The highway is a major trunk road that carries heavy commuter traffic south from the Eastern Outlet to Howrah and Rokeby.

After entering the residential suburb of Howrah, South Arm Highway continues south-east to intersect Shoreline Drive at a large roundabout.

[4] The Southeastern Freeway was intended to run south from the Tasman Highway, to the head of Kangaroo Bay, across the second beach and along through wirksworth, and to Rokeby.

While the earthworks were completed in the first stage, the final one km (0.62 mi) proceeded as single carriageway to the old South Arm Highway alignment.

Completion of the bypass replaced Clarence Street as the major trunk road connecting South Arm and Hobart which passed through Bellerive and Rosny.