The eastern terminus is at the junction of State Route 7 and State Route 558 approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the village of Rogers.

Established in the late 1930s, State Route 517 runs exclusively within Columbiana County, traversing through mainly rural terrain in the central and northeastern portions of the county.

State Route 517, which lies entirely within the northeastern portion of Columbiana County, is not included within the National Highway System, a network of routes deemed most important for the economy, mobility and defense of the nation.

[2] The route itself is only 8.5 miles long (13.68 km) and travels from Lisbon to East Fairfield, which is the quickest route between the two.

It intersects with various other routes and is home to much residential housing.