The eastbound mainline sits higher than the westbound and features two lookouts, Ojo de Aguila and El Caminero.

The former opened in 2013 with an 867,000 peso investment from the highway and state cultural authorities, as well as a sculpture designed by artist Óscar Ortega.

Westbound and eastbound join east of the mountain at La Cuesta, which features a lookout and military inspection station; in 2015, the regional chapter of the National Confederation of Truck Drivers complained that military inspection stations in Sonora and Baja California added significant time to their itineraries.

[4] On some days, due to winding roads and poor road conditions of Highway 2D, it is faster to travel between Tijuana and Mexicali through San Diego, California and Interstate 8 (Kumeyaay Highway) in California, if traffic volume of both San Ysidro Port of Entry and Calexico West Port of Entry are low.

The 73 kilometres (45 mi) highway between Santa Ana and Altar, operated by the state government, is tolled, with cars being charged 105 pesos to use the road.