Getting stuck in traffic is every South African motorist’s worst nightmare. Drivers all around the country have had to deal with heavy traffic over the festive season in December and January.
Now that the festive season is over and tourism is dying down around the country, the hope is that traffic will begin to subside. There are, however, certain roads in specific South African cities that are always jammed packed with cars.
This article will take you through the busiest cities and roads in South Africa in terms of volume of traffic and waiting times. We’ll also introduce you to We Rent Cars, a rent-to-buy car subscription service that is looking to revolutionise car ownership in South Africa.
South African Cities With the Most Traffic
5. Durban
Durban is the South African city with the least amount of traffic and congestion. This is because it takes around 12 minutes to drive 10 kilometres in the city centre. This is by no means an easy drive, when compared to some of the quieter cities in the world.
4. Johannesburg
Surprisingly, Johannesburg - the biggest city in South Africa, doesn’t rank too highly in terms of road waiting times. The average driver in Johannesburg will take around 13 minutes and 40 seconds to complete a 10 kilometre journey.
Of course, this is an average driver, there may be instances when the roads are particularly congested, when a 10 km drive might take far longer. If you live in Johannesburg, peak hour traffic normally takes place around 16:30 - 17:30.
3. Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is a steadily growing South African city, and the numbers surrounding the ever increasing traffic in the region showcases this growth. It will take the average driver around 14 minutes and 40 seconds to complete a 10 kilometre drive in Bloem.
2. Cape Town and East London
Cape Town and East London are both relatively small cities with high population density. This means that during peak hour traffic, drivers are expected to have long waiting times until they reach their destinations.
The average drivers in Cape Town and East London are expected to wait around 15 minutes and 30 seconds to complete a 10 kilometre journey.
1. Pretoria
Pretoria is the king of congestion when it comes to South African cities. The average driver is expected to wait around 16 minutes and 40 seconds to complete a 10 kilometre commute in Pretoria.
Most Congested Roads in South Africa
Here is a list of the most congested roads in South Africa. You’ll want to avoid these roads at all times during peak hour traffic in the morning from around 7:00 - 9:00 and 16:00 - 18:00:
8. N4 Westbound from Pretoria to Brits
7. N1 Southbound from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein
6. N3 Southbound from Johannesburg to Durban
5. N1 Southbound Huguenot Tunnel to Cape Town
4. N4 Eastbound from Pretoria to Mbombela
3. N1 Northbound from Pretoria to Polokwane
2. N2 South Coast from Durban to Winkelspruit
1. N2 North Coast from Durban to Tongaat
These roads were found to be the most congested during the 2023 festive season in South Africa.
5 Tips to Beat the Traffic in South Africa
1. Avoid Driving in Peak Hour Traffic
In South Africa, there are certain times during the day when traffic is particularly bad. Driving between 7:00 - 9:00 in the morning and 16:00 - 18:00 in the afternoon may have significantly worse road waiting times.
Try to embark on your journey slightly earlier or later than the above-mentioned times.
2. Invest in a GPS System
Investing in a GPS system will alert you to unexpected traffic delays and give you an estimate on your arrival time. You’ll be able to see whether your route is congested or not before hitting the road.
3. Find Different Routes
There are always multiple routes that you can take in South African cities to reach a specific destination. Explore different roads that may have less congestion than main roads. They may be slightly longer but at least you won’t be stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
4. Practice Relaxation Techniques
Sitting in traffic can be stressful and sometimes even infuriating. Try doing some breathing and relaxation exercises to help you survive the wait. Find radio stations, like Fine Music Radio (103.1) to help calm you down amid a long queue of cars.
5. Drive a Fuel Efficient Car
Sitting in traffic with long delays can be expensive, especially as petrol prices continue to rise around the country. If you’re looking for a new car, try finding one that is fuel-efficient.
We Rent Cars have a large showroom of vehicles that may fall into your budget…
Visit We Rent Cars for a Vehicle That Will Get You Through the Traffic
You now understand all of the statistics and data surrounding traffic in South Africa. We Rent Cars can help get you on the road in 2024.
Our great rent-to-buy subscription aims to revolutionise car ownership in South Africa by providing everyone with an opportunity to get a car, regardless of credit status.
Contact one of our dealerships today to get yourself a new set of wheels!