The highway begins along the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe in the city of Incline Village, at an intersection with SR 28.

Along the western ascent is a view area with directional markers pointing to several notable peaks in the Sierra Nevada range that surround Lake Tahoe.

On the eastern approach to the summit, the highway passes by the Mount Rose Ski Area and features overlooks with views of both Reno and the Washoe Valley.

After several serpentine bends the highway arrives at an area of Reno called Galena.

[4] Rapid growth in the Reno area has put strain on the corridor served by the highway.