The D2 road connects either directly or via short connectors to the A4 and A5 motorways at Varaždin and Ludbreg (A4) and Osijek (A5) interchanges.

As it does not reach the capital Zagreb nor shares designation with any of the major Pan-European corridors, it carries a more moderate volume of passenger and freight traffic, but it is still often used as an alternative to the tolled motorway.

[6][7] As of 2007 there were plans to upgrade the Osijek southern bypass to an expressway by construction of an additional carriageway, especially since all junctions along the section are already grade separated.

Currently, the only part of the D2 road that has been upgraded to expressway standards is the Osijek southern bypass between Josipovac and Tenjska interchanges.

[11] The most significant traffic volumes are recorded near Varaždin and Osijek as the D2 road serves as their southern bypass.