[3] Known as the Lower Crooked River Back Country Byway, OR 27 has the distinction of being one of the only state highways in Oregon which is partially paved: out of its 44.79-mile (72.08 km) total length, an 18.5-mile (29.8 km) stretch of the highway is gravel.

OR 27 has its southern terminus at a junction with U.S. Route 20 at Brothers, east of Bend.

There have been numerous proposals over the years to pave the highway in its entirety; but no such projects have been undertaken due to lack of funding.

[citation needed] A small section of the highway was rerouted in 1961 when Prineville Reservoir was created and covered the roadway.

Milepoints are as reported by ODOT and do not necessarily reflect current mileage.