ND 3 starts at the South Dakota state line, where it meets SD 45.

The two highways share the road until ND 3 turns right, continuing north towards I-94, passing through Napoleon and Dawson.

At I-94, ND 3 merges and travels westbound for 7.7 miles before exiting the interstate.

Exiting Harvey, ND 3 proceeds north for 42.9 miles where it intersects ND 19 and US 2 in Rugby.

It then meets the end of ND 17 and ND 60 about ten miles north of Rugby, and later, ND 66 near Rolette.