On July 16, 2021, Nogizaka46 announced the new single "Route 246" for release on July 24, to digital music and streaming platforms exclusively, two months after "Sekaijū no Rinjin yo", a charity single for tribute to hospital workers and people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[1] The full song was aired for first time at the radio show Nogizaka46's All Night Nippon on July 22.

[11] With the concept "current Tokyo", the music video was produced by Maxilla, a creative team who previously produced the group's music video "I See…", shot at Ōsanbashi Pier, Yokohama, and various places in Tokyo in early July.

[12] The music video was uploaded publicly via the group's official YouTube channel on May 11, 2023, as part of Saitō's graduation commemorative project.

[13] Nogizaka46 performed "Route 246" for the first time at TV Asahi's Music Station 3.5 Hours SP on the release date,[3] as well as TBS's CDTV Live!