The route is a two- to four-lane undivided highway its entire length, passing mostly through wooded residential neighborhoods.

In 2007, construction began to improve the route in Palisades Park by replacing bridges and widening the road, with work completed in late 2009.

Route 5 begins at an intersection with US 1-9 (North Broad Avenue) in Ridgefield, heading east as a two-lane undivided road through residential areas.

[1] In Palisades Park, the road passes over Delia Avenue and turns south as it heads through wooded residential neighborhoods.

[1][2] It meets the southern terminus of Route 67 (Palisade Avenue) and continues south along that road.

[1] The route descends the New Jersey Palisades on a winding road with hairpin turns, crossing into Edgewater.

[1][2] Pre-1927 Route 10 was legislated in 1916 to run from Paterson east by way of Hackensack and Ridgefield to the Public Service Railway's Fort Lee Ferry at Edgewater.