Beginning at the southern terminus with US 59 in Holt County, the highway travels approximately five miles east and curves northward at its intersection with Route B.

Immediately after, it reverts to north and comes into Skidmore where it junctions with Route D at the town center.

After a right turn at the stop sign, the highway travels east through the town and curves northward again after exiting, where it intersects with Route V. Thereafter, it crosses Florida Creek after two miles, then another two it intersects with Missouri Route 46.

Then it travels north-northwest almost three miles until it passes through the sleepy hamlet of Quitman.

After a large sweeping right and then left curve, the highway continues north about 3.5 miles to its northern terminus in Burlington Junction with US 136.