The roadway intersects Texas State Highway 63 (SH 63) and U.S. Route 96, and helps form part of the Sam Rayburn Dam.

[3] RE 255 continues, passing several homes and the small Gregory Cemetery as well as intersecting several county roads and slowly bending east.

The route continues easterly, passing through a large forest and intersecting CR 3725 before crossing the Neches River and exiting Tyler County.

After a short distance, it crosses over a small relief creek for the Neches River and continues through heavily forested rural areas before turning slightly southeast.

The road bends northeastward, passing through the small Overlook Park and continuing northeast along the dam.

[3] The dam ends after approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and the highway exits Angelina National Forest and enters Twin Dikes Park.

[8] The roadway continues, taking a large bend southeast and intersecting several local roads that lead to the reservoir.

The highway proceeds southeasterly, passing several small homes and businesses that make up a portion of the community of Sam Rayburn.

RE 255 proceeds northeast for a short distance before shifting eastward through Rayburn Country and intersecting FM 1007.

[7][10] The highway intersects a couple of county routes and turns east before crossing over a small cove on the Toledo Bend Reservoir.

RE 255 passes the Shady Oaks Marina and the Sam Forse Collins Recreational Area before reaching its eastern terminus at an at-grade intersection with FM 692.

On September 27, 1960, FM 255 was extended 4.4 miles (7.1 km) northeastward to the McGee Bend Dam on Lake Sam Rayburn.

FM 255 was extended on June 15, 1961 along a road that traveled along the McGee Bend Dam to an intersection with US 96.

In 1971, the modern bridge crossing over the small Indian Creek, located in western Jasper County, was constructed.

[1] In 1976, the current bridge crossing the small Rocky Creek in western Newton County was constructed.

[b] The final portions of FM 255 was transferred to RE 255 on September 15, 1978, adding approximately 27.9 miles (44.9 km) to RE 255.

RE 255 Spur began at an intersection with RE 255 near Beans Community, inside the southern edge of Angelina National Forest.