National road 2 (Poland)

National road 2 (Droga krajowa nr 2, abbreviated as DK2) is an A-class, S-class and GP-class Polish national road, being part of the European route E30 from Cork (Ireland) to Omsk (Russia). The highway traverses through the Lubusz, Greater Poland, Łódź Masovian and Lublin voivodeships. It runs latitudinally.

Permissive axle load
On May 1, 2004, the day Poland joined the European Union, the Regulation of Minister of Infrastructure came into force, under which the movement of vehicles with a single axle load of up to 11.5 t was allowed, at first on the Poznań (Komorniki junction) – Konin (Modła junction) stretch. Since November 15, 2005, the increased carrying capacity has been extended to the entire length of national road 2.

Motorway A2
On Świecko–Konotopa and Warszawa-Lubelska–Mińsk Mazowiecki stretches the route has a status of motorway numbered A2. A toll-free alternative road for the motorway is a national road 92, frequently referred to as the "old 2" (stara dwójka).

Expressway S2
On the section constituting the Southern Bypass of Warsaw, between Konotopa and Warszawa-Lubelska interchanges, the route has the status of an expressway.

Numbering history
Over the years, the route had various numbering:

Major cities and towns along the route

 * Świecko (road 29) – border with Germany
 * Rzepin (road 92) – motorway bypass
 * Poznań (road 5, 11) – motorway bypass
 * Września (road 15, 92) – motorway bypass
 * Konin (Modła) (road 25, 72) – motorway bypass
 * Skierniewice (road 70)
 * Łowicz (road 14, 70, 92)
 * Pruszków – motorway bypass
 * Warsaw (road 7, 8, 61, 79, 17) – expressway bypass
 * Mińsk Mazowiecki (road 50) – motorway bypass
 * Kałuszyn
 * Siedlce (road 63) – bypass
 * Międzyrzec Podlaski (road 19) – bypass
 * Biała Podlaska – bypass
 * Wólka Dobryńska (road 68)
 * Terespol – bypass, border with Belarus

Warsaw
Over the years, the course of national road 2 through Warsaw was changed several times:
 * February 14, 1986–2000: Połczyńska Street – Wolska Street – Marcina Kasprzaka Street – Prosta Street – Ignacego Daszyńskiego Roundabout – Towarowa Street – Artura Zawiszy Square – Raszyńska Street / Andrzeja Kryckiego Street – Wawelska Street – Armii Ludowej Avenue – Łazienkowski Bridge – Stanów Zjednoczonych Avenue – Ostrobramska Street – Płowiecka Street – Bronisława Czecha Street
 * 2000–2014: Połczyńska Street – Wolska Street – Marcina Kasprzaka Street – Prymasa Tysiąclecia Avenue – Jerozolimskie Avenue – Mieczysława Grzymały-Sokołowskiego Street – Kopińska Street – Wawelska Street – Armii Ludowej Avenue – Łazienkowski Bridge – Stanów Zjednoczonych Avenue – Ostrobramska Street – Płowiecka Street – Bronisława Czecha Street – Trakt Brzeski Street
 * 2014–December 22, 2020: Polskiej Organizacji Wojskowej Avenue – Legionów Piłsudskiego Avenue – Puławska Street – Dolina Służewiecka Street – Generała Władysława Sikorskiego Avenue – Wincentego Witosa Avenue – Józefa Becka Avenue – Siekierkowski Bridge – Generała Bolesława Wieniawy-Długoszewskiego Avenue – Płowiecka Street – Bronisława Czecha Street – Trakt Brzeski Street
 * December 22, 2020–December 20, 2021: as above and the southern bypass between Warszawa Wilanów junction and Lubelska interchange
 * from December 20, 2021: entire route of southern bypass

Near Mińsk Mazowiecki
Between the crossing with national road 17 in Warsaw and the junction with national road 50 in Stojadła the national road 2 was completely a priority road (19.4 km). In 2011 alterations were made on this section – the traffic signals were installed and in Dębe Wielkie a roundabout has been built.

In August 2012 a motorway bypass of Mińsk Mazowiecki has been opened and the course of road 2 was assigned to that route. On December 17, 2012, by the ordinance of General Director of National Roads and Highways, the old route Choszczówka Stojecka – Mińsk Mazowiecki – Ryczołek (Kałuszyn) was renumbered as the national road 92. In March 2021, by the ordinance of General Director of National Roads and Highways, the section between crossing with national road 17 on the border of Warsaw and Zakręt and Choszczówka Stojecka was renumbered as the national road 92. From east of Mińsk Mazowiecki up to Siedlce (including bypass of the city), the road 2 is completely a priority road (over 50 km).

Kilometrage
The table below contains information about the kilometrage of the route. It is based on the data published by General Directorate for National Roads and Highways. It may contain not entirely precise data.