 The road was named after Orrong Road in Melbourne, itself an important road in Melbourne's inner south eastern suburbs

Since gazetting Orrong Road has underwent major changes, starting with conversion to dual carriageway in the latter half of the 20th Century.In 1997 the intersection with Great Eastern Highway was converted to an interchange in preparation for the connection to Graham Farmer Freeway.In 2002, before Roe Highway's extension, Orrong Road would terminate at Welshpool Road in the form of a T-junction.