This is a primary Saskatchewan highway maintained by the provincial government and is paved for its length.

Located along the highway are the communities of Kelvington, Nut Mountain, Okla, Lintlaw, Ketchen, Preeceville,[2] Sturgis, Norquay, Pelly, and Arran.

Less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after crossing into Manitoba, the highway terminates at PTH 83 three kilometres (1.9 mi), south of Benito.

North of Pelly on the Swan River, and accessed from a road off Highway 661, is Fort Livingstone.

Prior to 1947, PTH 49 was part of Manitoba Highway 6, which extended via Benito to Swan River, Dauphin, and Minnedosa.