It allows direct travel between the Caribbean coast of the country to the northwest canton of La Cruz in Guanacaste Province.

Together with Route 32, it forms the northwest end of the Corredor Noratlántico (North Atlantic Drive), which allows to traverse the country from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean sea.

According to National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models (LANAMME) at the University of Costa Rica, Route 4 is not safe for the high vehicular traffic expected, and an intervention is required for further safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and inhabitants of the small villages along the road.

In Heredia province the route covers Sarapiquí canton (Puerto Viejo, La Virgen, Horquetas districts).

[4] Works were financed by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the central government and municipalities of San Carlos, Grecia, Sarapiquí and the regional North Huetar Special Economic Zone.