Jalan Sultan Nazrin was originally called Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. It was named in honour of the crown prince of Perak, Naszrin Muizzuddin Shah. When His Royal Highness ascended the throne as the 35th Sultan of Perak, the road was correspondingly renamed. Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah was created out of a stretch of Jalan Gopeng. The road passes through some of the major cave temples of Ipoh.
Jalan Sultan Nazrin Shah passes through some of the major cave temples of Ipoh. Being such a long road, it branches off on both sides to many more side roads. Among the roads that form junctions with Jalan Sultan Nazrin Shah include Jalan Seruan, Laluan Taman Kinta, Hala Taman Kinta, Jalan Windsor, Jalan Lumba Kuda, Hala Lawan Kuda, Solok Gopeng, Hala Gopeng, Jalan Raja Permaisuri, Jalan Tun Dr Ismail, Persiaran Kampar, Jalan Teh Hian Tat, Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Medan Gopeng, Lorong Gopeng, Jalan Rokam, Persiaran Indah Rokam 1, Persiaran Indah Rokam 4, Jalan Lapangan Terbang, Jalan Rapat Jaya, Jalan Raja Musa Mahadi, Jalan Harilela, Jalan Rapat Baru, Medan Legenda 1, Persiaran Lapangan Siber, Jalan Tuan Sheikh Jamil, Jalan Hj Buyong Bodeen, Persiaran Pulai Timur 8, Medan Pulai 7, Jalan PPSP2, Federal Route 3150, State Route A181, and Exit 137 (Simpang Pulai Interchange) on the North-South Expressway (E1).