CT to JHB roadtrip

[Blitzkrieg]

Hi all,

Have not done this before, have flown all the times I needed to get up to JHB.

Planning to drive up in the next couple of days.

So, how is the N1 these days?

Wanna do one full trip i.e Not overnight anywhere and maybe just stop a few times along the way to stretch legs etc

Is it advisable to drive at night?

Comments and feedback appreciated

[Derek]

I usually stop over in Colesburg as it's quite a stretch to do in one LOOONNGGG day, and with unexpected Stop/go's you may end up spending more hours on the road than you had at first hoped for. Best to leave at 03h00 in the morning so that you drive through the safer parts of the country in the dark. I guess you can reach Jhb by 19h00 then if you push it and don't have wasted time...

[jolas]

Are you driving an aircooled car ? It took us 16 hours from Bloemfontein on our way back from the KKK, we left there at 03h30. It was quite a "tiring" affair.
If you're driving a modern car I would still leave at 03h00. It's pretty early, but at least you are in Beaufort West around 7am for a breakfast or coffee and fuel.
I remember roadworks near Three Sisters, but for the most part, the N1 was actually ok (from Bloem, not JHB)

[Tony Z]

dont speed. They are everywhere with lazers and radars. And every little town has at least one permanent camera and often a bored cop or two.
Trust me, I did this 20 odd times from 2007 to 2011.
My advice, stay over in Colesberg like Derek suggested. Leave CPT before 10am to get there at a decent hour. Leave Colesberg early the next morning and make good ground.

[Gerhard Volksie Bfn]

Or stop in bloem.

[acpaterson]

You ever see the movie "Vanishing Point"?

[supervly]

From De Doorns till Beaufort West is all average speed cameras , and Free State is full of mobile trapping teams, look out for people flashing , they will warn you where they are hiding (usually behind a bridge )
Rather fly unless you have to transport a car , ohh yes and when you hit the GP its full of really aggressive drivers and toll roads and no real logic to the road system so use ways or google maps , don.t make em think you are lost
Ways will also warn you of regular trapping spots

[sean]

No man, there is nothing wrong with driving. I do it quite regularly. I'll much rather be driving in my own car than sitting next to some screaming child in an aeroplane and drIving some rented piece of junk.

The N1 is perfect all the way, no issues. Ignore those average speed cameras, I've tested them and even at driving 180km/h between points I've never received anything to date from them.

I personally prefer to drive in one shot. If tired, get some red bulls.

[sean]

Oh Ja, night driving is also no problem. There are still plenty other road users driving throughout the night.

[fig]

Oh Ja, night driving is also no problem. There are still plenty other road users driving throughout the night.

Yes, especially trucks. I personally have a hard and fast rule, which I break only when there is no other option: "Never drive at night in Africa."

Stats show that most collisions occur at night. If you're driving at night you can't enjoy the scenery and it's much more stressful, what with oncoming lights messing with your vision and difficulty gauging how far away oncoming cars are.

My view is that a CT to Jhb road trip is a fabulous adventure if you can spread it out over two days or more. If you're in a hurry to cover the distance then just fly.

[Derius]

Just did the round trip ct Jhb George ct N1 sucked did it at night. N2 is a dream came home via graaf reniet .

[jolas]

Just did the round trip ct Jhb George ct N1 sucked did it at night. N2 is a dream came home via graaf reniet .

In the Autovilla ????

[Derius]

No. I did not buy it. Rather rough around the edges. So had to bite the bullet and say no.

[beetlepower]

I just did the trip and I much prefer to travel on the N12 via Kimberley, much quieter and no Stop and Gos at the moment. We left CT at 5AM and were in Pretoria by 2030