It serves as part of an alternate route between Whiteville and Conway, South Carolina, through southeastern Columbus County.

After its six-tenths-mile (0.97 km) concurrency with NC 904, it continues solo for 15.1 miles (24.3 km), connecting the communities of Bug Hill and Nakina, until it ends at NC 130 in Pleasant Plains.

From 1958 to 2016, it was the highest number signed as a primary route in North Carolina.

NC 905 was established around 1958 as an extension of SC 905, which had ended at the state line since around 1942.

Its route from Olyphic to Pleasant Plains has remained unchanged since.