The R56 is a provincial route in South Africa that connects Middelburg with Pietermaritzburg via Molteno, Maclear and Kokstad. It is co-signed with the N2 between Kokstad and Stafford's Post for 39 kilometres. The R56 is known for being part of the shortest route between Cape Town in the Western Cape and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. There are 12 main towns on the R56, namely Middelburg Karoo, Steynsburg, Molteno, Dordrecht, Khowa, Ugie, Maclear, Matatiele, Kokstad, Ixopo, Richmond and Pietermaritzburg. Route Eastern Cape The R56 begins in the Middelburg town centre, at a junction with Meintjies Street. West of this junction, it is the R398 Road. It begins by going eastwards to form an intersection with the N9 & N10 National Route co-signage. From the N9/N10 Interchange, the R56 goes eastwards for 75 kilometres, through Rosmead, to meet the R390 Road from Hofmeyr. The R56 & R390 become one road for 10 kilometres into the town of Steynsburg. They enter the Steynsburg CBD in a southerly direction after bypassing the Khayamnandi suburb and they turn east at Van Riebeeck Street. East of the town centre, the R390 becomes its own road northwards while the R56 remains facing eastwards. The R56 continues eastwards for 30 kilometres to meet the R391 Road and turn to the east-south-east. It proceeds for 17 kilometres to meet the R397 Road. The R56 & R397 are one road south-east for 15 kilometres, through the town of Molteno (where it makes a left & right turn), before the R397 becomes its own road southwards. From the R397 junction, the R56 goes eastwards for 30 kilometres to meet the N6 National Route south of Jamestown. It continues eastwards for 35 kilometres to enter the town of Dordrecht and meet the R392 Road. The R56 & R392 are one road north-east for 4 kilometres before the R392 becomes its own road northwards. The R56 goes east-south-east for 34 kilometres to meet the R396 Road in the town of Indwe. The R56 & R396 are one road north-east for 5 kilometres before the R396 becomes its own road northwards. The R56 proceeds eastwards for 43 kilometres to meet the R58 Road from Ngcobo. The R56 & R58 are one road north-east for 8 kilometres into the town of Khowa (formerly Elliot), before the R58 becomes its own road northwards in the Khowa town centre. From Khowa, the R56 goes north-east for 69