The highway loosely parallels, and crosses, the route of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad.

However, trucks are required to use newer alignment (SR 341) due to 15% grades and hairpin curves.

The route begins just south of Gold Hill, at the junction with SR 341.

This highway serves as the main street of Gold Hill and Silver City.

While in Silver City the highway crosses the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, now a heritage railroad that once served as a primary route to transport silver from the mines in Virginia City.