In 1975, it was assigned the name Brigadier General Juan Antonio Lavalleja, a national hero of Uruguay.

[2][3] The distance notation along Route 5 uses the same Kilometre Zero reference as Routes 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and IB, which is the Pillar of Peace of Plaza de Cagancha in the Centro of Montevideo.

Starting from Tres Cruces in Montevideo, Avenida 8 de Octubre runs in a northeast direction and turns into Camino Maldonado in Flor de Maroñas, at the junction with (and south end of) Route 7.

Camino Maldonado continues in a northeast direction and turns into Route 8 in Punta de Rieles, 13 kilometres from Kilometre Zero.

These are the populated places Route 8 passes through, as well as its main junctions with other National Roads.