The route was originally designated on January 14, 1941, as the part of the highway from Freer to a point approximately ten miles south of Benavides.

A short portion of the route, less than a mile of the road south of Benavides, was cancelled from the designation on October 25, 1954.

On August 29, 1990, the highway assumed its present configuration with the southward extension to SH 285, transferred from Farm to Market Road 1345.

The highway then proceeds almost directly south to its final junction with SH 285 midway between Falfurrias and Hebbronville.

Most of the terrain covered by the highway is sparsely populated ranch country.