The highway runs from its western terminus at U.S. Route 22 approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of New Athens to its eastern terminus at U.S. Route 250 about 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of Harrisville.

Found exclusively in the south eastern portion of Harrison County, State Route 519 was first designated in the late 1930s.

While predominantly a winding rural two-lane highway, State Route 519 serves the community of New Athens, where it intersects State Route 9.

The entirety of State Route 519 is situated within the southeastern quadrant of Harrison County.

There is no portion of this state route that is inclusive within the National Highway System.