The oldest section of Idylwyld Drive used to be known as Avenue A, the easternmost of the "lettered" north-south streets.

The freeway crossed the river at the bridge and connected at 20th Street to Avenue A, renamed Idylwyld Drive.

North of 25th Street, residential dominates the west side of the street, with a mix of hotels, motels, schools and institutional uses, including the Saskatoon campus of Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formerly called SIAST Kelsey Campus).

North of Circle Drive, the street elevates to freeway status and passes through suburban commercial and industrial regions until it exits the city.

Beginning with its intersection with 20th Street and continuing north to the city limits, Idylwyld Drive serves as the dividing line for designating "East" and "West" addresses for the west side of Saskatoon (the remnant of Avenue A serves the same purpose south of 20th).