The first section between Paris's Porte de Bercy and Joinville-le-Pont opened in 1974 with a single carriageway.

A second carriageway was added in 1975, and the following sections between Joinville and Metz were opened in 1975 and 1976.

It continues on to some of the major cities of France's northeast, including Rheims and Metz, before terminating in Strasbourg.

Local roads provide a connection to southern Germany.

Its westernmost part between the Périphérique and the A86 ring road in Paris is reputed to be one of the busiest sections of road in Europe, with 257,000 vehicles a day recorded in 2002.