It is partial ring road skirting the southern suburbs of the city, from the N22 west of Ballincollig, via the Jack Lynch Tunnel under the River Lee, to the Dunkettle Interchange where it meets the N25 and N8/M8.

The National Transport Strategy envisages building a "Cork North Ring Road" to complete the circuit in the 2030s.

The South Ring Road continues east, overpassing Douglas and meets the N28 to Ringaskiddy (Carr's Hill) at The Bloomfield Interchange.

On 4 August 2006, a 2.5 km (1.6 mi)[citation needed] flyover of the Kinsale Road Roundabout was opened to traffic 6 months ahead of schedule.

There could potentially be exits for Glanmire, Mayfield, the completed M20 motorway and Ballincollig with the new Cork North Ring Road.