The landscape traversed by MT 59 is mostly hilly and arid, largely used for open-range grazing; the only major commercial areas are the towns of Broadus and Miles City.

MT 59 continues as Fence Creek Road from the Wyoming state line across the desert for several miles before travelling concurrently with US 212 north.

Passing by the Broadus Airport and the Rolling Hills Golf Course, MT 59 splits off from US 212 and continues northwest and then north through Olive and through meadows.

The route turns west on Main Street, briefly travelling concurrently with I-94 Business (I-94 Bus.)

In 1962, US 212, which had ended in Miles City, was rerouted to absorb former US 312 southwest of Billings, and US 312 was extended southeast to Broadus over former US 212.