The route begins at the Arkansas–Missouri state line as a continuation of Arkansas Highway 101, and travels northeastward.

[1] The road travels through a forest and parallel to the state line for the first 0.5 miles (0.80 km).

The road enters the center of the city at Main Street and curves northward at the western terminus of Route 142.

The road enters through a mix of farmland and forests as it continued through southeast Ozark County.

[8][9] It was renumbered to Route 101 in 1941, part of many changes made by the Missouri State Highway Commission.