The highway connects rural areas of Trigg and Christian counties with Hopkinsville.

KY 272 begins at an intersection with US 68/KY 80 (Canton Road) southwest of Cadiz, within Trigg County.

It travels to the east and immediately intersects the northern terminus of KY 1062 (Maple Grove Road).

KY 272 curves to the northeast and passes Jennie Stuart Medical Center.

It curves to the southeast and meets its eastern terminus, an intersection with KY 107 (South Virginia Street/South Main Street) on one-way pairs.