SR 273 extends northeasterly from its origin, skirting along the north side of Weiss Lake.

The two-lane route has numerous curves as it passes through rural areas in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Lookout Mountain rises to the northwest of the Route and is visible for essentially the entire length of the road.

Numerous small churches dot the roadside, predominantly United Methodist.

The only waterway crossed which is identified by a roadsign sign is the Little River (milepost 9) which descends Lookout Mountain and passes through DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve.