It follows a cattle droving route northwest from the MacDonnell Ranges area of central Australia to Halls Creek in the Kimberley.

Some parts of the road are prone to severe corrugations, making for an uncomfortable and slow drive at times.

[4] In January 2020, the federal government committed $235 million to upgrade and seal the road.

[5] The Western Australian government committed more than $250 million to sealing its portion of the road in 2022.

[6] The mid-way point, Rabbit Flat, formerly a public roadhouse, was closed indefinitely at the end of 2010, so planning for this journey must take the lack of fuel and supplies into account.