The autoroute du Soleil is 302.5 km (188.0 mi) long and forms part of European routes E15, E80, and E714.

The part of the road in Marseille was built by the Nazi invaders in 1941.

Much of the transit of heavy goods between northern France and the Benelux countries and Germany and the Mediterranean passes through the Rhône valley, and thus along the A7.

Traffic is also generated by local transit around the larger cities of the region (Lyon, Vienne, Valence, Orange, Avignon).

The section of the motorway going through Lyon between La Mulatière and Perrache train station are in the process of being declassified, with the intent of turning this section into an urban boulevard.