The commandery was carved out of the Jibei Kingdom during Emperor Jing of Han's reign.
Pingyuan administered 19 counties and marquessates in late Western Han, including Pingyuan (平原), Ge (鬲), Gaotang (高唐), Chongqiu (重丘), Pingchang (平昌), Yu (羽), Ban (般), Leling (樂陵), Zhu'e (祝阿), Yuan (瑗), Eyang (阿陽), Luoyin (漯陰), Li (朸), Fuping (富平), Ande (安德), Heyang (合陽), Louxu (樓虛), Longpou (龍哣), and An (安).
Pingyuan consisted of 9 counties, namely Pingyuan, Gaotang, Ban, Ge, Zhu'e, Leling, Shiyin (濕陰), Ande and Yanci (厭次) in 140 AD.
During Emperor Ming of Song's reign, it was conquered by Northern Wei.
In Sui and Tang dynasties, Pingyuan Commandery became the alternative name for De Prefecture.