Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311 | Route, Areas, Traffic & Transport

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Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311 is one of the UAE’s major highways. It connects important parts of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, making it an important route for daily commuters, businesses and long-distance drivers.

The road is commonly known as E311, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, or MBZ Road. In Abu Dhabi, the same route is known as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road. The UAE Government lists E311 at approximately 220 kilometres, extending from the Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Road (E22) in Abu Dhabi to Al Rifaa in Ras Al Khaimah. Because E311 connects several emirates and links with other major highways, it plays an important role in the UAE transport network. The highway also provides access to residential communities, industrial areas, commercial districts and public transport routes.

Quick Facts About Road E311

What Is Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311?

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road is the common name of the UAE highway with route number E311. It forms a major north-south road corridor and connects different parts of the country. The road is especially important for people travelling between Dubai and Sharjah. It also provides connections towards Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. In Abu Dhabi, E311 connects with the wider road network through E22.

The UAE Government identifies the route as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road / Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road (E311). The official roadway information states that it extends from E22 in Abu Dhabi to Al Rifaa in Ras Al Khaimah and covers approximately 220 km.

Is E311 the Same as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road?

Yes. E311 is the road number, while Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road is the common road name used in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The name changes in Abu Dhabi, where the road is known as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road. Therefore, searches for “E311,” “Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road,” “MBZ Road” and similar terms generally refer to the same highway.

Where Does E311 Start and End?

E311 starts at its connection with the Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Road (E22) in Abu Dhabi and extends north towards Al Rifaa in Ras Al Khaimah.

The UAE Government lists the road at approximately 220 km. The route forms part of a larger network of highways that allows drivers to travel between different emirates.

The actual travel time on E311 depends on your starting point, destination, traffic conditions, road incidents, and the connecting roads used during the journey.

Which Emirates Does E311 Connect?

E311 has an important position in the UAE road network because it links routes across several emirates.

E311 in Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, E311 is known as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road. It connects with major roads in the emirate, including E22. Drivers travelling from Abu Dhabi towards Dubai and the Northern Emirates can use connected highways to continue their journeys. The exact route depends on the destination and the available road connections.

E311 in Dubai

E311 is one of Dubai’s major outer road corridors. It provides access to many residential, commercial and industrial areas. The road also plays an important role in Dubai–Sharjah travel. Drivers can use different connecting roads to reach communities and business areas away from the central city.

E311 in Sharjah

E311 is a major route for people travelling between Dubai and Sharjah. It connects with roads leading towards residential areas, industrial districts and other parts of the emirate. Traffic levels can become heavy on Dubai–Sharjah routes, particularly during busy commuting periods. Drivers should check live traffic conditions before starting a journey.

E311 in Ajman

The highway provides an important connection for travel between Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Connecting roads allow drivers to reach different residential and commercial areas inside Ajman. For many residents, E311 offers a practical route for daily inter-emirate commuting.

E311 in Umm Al Quwain

E311 continues north towards Umm Al Quwain and supports longer-distance journeys between the Northern Emirates and Dubai. The highway also connects with other roads that serve local communities and commercial areas.

E311 and Ras Al Khaimah

The official UAE Government road information identifies Al Rifaa in Ras Al Khaimah as the northern end of E311. This makes the highway an important route for drivers travelling from the central parts of the UAE towards Ras Al Khaimah.

Major Roads Connected With E311

E311 forms part of a much larger UAE highway network. Drivers can use different connecting roads depending on their destination.

Important roads associated with journeys involving E311 include:

• E22 – Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Road
• E11 – Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Ittihad Road sections
• E611 – Emirates Bypass Road
• E44 – Dubai–Hatta Road
• E20 – Sweihan Road
• E87 – Al Shuhada Road
• Expo Road
• Al Yalayis Street
• Al Warqa Street
• University City roads
• Al Dhaid Road

The best connection depends on where you start and where you want to go. Live navigation applications can help identify the most suitable route based on current traffic.

E311 vs E11: What Is the Difference?

E311 and E11 are different highways. E11 is one of the UAE’s longest and most important roads. The UAE Government states that E11 extends for approximately 553 km, from the Al Ghuwaifat border area in Abu Dhabi to the Clock Roundabout in Ras Al Khaimah.

E311 is shorter, with an approximate length of 220 km, and extends from E22 in Abu Dhabi to Al Rifaa in Ras Al Khaimah.

Both highways connect important parts of the UAE, but they follow different routes and serve different road corridors.

E311 vs E611: What Is the Difference?

E611 is another major UAE highway. The UAE Government identifies it as Emirates Bypass Road. E611 provides an alternative route to Sheikh Zayed Road and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. It allows drivers to travel between Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates without travelling through central Dubai.

The UAE Government states that E611 starts at Al Fayah Road E75 in Abu Dhabi and ends in the Shamal area of Ras Al Khaimah. This makes E611 useful for drivers who want to travel around the outer parts of the UAE.

Is E311 Still Called Emirates Road?

For current road information, E311 should be identified as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The UAE Government currently identifies E611 as Emirates Bypass Road. Older references can create confusion because E311 was associated with the Emirates Road name in the past. Using the route number E311 is the clearest way to identify the highway.

Major Areas Near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road

E311 provides access to a large number of residential, commercial and industrial areas. The exact area you can reach depends on the connecting road or interchange you use.

Dubai Areas Near E311

Several Dubai communities have road connections to E311, including:

• Dubai Silicon Oasis
• International City
• Al Warqa
• Al Awir
• Dubailand
• Dubai Sports City
• Jebel Ali
• Muhaisnah
• Arabian Ranches
• Dubai Industrial City

These areas have different types of properties and services. Some are mainly residential, while others contain industrial, commercial or mixed-use developments.

Sharjah Areas Near E311

E311 also provides connections towards several Sharjah areas, including:

• Sharjah Industrial Area
• Al Nahda
• University City
• Muwaileh
• Al Dhaid Road corridor

For commuters, these connections make it easier to travel between Dubai and different parts of Sharjah.

Ajman and Northern Emirates

E311 also supports travel towards Ajman and the Northern Emirates. Drivers can use connecting roads to reach residential communities, industrial areas and commercial districts Road layouts can change because of infrastructure projects and development. Drivers should therefore follow current road signs instead of depending only on older exit lists.

Why Is E311 Important in the UAE?

E311 serves several important purposes in the UAE transport system. One major role is daily commuting between emirates. Residents travel between Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and other areas for work, education, shopping and other activities. The road also supports commercial and logistics traffic. Businesses use major highways to transport goods between industrial, warehouse and commercial areas.

Another important function is traffic distribution. E311 connects with other major roads, giving drivers different ways to reach their destinations without relying on one highway. Its location also makes it important for people travelling towards the Northern Emirates.

E311 Traffic and Congestion

E311 traffic changes throughout the day. Congestion can occur around busy interchanges, residential areas and routes connecting Dubai and Sharjah.

Traffic can also increase because of:

• Road accidents
• Vehicle breakdowns
• Road construction
• Lane closures
• Heavy traffic on connecting roads
• Poor weather conditions
• Large traffic volumes during commuting periods

For this reason, there is no single travel time that applies to the entire E311 highway. A journey that normally takes a reasonable amount of time can take much longer when an accident or road closure affects a major interchange.

How to Check E311 Traffic Today

The easiest way to check current E311 traffic is to use a live navigation application before leaving.

Check the route for:

• Current traffic speed
• Accidents
• Road closures
• Construction
• Estimated travel time
• Delays
• Alternative routes

RTA also provides transport and journey-planning services for Dubai road users. For long-distance journeys, check the traffic again shortly before departure because conditions can change quickly.

When Is E311 Usually Busy?

Traffic depends on the location and direction of travel. The Dubai–Sharjah corridor can become particularly busy during daily commuting periods. Traffic levels can also increase around major interchanges when large numbers of vehicles enter or leave the highway.

Rather than relying on one fixed “best time” for the entire road, check the live traffic situation for your exact journey. Conditions near Dubai can be very different from conditions near Ajman, Umm Al Quwain or Ras Al Khaimah at the same time.

E311 Bus Route

The E311 bus is a public transport service operated by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority. It is important to understand that the E311 bus and E311 highway are not the same thing. RTA launched the E311 bus route between Rashidiya Metro Station in Dubai and Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah.

The bus route travels through Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road before entering Sharjah and serves several stops along the journey. This route provides an important public transport connection for passengers travelling between Dubai and Sharjah.

Can You Reach E311 by Metro?

The Dubai Metro does not run along the entire E311 highway. However, public transport can connect passengers to parts of the E311 corridor. The E311 bus service, for example, connects Rashidiya Metro Station with Al Jubail Bus Station. For a current journey, passengers should check the latest RTA journey planner because bus routes, stops and operating schedules can change.

Does E311 Have Salik?

E311 is not a toll road. Upon encountering a Salik toll gate, the Salik charges for the vehicle will be applied. Each individual toll will be charged at different prices according to the Salik rules at the time of the toll. This will not automatically imply that any trip on E311 will be charged the same for Salik. Even if you leave E311 and travel through another Dubai road equipped with a Salik toll gate, you will be charged a toll. Please note that the full trip needs to be reviewed before any journey is undertaken, and don’t rely on the road number E311 as an indicator of tolls.

Places and Services Near E311

The area of E311 traverses or opens up towidey varieties of services and facilities.

Residential Communities

There are established links between E311 and many residential communities. This is beneficial for residents from one emirate and working in another. Some access may be quicker if close to a main highway, but also traffic noise, peak-hour conditions and road access should be taken into consideration. The map may show a property as being in proximity to E311 but that may still involve local streets driving to get there.

Shopping and Retail

There are several residential/commercial blocks linked to E311 that have supermarkets, shops, restaurants and bigger retail opportunities. The facilities available will vary according to community and connecting road.

Schools and Universities

Access to areas that contain Schools, colleges, and universities is provided via E311. One such special neighborhood in Sharjah for education is the University City that follows the general road network. The distance may be measured only from E311, not from the actual route to the school/University entrance, and should be determined by the parents and students.

Industrial and Logistics Areas

E311 also plays a vital role in commercial vehicles and logistics. Relationship with industrial zones in Dubai, Sharjah and Northern Emirates supports businesses in transfer of goods from Industrial Warehouses to factories, commercial areas and distribution centres and vice versa.

Driving on E311

There is more than likely going to be different speed limits on each section of road; therefore, if drivers are unsure of the speed limit, check for the speed limit signage on their journey, or adhere to the general online speed limit figure. Another reason for lane discipline is that E311 is a busy street. Pilots should not change lanes abruptly and make sure to use indicators while switching lanes. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front anbe d be vigilant at exits and interchanges.

Safety Tips for E311

Follow these basic safety practices when using E311:

• Check your route before starting.
• Follow the posted speed limit.
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Use indicators when changing lanes.
• Avoid sudden lane changes.
• Never use your phone while driving.
• Watch for roadworks and temporary diversions.
• Check live traffic before a long journey.
• Follow police and road authority instructions.
• Do not stop on the highway unless there is an emergency.

These precautions become especially important during heavy traffic and long-distance journeys.

Living Near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road

Residents living close to E311 may find it usefulfor people who make regular trips between emirates. Home near the highway providing convenient access to Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman or any other destination. It can also be useful for those who use commercially or industrially developed properties.

But living close to a highway doesn’t necessarily mean a community has a brief commute. Actual travel depends on the local road network and traffic, destination, parking and the time of day. They should test the whole route when they would normally commute to work to ensure they are not exposed to the problem when they are on their way to work.

How to Find E311 on a Map

If instructions are to be as precise as possible, please put in your exact starting point and destination. This application can then work out the route using the traffic and road conditions at the time.

While operating on E311 look out for:

• Road signs
• Exit signs
• Lane directions
• Connecting highways
• Temporary diversions
• Traffic alerts
• Destination signs

Make sure to clear the roadway for an exit lane at least moments before. Anticipate the change of lanes and comply with the signs and markings on the road.

How to Plan an E311 Journey

An E311 trip will be much easier with a few simple steps. Before leaving, be sure to check on some live traffic and confirm your destination. If travelling inter-emirates, ensure that a Salik toll gate is being used. Follow the course outlined and road signs on route. Drivers should be aware of their environment – if navigation software needs to adjust their route due to changing traffic conditions. If you miss an exit, do not suddenly change lanes, reverse or stop on the highway. Continue safely and let the navigation system calculate another route.

FAQs

What is Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road E311?

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road is a major UAE highway with the route number E311. It extends from E22 in Abu Dhabi to Al Rifaa in Ras Al Khaimah and is approximately 220 km long.

Where does E311 start and end?

E311 starts at the Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Road (E22) in Abu Dhabi and extends to Al Rifaa in Ras Al Khaimah.

Is E311 the same as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road?

Yes. E311 is the route number for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. In Abu Dhabi, the route is known as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road.

Is E311 the same as E11?

No. E311 and E11 are separate highways. E11 is approximately 553 km long, while E311 is approximately 220 km long.

Is E311 the same as Emirates Road?

No. The current UAE Government road information identifies E611 as Emirates Bypass Road. E311 is identified as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road or Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road.

Does E311 have Salik?

Not every part of E311 has a Salik charge. Salik applies when a vehicle passes through an active toll gate. Your charge depends on the specific route and toll gates you cross.

What is the E311 bus?

The E311 bus is an RTA public transport route connecting Rashidiya Metro Station in Dubai with Al Jubail Bus Station in Sharjah. The bus travels through Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road as part of its route.

Which emirates are connected by E311?

E311 connects road networks across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, with the route ending at Al Rifaa in Ras Al Khaimah.

How can I check E311 traffic today?

Use a live navigation application before starting your journey. Check current congestion, accidents, roadworks, closures and alternative routes.

Why is E311 important?

E311 is important because it provides major inter-emirate road connectivity. It supports daily commuting, commercial transport, logistics and long-distance travel between different parts of the UAE.