Turnpike Lane forms part of the A504 route, running roughly east–west for less than one mile.
A small park named Ducketts Common is situated at the eastern end of the road, opposite the Underground and bus stations.
Turnpike Lane is a busy cosmopolitan shopping street and an important traffic thoroughfare.
Speciality shops remain open until late at night, and there are a number of restaurants.
The name Turnpike Lane is also used to refer more generally to the area at the southern end of Wood Green High Road and its surroundings.