October Road is set in the same fictional universe as the 1996 film Beautiful Girls, both created by writer Scott Rosenberg drawing on his own life and friendships.

The show was produced through a partnership with GroupM Entertainment, a media agency group within WPP Group that financed the series in exchange for network-wide advertising time on ABC.

After ABC cancelled the show following its second season, the creators wrote and filmed a 10-minute series finale with the cast, which was released exclusively as a special feature on the season 2 DVD on May 5, 2009.

The series recycled elements from Scott Rosenberg's earlier show Going to California, including actor Evan Jones reprising a character named Ikey, and the character Eddie Latekka reappearing but now played by Geoff Stults.

The show referenced Going to California's setting, Bishop Flats, describing it as a neighboring town 'three towns over' from Knights Ridge, and the characters' childhood friend Angela Ferilli was said to have moved there.

Portions of the series were filmed at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, as well as in Newnan, Madison, and Grant Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

ABC initially planned to air only four episodes of the first season before saving two for a second season, but revised this plan on April 2, 2007, allowing the full first season to air through April 26, 2007.

Lindy Booth and Rebecca Field, who played Pizza Girl and Janet respectively, were promoted to full cast members starting with the second season.