The primary function of the freeway is to provide an alternative high-grade route from Lane Cove to Naremburn and to reduce traffic demands on Pacific Highway throughout Sydney's lower north shore, bypassing St Leonards and Gore Hill.

[3] Gore Hill Freeway commences at the interchange of Pacific Highway and Longueville Road at Lane Cove, and heads east as a four-lane, dual-carriageway road, widening to 6 lanes a short distance later east of the ramps to the northern section of Pacific Highway.

It curves to a southeasterly direction before terminating at the interchange at Warringah Freeway and Willoughby Road at Naremburn.

Sound walls were pioneered as both art and architecture incorporating abstract road motifs in bas relief concrete and historical designs by Walter Burley Griffin.

The language reinterprets local aboriginal rock engravings chipped into the ribbed retaining walls.