The route is a continuation of PA 97 along the Perry Highway and ends at U.S. Route 20 (US 20) in Erie as Glenwood Park Avenue.

In the suburbs of the city of Erie, PA 505 runs northward as Perry Highway (named for Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of the Battle of Lake Erie) and Glenwood Park Avenue through residential areas, between PA 97 and US 19.

North of the park, the highway runs through residential areas and ends in the downtown district of the city, at an intersection with US 20.

By 1940, the route was moved to its current designation.

[3][4] The entire route is in Erie County.