It is a routing from Interstate 80 around Halleck, heading south through Secret Pass, to where it meets Ruby Valley Road (State Route 767).

The southeastern portion of SR 229, between the junction of SR 767 and it eastern terminus at US 93, follows the alignment of the Hastings Cutoff,[2] a route which at the time was thought to be a more direct route of the California Trail through the northeastern part of Nevada.

Prior to 1976, SR 229 comprised a portion of State Route 11.

[1] The entire route is in Elko County.

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