It connects the nation's largest port in Rijeka, to the Croatian motorway network, as well as to the Rupa and Pasjak border crossings to Slovenia.

The A7 motorway runs near a number of Croatian cities and provides access to Učka Nature Park and, indirectly, to numerous resorts in the Istria and Kvarner Gulf regions.

The motorway is nationally significant because of its positive economic impact on the cities and towns it connects, and because of its contribution to tourism in Croatia.

The first 8.3-kilometre (5.2 mi) sections were completed as a two-lane expressway with grade-separated intersections, in 1988 and 1990, comprising the western arm of Rijeka bypass.

In December 2009, the Diračje–Orehovica section was upgraded to a six-lane motorway, bringing the entire route between Rupa border crossing and Sveti Kuzam interchange to a uniform standard.

Two new sections of the A7 motorway are currently under construction, extending the route eastward into vicinity of Kraljevica, Crikvenica, and Krk Bridge.

The project is, among other goals, aiming to increase traffic along the Croatian part of Pan-European corridor Vb, which connects to the A7 near Rijeka.

[5][6][14][15]As of 2014[update], the motorway spans 42.4 kilometres (26.3 mi) between the Rupa border crossing to Slovenia and Križišće where southbound A7 traffic currently ends at a roundabout connecting to the state roads D8 and D102.

There are two rest areas along the motorway, providing various types of services ranging from parking spaces and restrooms to filling stations and restaurants.

[6] As of October 2010, the motorway has 10 interchanges,[needs update] providing access to a number of towns and cities and to the Croatian state road network.

The system consists of variable traffic signs used to communicate changing driving conditions, possible restrictions, and other information to motorway users.

[20] The A7 motorway runs through hills, rugged coastal terrain, and urban areas, requiring a substantial number of bridges, viaducts, and tunnels along the route.

[3][21][22] Curved overhead sections of the noise barrier are covered with 2,300 square metres (25,000 sq ft) of solar panels with annual electricity production capacity of 248,000 kWh.

The Rupa toll plaza, located on the section reported 240,975 kuna (€ 32,400) collected during a single, peak season, weekend in July.

[28][29] As the A7 motorway route runs through rugged terrain, it utilizes a substantial number of major structures—bridges, viaducts, tunnels, underpasses, flyovers, and culverts.

[32] The first, 8.3-kilometre (5.2 mi) section was completed in July 1988, between Diračje and Orehovica interchange, executed as a two-lane expressway with grade separated intersections.

In May 2006, the motorway extended 6.35 kilometres (3.95 mi) east to Sveti Kuzam, forming the eastern arm of Rijeka bypass, relieving that part of the city from the transit traffic.

In December 2009, the Diračje–Orehovica section was upgraded to six-lane motorway, thus bringing the entire route between Rupa border crossing and Sveti Kuzam interchange to a uniform standard.

[38] Even though Hrvatske autoceste normally develops motorways in Croatia,[19] as of September 2007, Autocesta Rijeka – Zagreb was granted expansion of the concession previously awarded.

[45] However, in June 2023, it was announced by Oleg Butković (Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure) and HAC that the road was planned for completion by 2030 or before, and that the bidding process had started.

The 600 million kuna construction contract was signed between Hrvatske Autocesta and a contractor, a consortium consisting of the Slovenian company Kolektor CPG and the Italian ICM SPA.

Substantial differences observed between AADT and ASDT numbers are usually attributed to the fact that the motorway carries significant tourist traffic to Istria and Kvarner Gulf area.