It runs in a north-easterly direction, passing under the Midland railway line at the Mount Lawley Subway, and continuing through the residential areas of Maylands and Bayswater After a folded diamond interchange with Tonkin Highway, the road follows the Midland railway line to Bassendean.

[15] This prompted Main Roads to write to other local governments, advising of the request and soliciting their views.

[22] The Midland Junction Municipal Council opposed the renaming, citing "sentimental and practical reasons for the continuance of the use of the old name".

The department refused the request, reasoning that most traffic bound for Midland used the Causeway and travelled on the south side of the Swan River, and that therefore the Perth–Guildford road should not be part of the main highway.

The issue was considered important, as losing the name to the south side of the river would divert traffic away from the old established centres to the north.

[25][26] The conference, held on 7 September 1934, was attended by representatives of the Perth, Bayswater, Bassendean, and Guildford road boards, and the Midland Junction Council.

[28][29] This created a "peculiar situation", as described by the Royal Automobile Club, with roads both north and south of the Swan River proposed to be renamed as Great Eastern Highway.

Despite the name change not being official, some residents along the road through Belmont started describing their properties as located on Great Eastern Highway.

[31] The northern route was also shorter by about two miles (3.2 km), and considered by the local governments to be the "natural entrance to the city", only crossing the Swan River once and not again at the Causeway.

[32] On 8 January 1935, representatives from the local governments north of the river urged Minister for Lands, Michael Troy, to rename the Perth–Guildford road through those areas as Great Eastern Highway.

[39] It has since been realigned to the northern edge of the town centre, with the previous alignment now named Old Perth Road.

[41] During February 2016, work was completed to add additional turning lanes and install guardrails at the intersection with Tonkin Highway[42] On 6 January 2017, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) revealed plans to widen Guildford road from East Parade to Tonkin Highway by up to 10 metres (33 ft).