Dras, located some 170 km (110 mi) from Srinagar at elevation of 3,249 m (10,659 ft), is the first major village east of the Zoji La pass.

[8] Heavy snowfall on the highest passes can block traffic, cutting Leh from Srinagar for some six months each year.

During springtime, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) plows snow and repairs damages caused by landslides.

[11] In the 19th century, under the Dogra rule after Zorawar Singh annexed Ladakh, the route was improved, allowing pony caravans to pass.

[8][11] In 1870, under Maharaja Ranbir Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, a treaty was signed with British Raj, whereby the Jammu and Kashmir state undertook to maintain the road up to the Central Asian border (possibly the Karakoram Pass), allocating annual funds for the purpose.

[8] This highway was used as mobilisation route by the Indian Army during Pakistani occupation of Kargil in 1999, known as Operation Vijay.