The eastern terminus is located about four miles (6 km) east of Joliette at the Red River where the highway continues east as Minnesota State Highway 175.

The western terminus is at North Dakota's western border about 12 miles (19 km) west of Fortuna where the highway continues west and turns into Montana Highway 5.

About ten miles later, US 52 continues south into Minot, and ND 5 heads east again.

US 83 and ND 5 run concurrently for 16 miles before US 83 heads north towards Westhope and the Canadian border.

Further east, ND 5 runs concurrently with ND 14 for 8 miles before ND 14 turns north and ND 5 continues towards Bottineau.