Bradfield Highway commences at the interchange with Warringah Freeway and Lavender Street in North Sydney and heads in a southerly direction as an eight-lane multi-carriageway road, crossing Port Jackson over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, before shortly terminating at the interchange with Western Distributor and Cahill Expressway, at the former southern toll plaza at the southern foot of the bridge, at Millers Point.

Lane six was also reversed prior to 1990 during the evening rush hour, giving a 6 × 0 flow, however this no longer occurs because of changes made to Warringah Freeway to accommodate the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

[4] Bradfield Highway is still designated as a stock route, and livestock can still be herded across the Sydney Harbour Bridge if properly arranged by a grazier.

Amid some controversy, Bradfield was also considered to be the co-designer of the bridge's arch design, along with Dorman Long and Sir Ralph Freeman.

[6]: Construction of the Warringah Freeway (image)  In August 1992 the Sydney Harbour Tunnel opened which helped to relieve congestion on Bradfield Highway.