba.

Highway 74 follows, in part, an old route that was one of the first public roads in the Minnesota Territory.

On August 18 and 19, 2007, the flooded Whitewater River destroyed bridges and washed out the roadway in several places.