In the sparsely populated high desert of southeastern Oregon, Rome is immediately west of the Owyhee River on U.S. Route 95, approximately 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Burns Junction.

[2] Jordan Creek enters the river slightly downstream of Rome.

[1] According to Oregon Geographic Names, Rome was named by William F. Stine for the nearby geologic formations that suggested the ruined temples of Rome, Italy.

[3] The 100-foot (30 m)-high Rome Cliffs,[4] or "Pillars of Rome" are formations of fossil-bearing clay, measuring about 5 miles (8 km) long, and 2 miles (3 km) wide.

[2] In addition to U.S. Route 95, several high-desert roads converge at or near Rome.