You can easily fly from OR Tambo International Airport to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport. However, for a more adventurous trip, why not take a road trip from Johannesburg to Durban? Driving from Johannesburg to Durban is a popular road trip in South Africa, especially during school holidays. In this post, we consider the best route for driving from Johannesburg to Durban, alternate routes, the driving distance, costs, where to stop for a break and what to see along the way.
Read here about the ultimate road trip in South Africa – driving from Johannesburg to Cape Town and vice versa. You can also read more about other road trips in South Africa, including the Garden Route.
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How far is Durban from Johannesburg?
The GPS coordinates of Johannesburg are 26.2041° S, 28.0473° E. The GPS coordinates of Durban are 29.8587° S, 31.0218° E. The Johannesburg to Durban distance is about 570 kilometres when taking the N3, the shortest distance between these two major cities in South Africa. If you’re wondering how many hours you’ll drive from Johannesburg to Durban, the travel time is about 5 hours if you keep to the speed limit.
Is It Worth Driving from Johannesburg to Durban?
If flying between Johannesburg and Durban is quick and cheap, why should you drive from Johannesburg to Durban? Driving is one of the most affordable options from Johannesburg to Durban and vice versa. It is also flexible, as you can stop anywhere for sightseeing. Along the route, there are many exciting tourist attractions and beautiful small towns to visit, making a road trip worthwhile if you have time for some exploration.
A flight from Johannesburg to Durban has a flight time of less than an hour. Flying is typically more expensive than driving, especially if more than 2 people travel together. A flight may be the most affordable option for a single person travelling from Johannesburg to Durban unless you have to rent a car for the road trip.
Taking the bus from Johannesburg to Durban is affordable but may be slower and less comfortable than driving.
There are options to travel from Johannesburg to Durban by train. Still, these are only available on certain days of the week and are much slower than driving.
Driving is one of the best ways to get from Johannesburg to Durban if you have a car or can rent one.
Routes for Driving from Johannesburg to Durban
A road trip from Johannesburg to Durban is easy, as you can complete the journey in less than a day. There are many routes; the best route depends on whether you are doing a leisurely road trip with time to explore and the experiences you’d like to have on the way.
Take note that there are many speed cameras along the way as the KwaZulu-Natal Province is quite strict on adherence to the rules of the road. The speed limit ranges between 80 kilometres per hour to 120 kilometres per hour along the route. Keep your eyes open for the signs displaying the speed limit to ensure you get no surprise speed fines!
Route 1: The most popular route when driving from Johannesburg to Durban – the N3
The most popular route from Johannesburg to Durban is the N3 via Harrismith. This route takes you through three provinces of South Africa: Gauteng, the Free State Province and KwaZulu-Natal Province. The road conditions of the N3 are excellent as it is a toll road and maintained well.
With this route, you drive from Johannesburg and pass Heidelberg. From there, you go to Villiers in the Free State Province. After that, you go past Warden and Harrismith. Many people stop in Harrismith for a leg stretch and a snack. A little while after Harrismith, you reach the Van Reenen pass. Continuing along this road, you get to Estcourt in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. You continue with the N3 and pass the Mooi River area before reaching Howick and eventually Pietermaritzburg, the KwaZulu-Natal Province’s capital city. From Pietermaritzburg, you have another hour’s drive before arriving in Durban.
If you want to reduce the toll fees you have to pay, consider taking an alternative route to skip some of the toll gates. Although slightly longer, the alternative routes sometimes offer more scenery.
Read more about visiting the uShaka Marine World in Durban.
Route 2: Alternative route from Johannesburg to Durban: Drakensberg Detour from Harrismith
The first alternative route is taking the N3 until you reach Harrismith. When you pass the Engen Bergview 1 Stop offramp, take the N5 and then the R74.
On this route, you pass two dams: the Sterkfontein Dam and the Driekloof Dam. You can visit one of South Africa’s nature reserves, the Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, if you want to overnight here.
From here, you pass the Drakensberg Amphitheater and drive through Bergville and Winterton on the R74 before rejoining the N3.
This route adds less than 30 minutes to your driving time.
Read about our stay at the Gooderson Monks Cowl Resort in the Drakensberg. Find out about the 13 best things to do when visiting the central Drakensberg.
Route 3: Alternative route from Johannesburg to Durban: Mooi River Detour
Stay on the N3 and take the 168 Exit toward Estcourt on the N6. You turn right onto the R103 to drive through Mooi River by crossing over the N3.
Once you’ve spent time in Mooi River, you can join the N3 again at Nottingham Road.
Route 4: Alternative route from Johannesburg to Durban: Midlands Meander Detour
Stay on the N3, and take the 168 Exit toward Estcourt on the N6. Take a right turn onto the R103 and continue until you reach the Midlands Meander. The Midlands Meander is one of the most scenic areas in South Africa, and it is worth spending some time here. You can find good restaurants, historical sites, and beautiful natural attractions in the Midlands Meander.
Once you’ve explored the Midlands Meander, you can join the N3 again after the Midmar Dam.
Places to Stop While Driving from Johannesburg to Durban
You can complete this road trip in one day, but there are so many beautiful sights to explore throughout the entire trip. Depending on the route you choose, here are some of the best places to stop and explore along the way:
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park with the majestic Maluti Mountains for excellent hiking routes.
- Royal Natal National Park for its famous Amphitheatre and rock formations.
- Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve with the third largest dam in South Africa, the Sterkfontein Dam, for water sports and activities.
- Visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site near the Midlands Meander.
- See some of South Africa’s rarest wildlife at the Nambiti Hills Private Game Experience and Lodge near Ladysmith.
- Visit Pietermaritzburg’s Botanical Gardens, the KwaZulu-Natal Museum and the impressive Master Of The High Court building.
- Visit the 90-metre drop of the Howick Falls.
Read about the other attractions in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
Best Time for Driving from Johannesburg to Durban
Durban is a popular destination with South Africans because of its great weather. Durban has mild to hot temperatures throughout the year, even when the rest of South Africa has winter from May to August. The summer temperatures in Durban range between 21 and 27 degrees Celsius. The city is humid, and it rains often in summer. Winter is an excellent time to visit this incredible place as the temperatures vary from 14 to 24 degrees, but there is less rain and humidity.
Read more about Durban’s weather and what to wear when visiting this city.
Many South Africans travel to Durban during the school holidays. Durban is a popular destination for long weekends, including the Easter Weekend. The best times to visit Durban outside of school holidays are February, May, and October. The city can be windy throughout the year.
Find out when is the best time to visit South Africa and other things you should know for a visit to South Africa.
Where to stop along the N3 Route
Although driving from Johannesburg to Durban can be a leisurely road trip, stopping every 2 hours to stretch your legs to avoid driver’s fatigue is essential. Fortunately, there are many rest stops along the way, and they are spread out along the route. These are some of the best petrol pitstops or rest stops on your way to Durban:
- Vaal Engen 1 Stop: This rest stop is located near the small town of Villiers, about 113 kilometres from Johannesburg. We love stopping here for breakfast. A lovely shop sells traditional South African foods, including biltong, droe wors and other sweet snacks. It’s definitely worth a stop!
- Puma Service Station: This rest stop is about 218 kilometres from Johannesburg near the town of Warden.
- Harrismith Shell Ultra City Balmoral: Near Harrismith, you can visit one of the many fast food options, get a coffee to energise you, refuel and take a short walk.
- Tugela Engen 1 Stop: This is the halfway stop when driving from Johannesburg to Durban. You can find it just after the Tugela Toll Plaza. It is an excellent place to stop for a slightly longer break before you tackle the rest of the journey.
- Midway Motors (3149): Midway Motors is near Estcourt. Once you reach it, you have less than 200 kilometres to go!
- Engen Haffejees Service Station: This petrol station is just 80 kilometres from Durban.
- The Windmill Engen 1 Stop: This rest stop is on the N3 Nottingham Road offramp, Exit 132. We recommend having a bite at The Midlands Kitchen, which has over 15 restaurants serving delicious food. Kids will enjoy the outdoor play area.
How Much Does It Cost to Drive from Johannesburg to Durban?
The cost of driving from Johannesburg to Durban depends on the type of car you drive, the route you take, and your car’s fuel consumption.
Considering a car with an average fuel consumption of about 6,1 litre/100 kilometres, you would need about 35,62 litres of petrol from Johannesburg to Durban. At the current average petrol price of R23.90 per litre for unleaded petrol, the fuel cost would be about R850 to get to Durban and another R850 to return to Johannesburg.
If you take the N3 freeway, you have to consider that this is a toll route with many toll gates along the way.
The current prices of the toll gates along this route are:
- Mooi: R62
- Wilge: R83
- Tugela: R88
- De Hoek: R60
- Marian Hill: R14.50
If you combine the fuel costs with the costs of the toll gates, the total cost to travel one way from Johannesburg to Durban comes to R1,157.50. The total cost of a road trip from Johannesburg to Durban and back is R2,315.
If you need to rent a car, consider the daily rental and additional charge per kilometre the rental agency may charge.
Where to stay in Durban?
This map shows some of the accommodation options in Durban:
Sources:
South Africa Vacation Checklist
- Check the availability of accommodation in South Africa on Booking.com. Refine your search to find hotels that offer free cancellation and no advance payment.
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