It is one of the city's oldest and most important roads and is part of both the Trans-Canada and Yellowhead Highways.

Route 85 ends at the Perimeter Highway interchange; however, Portage Avenue and PTH 1 continue to the official city limit and into Headingley.

A six-lane road for its entire length, Route 85 passes by major destinations such as Winnipeg Square, Canada Life Centre, Portage Place, Polo Park Shopping Centre, and the University of Winnipeg.

[3] Portage Avenue East, which extends approximately 200 meters southeast from the Portage and Main intersection to Westbrook Street near Shaw Park, is not part of Route 85 or the Yellowhead Highway.

The origin of the route stems from its use as a part of an old Red River ox cart trail.