[5] Together with Hume Freeway (until Wallan) and Northern Highway (until Heathcote), it provides an alternative route between Melbourne and Bendigo.

The name 'McIvor' refers to the original name of the Heathcote region, used during the Victorian gold rush.

[7] The passing of the Highways and Vehicles Act of 1924[8] provided for the declaration of State Highways, roads two-thirds financed by the State government through the Country Roads Board.

Eppalock Highway was declared a State Highway in the 1959/60 financial year,[3][9] from Heathcote to Bendigo (for a total of 27 miles), subsuming the original declaration of Kilmore-Heathcote-Bendigo Road as a Main Road.

[5] The entire highway is in the City of Greater Bendigo local government area.