The southern section connects State Road 66 (SR 66) at the town of Troy to State Road 62 in Saint Meinrad.

The northern section connects State Road 164 (SR 164) with State Road 56 (SR 56) in eastern Dubois County, passing the town of Dubois.

From the southern terminus SR 545 heads north.

[2] From the southern terminus of the northern section SR 545 heads northeast, then back northwest towards Dubois.

This section of the highway is named for Indiana State Representative Dennis Heeke, who lobbied for the extension of the route from the town of Dubois south to SR 164.