As it appeared when it was first designated in 1924, State Route 168 followed what is currently the portion of State Route 87 between State Route 168's current northern terminus in Burton and the State Route 45 in the unincorporated community of North Bloomfield, while State Route 87 was routed along the entirety of the current State Route 168 from Burton to Parkman.
In 1924, when it was first established, State Route 168 traversed a portion of what is now State Route 87 between its current northern endpoint in Burton and the unincorporated community of North Bloomfield on State Route 45. Concurrently, State Route 87 covered its entire length from Burton to Parkman.