It runs 28.36 miles (45.64 km) in a general southwest to northeast direction from U.S. Highway 84 (US 84) in Logansport to LA 175 in Kingston.

From the southwest, LA 5 begins at an intersection with US 84 (Main Street) in Logansport, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) east of the Texas state line at the Sabine River.

Shortly after this junction, LA 5 passes through Gloster and curves to the southeast briefly before resuming a general eastward course.

[6] LA 5 was created with the 1955 Louisiana Highway renumbering,[7] and its route has remained largely the same to the present day.

It rejoined the present alignment directly opposite Jessie Latin Road, turning to the southeast.

It formerly made a zigzag across LA 175 to a point on the Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS) line known as Kingston Station, continuing from there as a local road, Mt.