Road Conditions
Live traffic flow and incidents across South Africa's major highways and city routes.
Live · Updates every 5 minutes
Major Routes
Distance
1,400 km
Drive time
~14 hrs
SA's main artery. Passes through Hex River Pass, Karoo, and Laingsburg. Petrol stops every 100–200km. Watch for trucks between Touws River and Matjiesfontein.
Distance
580 km
Drive time
~6 hrs
Van Reenen's Pass is the most dramatic section — steep, often foggy in winter. Notoriously busy on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings.
Distance
760 km
Drive time
~8 hrs
The Garden Route highway. Spectacular coastal scenery. Watch for baboons near Storms River. Road quality is excellent throughout.
Driving in SA
Drive on the left
South Africa uses left-hand traffic. Steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle.
Speed limits
Urban: 60 km/h · Rural: 100 km/h · Highways: 120 km/h. Speed cameras are common.
Fuel
Petrol stations are plentiful in cities. On long highway routes, fill up at every opportunity — gaps of 200km+ exist in the Karoo.
Toll roads
E-tags are used on Gauteng freeways (e-NATIS system). Intercity routes like the N3 have cash toll plazas.
Night driving
Avoid driving at night outside cities. Animals, pedestrians, and unlighted vehicles on the road are serious hazards.
Roadside emergencies
AA South Africa: 0800 010 101. Keep a reflective triangle and spare tyre — punctures are common on gravel roads.
Roadside Assist (AA)
0800 010 101
Traffic Police
10111
Ambulance
10177