Until the resigning of a previously unsigned highway in 2019, the route's northern terminus was an interchange with MN 62 in Inver Grove Heights.

MN 3 then roughly follows the Cannon River toward Northfield, with gentle curves through alternating wooded areas and open farmland.

After passing through the Northfield area, MN 3 travels a primarily straight route through open fields heading toward Farmington.

This portion of the route passes by housing developments, farm fields, and a gravel and sand mining operation.

MN 3 parallels a rail line through Eagan, and travelling through Inver Grove Heights, the road passes through a heavily wooded area with many sharp turns.

It continues northbound, passing through rolling, wooded hills over a mostly straight path to its junctions at I-494 and MN 62.

The studies authorized a new maximum allowed speed limit of 60 mph from Faribault to the south end of Rosemount.