On January 7, 1948 the route assumed its current form as the designation was extended east from Memphis to the junction with US 83.

The highway's western terminus is the intersection with SH 207 at Silverton in Briscoe County.

The route then runs past Caprock Canyons State Park and turns toward the northeast, where it junctions with SH 70.

After a brief co-routing with SH 70, the highway continues east through Lakeview to a junction with US 287 in Memphis.

Counties traversed by the highway include Briscoe, Hall and Childress.