The expressway derives its name from the combination of two one-character Chinese abbreviations of both Ningbo and Zhoushan (Ningbo−Yong, Zhoushan−Zhou).

Starting from the Qianyang hub on the Ningbo Ring Expressway and ending on the National Highway G329 at Yadanshan Dock, the road can be divided into two parts.

[3] The section from Qianyang to Baoguosi have a length of 7 kilometers, began construction in 2005[4] and finished on December 26, 2007.

[5] The section from Baoguosi to Jiaochuanhave a length of 13 kilometers, began construction on February 27, 2008[6] and finished in the end of 2010.

[12] Bridges in Yongzhou Expressway are built on straits near the Port of Ningbo, where there is a high volume of sea traffic.

[13] On January 6, 2009, a construction ship registered in Lianyungang collided with the Taoyaomen Bridge, however, there was no significant damage.

Though the damage was only minor, the accident delayed the opening of the expressway from November 22 until December 25.

[15] After the expressway was opened to traffic, every vehicle traveling on the expressway from Jiaochuan to Zhoushan was required to pay RMB 10 as the Zhoushan Island Vehicle Fee (also called island entrance fee by local residents).

The administrators state that this fee is used for compensating the construction expenditure of roads in Zhoushan, especially the expressway.

[16] As of June 2010, Zhoushan residents are free from this toll, but vehicles from other regions still need to pay the fee.