It also connects the residential developments that span its length with several local facilities, as well as major road routes into central Perth.

The road was built in the 1980s to meet suburban demand and was originally proposed on the Metropolitan Region Scheme as a freeway.

During 2018–19, the eastern end of Hepburn Avenue was upgraded to link with a realigned Beechboro Road North at a grade separated roundabout interchange with Tonkin Highway as part of NorthLink WA.

Hepburn Avenue provides direct access to Kingsway City shopping centre in Madeley and St Stephen's School in Duncraig, as well as the Greenwood railway station, which was constructed at the Mitchell Freeway interchange, and opened in January 2005.

Following this intersection Hepburn Avenue runs for 2.2 kilometres (1.4 mi) bordering Padbury to the north and Duncraig to the south and encountering some local roads and providing access to St Stephen’s School, before encountering Mitchell Freeway at a standard diamond interchange.

Hepburn Avenue then heads into the City of Swan LGA, now bordering Cullacabardee to the north and Ballajura to the south.