The route begins at a junction with Old US 40 in Wadsworth. The highway runs along north following the path of the Truckee River, and passes along the east side of the river's terminus at Pyramid Lake near Nixon. A dry lake with glazing shiny grass also was the terminus of the Truckee river line. Just past where the official designation ends is the turning point off for the former State Route 34, which is used to access the large play of the Black Rock Desert and the site of the annual Burning Man Festival.