The route serves a state prison north of Ely.

From there, the route follows Lackawanna Road in a southeasterly direction through desert terrain for nearly 3 miles (4.8 km).

SR 490 then cuts through a short mountain gap and turns nearly due south.

After another 3 miles (4.8 km), the route turns easterly at a T-intersection.

[1][2] SR 490 was added to the state highway system on January 17, 1992.