The Makkah Third Ring Road is now open along its western link, cutting the drive from the Prince Mut’ab intersection to the Grand Mosque from 16.5 km to 6.5 km. The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites announced the opening on 27 October 2026 and says travel times to the Haram and to the Jamarat in Mina can fall by up to about 90%.
For the many expat families in Jeddah, Taif and Makkah itself who drive in for Umrah or Friday prayers, this changes the route into the city.
What opened on the Makkah Third Ring Road
The new section completes the western part of the Third Ring Road, one of four ring roads around Makkah. It runs from the Prince Mut’ab intersection to the Masjid al-Haram intersection, passing the Prince Sultan intersection.
The Royal Commission has published these figures:
| Route from Prince Mut’ab intersection | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| To the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) | 16.5 km | 6.5 km |
| To the Jamarat facility in Mina | 12 km | 4 km |
- Capacity: up to 170,000 vehicles a day in both directions.
- Areas served directly: Al-Mursalat and Al-Aziziyah.
- Travel time: up to about 90% shorter, according to the Commission’s project impact indicators.
The distance cut is about 60% to the Haram and about 67% to the Jamarat. The bigger 90% time saving reflects the Commission’s estimate of avoided congestion, not just fewer kilometres. It has not published the minute figures behind it.
This builds on September’s work. On 26 September the Commission opened an extra 1.5 km of the same corridor, along with the remaining stretch of Prince Saud Al Faisal Road between the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Axis and Abdulqader Koshak Street.
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Who benefits
The clearest winners are residents of Al-Aziziyah and Al-Mursalat, where many expat workers and hotel staff live, and anyone heading to the Haram from the eastern side of the city. In practice, the stretch between Aziziyah and the central area is where Umrah traffic has always crawled, especially on Thursday nights and Fridays. For quieter slots, see our guide to the best time for Umrah.
Pilgrims staying in Aziziyah hotels and drivers working for Umrah transport companies should also see shorter trips. During Hajj, the shorter link to the Jamarat matters for service vehicles moving between Mina and the city.
What drivers should do now
- Update your maps app. Map apps can take a few days to pick up a newly opened link, so do not ignore the new signs if your app still routes you the old way.
- Follow the road signs at Prince Mut’ab and Prince Sultan intersections. Lane layouts near newly opened junctions often change in the first weeks.
- Remember the central area rules still apply. Access controls, parking restrictions and park-and-ride arrangements around the Haram are unchanged. A faster road does not mean you can park closer.
- Drive to the conditions. Speed cameras and Muroor enforcement cover the ring roads, and violations are recorded against your iqama on Absher. Here is how to check traffic violations.
What has not changed
Entry rules for Makkah, Umrah permit requirements on Nusuk, and the restriction on non-Muslims entering the Haram area are not affected by the new road. The Commission has not said whether further sections of the Third Ring Road will open this year, or given the length and lane count of the new link. Updates are posted by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, and traffic violations can be checked through Absher.
If you drive into Makkah regularly, try the new link on your next trip. It should save real time.