N-5 begins at an intersection with US 136 and 1st Street, immediately north of the northern city limits of Deshler.

(US 136 heads east [along with the three historic trails] to quickly connect with the north end of Nebraska Spur 85E and on toward Hebron and Fairbury.

)[1][3] From its southern terminus N-5 heads north for about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) before crossing over the Little Blue River.

Nearly 2 miles (3.2 km) farther north, N-5 crosses over the South Fork Big Sandy Creek.

(From the intersection N-4 heads east toward Carleton and Belvidere and west [along with the three historic trails] toward Daveport.