National route N3 | ||||
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Route information | ||||
Maintained by SANRAL, N3TC, eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality[1] | ||||
Length | 578 km (359 mi) | |||
Major junctions | ||||
Southeast end | Pine Street/Commercial Road in Durban | |||
N2 in Durban N11 near Ladysmith N5 at Harrismith N17 near Germiston N12 near Germiston N12 at Bedfordview | ||||
Northwest end | N1 near Sandton | |||
Location | ||||
Country | South Africa | |||
Provinces | KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Gauteng | |||
Major cities | ||||
Highway system | ||||
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The N3 is a national route in South Africa that connects Johannesburg and Durban,[1] respectively South Africa's largest and third-largest cities. Johannesburg is the financial and commercial heartland of South Africa, while Durban is South Africa's key port and one of the busiest ports in the Southern Hemisphere and is also a holiday destination. Durban is the port through which Johannesburg imports and exports most of its goods. As a result, the N3 is a very busy highway and has a high volume of traffic.