It connects Tokyo's Inner Circular Route in central Tokyo to the Ueno area and Ueno Station, a major rail hub, and National Route 4, which connects the Kantō region to the Tōhoku region.

From this southern terminus, it travels northeast out of Chūō City, crossing in to Taitō.

Every exit and entrance point to the expressway beyond Edobashi Junction connects directly to National Route 4, which links the expressway to the rest of the local street network.

From there, the roadway continues north solely as National Route 4, leaving the Shuto Expressway network.

[2] The first section of the Ueno Route between Edobashi and Honchō was opened to traffic on 21 December 1963.