It is the third signed designation that Bridge Road has carried, preceded by New York State Route 347 (during the early 1930s) and NY 8 (1930s to the 1960s).

NY 185 originally connected to the Champlain Bridge on its east end; however, that structure was closed and demolished in late 2009.

Most of NY 185 runs along the lowlands around Lake Champlain, making curves at intersections, and heading on relatively flat elevations.

[3] The highway passes to the east of the Crown Point State Historic Site and its campground before ascending up the approach to the Lake Champlain Bridge.

After making a final curve to the northeast, NY 185 begins to cross Lake Champlain by way of the bridge.