The highway travels through highly rural areas of Terrell and Pecos County before entering Fort Stockton.

In Fort Stockton, US 285 shares a short overlap with U.S. Route 385 and meets Interstate 10 before leaving the town.

US 285 has an interchange with Farm to Market Road 1776, which serves the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company test track.

After FM 1776, US 285 takes on a highly rural route until entering Pecos, where the highway meets with Interstate 20.

US 285 briefly runs through Culberson County before crossing the state line into New Mexico.