The highway begins at the junction with NM 185 in the southwest corner of village of Radium Springs.

The road heads northeast through the residential areas of Radium Springs, passes by Fort Selden State Monument, and after 0.93 miles (1.50 km) crosses railroad tracks of El Paso Subdivision of BNSF Railway.

Continuing northeast NM 157 arrives at I-25, crosses it over a 229.0-foot-long (69.8 m) bridge built in 1966, before reaching its northeastern terminus at intersection with the northbound ramps on the east side of I-25.

The road continues as Doña Ana County Route E 70 past the junction.

[3] The entire route is in Radium Springs, Doña Ana County.