Driving N1 JHB-CPT

bromster

bromster

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I will be driving this route later this month and was curious about any potential danger areas. I had a friend who drove the route recently and was robbed by people putting rocks in the road about 200km outside of joburg.

I will have to start out around lunch time, so it will be dark when I get to Laingsberg. I believe that overtaking trucks are a problem in this area.

Is there anyone who has driven this route recently that remembers the approximate Toll costs?

Thanks.
 
Rocks on the N1? Jeez. If you're doing it alone, please just take regular breaks- can be an extremely boring stretch of road in the Free State in particular
 
I am doing the trip next week and is going to be a long trip. going to bloem then to cape town then to toti from cape town along the coast
 
My daughter and her BF did this trip in DEC. Be careful if Transkei, they reckon the roads are very bad. They travelled < 4000 kms round trip back to JHB.
 
I've driven Cape Town to Durban several times using the N1-N5-N3 routing, and will be doing so again on Friday/Saturday, so perhaps I can give some pointers.

The N1 between Johannesburg and Winburg, I have never driven and have no knowledge of. Winburg to Bloemfontein has frequent passing lanes and shouldn't be too problematic.

The stretch between Bloemfontein and Colesberg is where I've experienced the most issues with overtaking trucks. It was also undergoing significant maintenance (lengthy stop-go controls) when I last drove it (December 2011), but that should be done by now. The rebuilding of the N1/N9 interchange in Colesberg is also complete to my knowledge (a significant danger zone previously).

At Colesberg, the majority of the trucks head to the Eastern Cape via the N9 and N10, and you'll probably end up with the road to yourself as far as Three Sisters. Be very aware of fixed and mobile speed traps though, especially in the Richmond area (the road may be empty, but don't even think about exceeding the speed limit; you will get nailed heavily). The truck traffic between Johannesburg and Cape Town generally uses the N12 via Kimberley to avoid tolls, so you'll hit this from Three Sisters onwards.

The stretch between Beaufort West and Laingsburg is, in my opinion, the most dangerous stretch of the entire journey; fatigue being the reason. If you're even remotely tired, pull over and rest (or even stay in Beaufort West overnight if you have to). There's a Shell Ultra City at Leeu-Gamka (halfway through this stretch) that I recommend you make use of.

(Pull off at Matjiesfontein, 30 km after Laingsburg. Well worth the visit.)

From Laingsburg, you just need to get down Hex River Pass (again, keep to the speed limit here), and get through Du Doorns (the one section where the human population may have hostile intentions). Then it's a blast through Worcester, the tunnel (keep to the speed limit in and after the tunnel; in particular, fixed cameras approaching the toll plaza right where it drops to 60 km/h), and a short skip and a jump to Cape Town.

Enjoy the trip!
 
Do you have to take the N1? Asking because I recently drove down via the N12, and found it a pretty pleasant drive, with a lot less traffic (esp trucks), no tolls and the road condition being absolutely fine. You join up with the N1 before Beaufort West (we decided to overnight here). Just checked on google and this route is less than 50km longer than taking the N1.
 
Kelerei said:
The stretch between Beaufort West and Laingsburg is, in my opinion, the most dangerous stretch of the entire journey; fatigue being the reason. If you're even remotely tired, pull over and rest (or even stay in Beaufort West overnight if you have to). There's a Shell Ultra City at Leeu-Gamka (halfway through this stretch) that I recommend you make use of.
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This is very important information.
 
Drifter said:
My daughter and her BF did this trip in DEC. Be careful if Transkei, they reckon the roads are very bad. They travelled < 4000 kms round trip back to JHB.
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The N1 is nowhere near the Transkei...


The only major danger area is between Laingsburg and Beaufort West as it's a 200km stretch with nowhere to really stop in between and only a single lane on both side.

Overtaking isn't the problem as much as people getting impatient after already being tired and making mistakes.

I highly recommend that you stay over at The Wagon Wheel in Beaufort West, it's cheap as chips and you can go dine at the best restaurant in the whole area (next to the F1 hotel can't remember the name but it's Italian).

Then you set off from Beaufort West nice and fresh the next morning with a full tank for the last stretch to Cape Town.
 
Kelerei said:
I've driven Cape Town to Durban several times using the N1-N5-N3 routing, and will be doing so again on Friday/Saturday, so perhaps I can give some pointers.

The N1 between Johannesburg and Winburg, I have never driven and have no knowledge of. Winburg to Bloemfontein has frequent passing lanes and shouldn't be too problematic.

The stretch between Bloemfontein and Colesberg is where I've experienced the most issues with overtaking trucks. It was also undergoing significant maintenance (lengthy stop-go controls) when I last drove it (December 2011), but that should be done by now. The rebuilding of the N1/N9 interchange in Colesberg is also complete to my knowledge (a significant danger zone previously).

At Colesberg, the majority of the trucks head to the Eastern Cape via the N9 and N10, and you'll probably end up with the road to yourself as far as Three Sisters. Be very aware of fixed and mobile speed traps though, especially in the Richmond area (the road may be empty, but don't even think about exceeding the speed limit; you will get nailed heavily). The truck traffic between Johannesburg and Cape Town generally uses the N12 via Kimberley to avoid tolls, so you'll hit this from Three Sisters onwards.

The stretch between Beaufort West and Laingsburg is, in my opinion, the most dangerous stretch of the entire journey; fatigue being the reason. If you're even remotely tired, pull over and rest (or even stay in Beaufort West overnight if you have to). There's a Shell Ultra City at Leeu-Gamka (halfway through this stretch) that I recommend you make use of.

(Pull off at Matjiesfontein, 30 km after Laingsburg. Well worth the visit.)

From Laingsburg, you just need to get down Hex River Pass (again, keep to the speed limit here), and get through Du Doorns (the one section where the human population may have hostile intentions). Then it's a blast through Worcester, the tunnel (keep to the speed limit in and after the tunnel; in particular, fixed cameras approaching the toll plaza right where it drops to 60 km/h), and a short skip and a jump to Cape Town.

Enjoy the trip!
Click to expand...

Is this the Garden Route as we will be stopping over in PE for rest the night or which route is this?
 
SauRoNZA said:
The N1 is nowhere near the Transkei...


The only major danger area is between Laingsburg and Beaufort West as it's a 200km stretch with nowhere to really stop in between and only a single lane on both side.

Overtaking isn't the problem as much as people getting impatient after already being tired and making mistakes.

I highly recommend that you stay over at The Wagon Wheel in Beaufort West, it's cheap as chips and you can go dine at the best restaurant in the whole area (next to the F1 hotel can't remember the name but it's Italian).

Then you set off from Beaufort West nice and fresh the next morning with a full tank for the last stretch to Cape Town.
Click to expand...

My bad, I was thinking of another post where the guy said he is driving JHB-CPT-Toti
 
labratza said:
Is this the Garden Route as we will be stopping over in PE for rest the night or which route is this?
Click to expand...

No, that's the routing via Bloemfontein. The Garden Route is part the N2 routing along the coast (Mossel Bay to Storms River).

I've driven the N2 as far as Storms River Mouth just over a week ago, and that section of the road is in excellent condition. The road should be in good nick from there to (at least) Port Elizabeth.

I have not driven along the N2 between Storms River and Durban since 2008, but my memories of it are as follows:

The N2 between Grahamstown and King Williams Town was narrow and bumpy, so I often used the R72 between Port Elizabeth and East London. If you really want to use that section of N2, take the R63 shortcut between King Williams Town and Komga which cuts out the N2 East London loop. Road conditions in the Transkei outside of the towns varied from decent enough to being reconstructed (keep your speed down though, otherwise you will likely hit stray livestock), but as for the towns... let's just say this is why I take the Bloemfontein routing to Durban. Roads are poor, and there are no rules of the road. Keep your wits about you, and do not stop anywhere aside from the Mthatha Shell Ultra City. Once into KZN and past Kokstad, it's a tight and twisty (but better maintained) road to Port Shepstone, and freeway quality the rest of the way.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. We will be 2 in the car, so we can drive in shifts. I have regularly driven 10 hours between PLZ and JNB with no fatigue issues, but I suspect JHB-CPT will be too long so I won't be a hero.

I hope the traffic will be light in the late afternoon/ evening, so hope to average about 125km/h. Out of interest, are there any fixed cameras in the middle of nowhere, or do they tend to be around the towns?
 
bromster said:
I hope the traffic will be light in the late afternoon/ evening, so hope to average about 125km/h. Out of interest, are there any fixed cameras in the middle of nowhere, or do they tend to be around the towns?
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Mainly towns, though I do remember reading that the Beaufort West-Laingsburg stretch has average speed prosecution now (no first-hand knowledge, must have been implemented since last I drove that way).

Mobile cameras though... there are plenty.
 
Kelerei said:
Mainly towns, though I do remember reading that the Beaufort West-Laingsburg stretch has average speed prosecution now (no first-hand knowledge, must have been implemented since last I drove that way).

Mobile cameras though... there are plenty.
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Yep. 200km of dead straight road at 120km/h with average speed prosecution with multiple check point cameras. This piece of road is very dangerous because of the monotony factor. It will put you to sleep if you are tired.

The section between Laingsburg and Worcester is also average speed camera now.
 
OK so, update:

Total trip time from O.R Tambo to Southern Suburbs: 12h 30min. Cruise control set to 128km/h in 120 zones,slowing down through towns etc. Occasionally creeping up to 140 when the road was empty. A few 10 minute breaks for refueling and leg stretching.

Fixed Cameras: Definitely 2 in Bloemfontein. 1 in Beaufort West iirc.
Mobile trapping: About 100km before Bloemfontein. About 40km before Colesburg. The rest was after sunset so I had hoped they had all gone home.

I can easily drive PE to Jozi in 10 hours without stopping, but in my opinion, the JHB-CPT trip is too long to do on your own without taking a nap. Particularly if the last portion of the drive is after dark, where you need heavy concentration to judge oncoming vehicles etc. Luckily, we rotated the driving to alleviate this.

Despite this, I would strongly advise against driving through the Beaufort West / Laingsberg area at night. Judging overtaking in the pitch black with no horizon reference is extremely difficult. You would pull out to overtake a truck without realizing that you were on a blind rise or approaching a bend, and before you know it there is a set of headlights in your face. I was lucky that my car had enough power to overtake quickly, otherwise it would have been too close for comfort. I would consider myself a very good driver and have good judgment. However, at night, every overtake is a calculated risk and admittedly I made several errors in judgment which could quite easily have gone bad in the right conditions.

Other times, I went around bends to be greeted by 2 trucks, side by side, both with their brights on, forcing my into the shoulder lane to avoid collision.

I also did see signs for Average Speed prosecution through Laingsberg/ Worcester

That being said, WOZA CAPE TOWN!
 
bromster said:
....
Despite this, I would strongly advise against driving through the Beaufort West / Laingsberg area at night. Judging overtaking in the pitch black with no horizon reference is extremely difficult. You would pull out to overtake a truck without realizing that you were on a blind rise or approaching a bend, and before you know it there is a set of headlights in your face. I was lucky that my car had enough power to overtake quickly, otherwise it would have been too close for comfort. I would consider myself a very good driver and have good judgment. However, at night, every overtake is a calculated risk and admittedly I made several errors in judgment which could quite easily have gone bad in the right conditions.

Other times, I went around bends to be greeted by 2 trucks, side by side, both with their brights on, forcing my into the shoulder lane to avoid collision.
...
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+1

I had exactly the same experience.

There are some slow moving trucks on this section and you can't tell if there is 5km of open straight road ahead or 50m of open road until you have pulled out into the oncoming lane and put your hi beams on. You simply can't tell where the horizon is there in the dark.

The trucks and taxis overtake on these blind rises and corners. You just see 2 sets of lights side by side coming around the bend or over the horizon and you have no choice other than to move quickly over the yellow line onto the shoulder to avoid a collision.
 
ScottulusMaximus said:
TIA

You don't drive long distance at night.
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I disagree to a certain degree. I prefer driving down to George at night. Driving during the day is boring and I get really tired.

But you REALLY need to be awake and aware of what is happening on the road. Driving between Kroonstad and Bloemfontein can be insane with all the trucks and busses especially when it is raining.

Bloemfontein has camouflaged traffic cameras. Richmond has a ridiculous 60km/h camera on the N1

Bedfordview has more cameras and is a hub for trucks stopping at night. After that you have the Klein Karoo with lots of wild animals (taking Graaf Reinet/Willowmore doesn't help much either nd although it is shorter you have less N1 to travel on).

Meiringspoort (which is an epic thing to see during the day) is crazy dangerous at night if you don't check your speed.

If it is just me or a couple of mates, night driving no problem. Might feel different about it if I was married or had children.
 
/Resurection

I am doing the JHB-CPT drive solo tomorrow. I am definitely going to stop somewhere along the route (at least 800km from JHB).

Should I consider doing the Kimberly N12 route or rather just stick with the N1 through Bloem?
 
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