The highway serves as the southern end for Interstate 27 on the south side of the city.

The highway passes about a mile south of Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport on the north side near the intersection with I-27.

At most interchanges with other highways, there are partial to full access ramps, that directly serve the mainline lanes and/or frontage roads.

[citation needed] The Dixie Chicks reference Loop 289 in "Lubbock or Leave It", a track from their 2006 release Taking the Long Way.

[3] The lyric reads: 'Oh, boy, rave on down Loop 289 / That'll be the day you see me back in this fool's paradise".