The route is a two-lane undivided road that runs through rural areas in northern Lackawanna County.

A short distance after Rowlands Road, the highway leaves Lackawanna State Park.

PA 524 winds through residences and fields south of East Benton, soon entering the hamlet of Craig.

Crossing under I-81, the highway heads uphill and intersects with PA 347 (Justus Boulevard), which terminates.

[3] When Pennsylvania legislated routes in 1911, the current alignment of PA 524 was not given a number.

In addition, the section of the present route east of PA 347 was also paved.