The idea for the race arose as a legacy event following the creation, in late 2016, of Associação de Municípios da Rota da Estrada Nacional 2, a trans-regional project created by twenty-one municipalities along its route, connecting the cities of Chaves and Faro.

[2] The route of GP Nacional 2 de Portugal connects Portugal north to south, "cutting" the country halfway between west and east and crossing eleven of the eighteen districts, eight provinces, four mountains, eleven rivers and thirty-five municipalities.

Due to Portugal's geography, the early stages are hilly to mountainous before moving further south towards the Beira Baixa region, which are the decisive portions of the race.

The latter, southern part of GP Nacional 2 de Portugal is usually flat and better suited for sprinters.

The leader of the overall general classification receives a yellow jersey (sponsor Rota Estrada Nacional 2).