The route follows the Midland Trail for much of its length across central Nevada.

The highway was not extended to the Pacific coast until 1937, mostly following the Midland Trail.

The settlers moving into the area were following the Midland Trail and crossed Howard's Creek first.

The Midland Trail was one of the first organized coast-to-coast trails in the United States.

The road was briefly used for the route of the Midland Trail across eastern Utah.

Later the road would be part of the Midland Trail, and it was added to the state highway system in 1912.

A 1913 law provided state aid to counties to construct the Midland Trail, with a general route defined.

West Virginia's Midland Trail passes by a chemical plant.

It was part of the longer transcontinental Midland Trail.

Prior to 1988, the Midland Trail was heavily traveled, particularly by commercial vehicles, including large trucks transporting coal and timber.