Aside from its important role in city infrastructure, the tree lined sides of Memorial Drive serve as a living testament to the many local soldiers who died during World War I and give it a parkway look on the western section.

[1] An active path system also runs along the south side of Memorial Drive, beside the banks of the Bow River.

Memorial Drive officially begins at an interchange with Crowchild Trail in the northwest, serving as an eastern extension of Parkdale Boulevard (which, along with 3 Avenue NW, is an extension of the arterial connector Bowness Road), though the signage at 16 Avenue NW shows eastbound Bowness Road as Memorial Drive.

City planners have made provisions for Memorial Drive to eventually connect with Stoney Trail.

East of 36 Street E,[5] Memorial Drive serves as the boundary between the Northeast and Southeast quadrants of the city.