Distance from Harrismith to Richards Bay

Harrismith to Richards Bay is a full long-distance road trip, covering about 462.0 km in roughly 5 hrs 9 min.

N Harrismith → Richards Bay
Road distance
462.0 km
287.1 mi • 249.4 nmi
Geodesic Direct point-to-point reference
290.9 km
Road multiplier Route-to-direct distance ratio
1.59×
Navigation steps Instruction count in route set
17
Info Travel board
Travel time
5 hrs 9 min
Return: 10 hrs 18 min
Rolling runtime Engine-calculated drive duration
5 hrs 9 min
Average velocity Distance over route runtime
89.7 km/h
Stop-adjusted ETA 2 planned rest stops
5 hrs 39 min
Fuel Service sign
Estimated fuel cost - 7.2 L/100km
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R773.46
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R777.12
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R861.62
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R868.60
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R1,020.54
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R1,025.36
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R1,136.85
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R1,146.07
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R1,342.81
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R1,349.16
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R1,495.86
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R1,507.99
See more fuel details from Harrismith to Richards Bay
Wx Destination weather
Today's outlook for Richards Bay
Live weather unavailable
Showing drive timing instead
Fastest drive Direct drive estimate
5 hrs 9 min
Comfort drive Allows a short stop
5 hrs 24 min
Taxi Local commuter
Taxi fare estimate
Check local taxi rank
Long-distance caution
Route class Operational trip category
Local shared
Leave Arrival time loading…
Accommodation

Where to stay near Richards Bay

Road-trip friendly stays matched to this destination and corridor, with photos, price positioning and quick property links.

No accommodation listings have been added for this route yet.

Route

Route overview

Live map, directions, tolls and route services.

Map Directions Tolls Trip planning
Route map

Live map

Start, destination and route line.

462.0 km 5 hrs 9 min
Start Harrismith
Finish Richards Bay
Map key
Start point
Destination
Driving route
Navigation sign

Turn-by-turn directions

  1. Head on Warden Street
    0.0 km
  2. Continue make a U-turn onto Warden Street
    0.5 km
  3. Turn right onto King Street
    0.5 km
  4. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto McKechnie Street
    0.1 km
  5. Continue onto McKechnie Street
    0.0 km
  6. Turn left
    1.4 km
  7. Merge slight right
    262.2 km
  8. Keep slight right at the fork towards N3: Durban
    9.3 km
  9. Keep slight left at the fork
    15.8 km
  10. Take the exit ramp slight left towards N2: Port Shepstone
    0.3 km
  11. Keep slight left at the fork towards N2: King Shaka International Airport
    0.8 km
  12. Merge slight right onto Outer Ring Road
    24.6 km
  13. Continue straight onto North Coast Toll Road
    132.6 km
  14. Take the exit ramp slight left towards R34: Richards Bay
    0.6 km
  15. Turn right onto John Ross Highway
    13.2 km
  16. Continue make a U-turn onto John Ross Highway
    0.1 km
  17. You have arrived at your destination
    0.0 km
Navigation sign

Tolls on this route

R
Tolls found 32
Known total R1,200.00
Main toll road N2 - North Coast Toll Road
This route includes 32 toll points from our database. The strongest toll-road match is N2 - North Coast Toll Road.
Mariannhill Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R16.50
Mvoti Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R18.50
Tugela
Road: Road not linked yet
R100.00
Tugela
Road: Road not linked yet
R100.00
Mvoti Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R18.50
Mariannhill Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R16.50
Mariannhill Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R16.50
Mooi Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R49.00
Mariannhill Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R16.50
oThongathi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R15.50
oThongathi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R15.50
oThongathi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R15.50
Mooi
Road: Road not linked yet
R70.00
oThongathi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R15.50
Dokodweni
Road: Road not linked yet
R27.00
Mtunzini Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R53.00
Mtunzini Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R63.50
Mtunzini Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R63.50
Mtunzini Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R63.50
Mooi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R70.00
Mooi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R70.00
Mooi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R70.00
Mooi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R70.00
oThongathi
Road: Road not linked yet
R7.50
oThongathi
Road: Road not linked yet
R7.50
Dokodweni Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R27.00
Mtunzini Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R53.00
King Shaka Airport
Road: Road not linked yet
R8.50
Mandini Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R10.00
Mandini
Road: Road not linked yet
R10.00
Treverton Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R21.00
Treverton Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R21.00
Stop Stopover sign
Halfway point
231.2 km
Mid-route position Road corridor partition
50 / 50
Time partition Start / finish split
2 hrs 34 min • 2 hrs 34 min
Waypoint reference Nearest route marker
Mid-route reference
Loc Route geography
Route geography
Harrismith → Richards Bay
Start and destination context
Start area Origin
Harrismith, Free State
Destination area Arrival
Richards Bay
Road span Street reference
— • —
Post Postal reference
Postal reference
— • —
Harrismith → Richards Bay
Harrismith Origin postcode
Not available
Richards Bay Destination postcode
Not available
Province span Route area
South Africa
Set Nearby route set
Nearby route set
3 other similar routes
Johannesburg to Polokwane Similar distance
169.0 km
Pretoria to Nelspruit Similar distance
185.6 km
Cape Town to George Similar distance
89.6 km
Rev Related route set
Related route set
Harrismith ↔ Richards Bay
Open
Harrismith to Pretoria Related trip
Open
Open
Route atlas

Atlas Route Specification

Route sheet

ZA-ATLAS
Origin Harrismith -28.27842, 29.13324
Midpoint
231.2 km
Total: 462.0 km
Midpoint 231.2 km
462.0 km 5 hrs 9 min
Destination Richards Bay -28.77079, 32.05778

Route sheet

Route class Resolved South Africa route
Province span South Africa
One-way road span 462.0 km
Return-cycle span 924.1 km
Traversal time 5 hrs 9 min
Maneuver count 17
Maneuver density 3.7 /100 km
Midpoint chainage 231.2 km

Coordinate frame

Start -28.27842, 29.13324
Midpoint -29.65933, 30.45511
End -28.77079, 32.05778
Destination services

Available in Richards Bay

Useful places near your destination, from everyday essentials to local stops that can help you settle in faster when you arrive.

Service groups 5
Schools Clothing stores Fuel stations and garages Supermarkets Shopping malls
Nearby category Schools Top 6 nearby matches around Richards Bay
6
Nearby category Clothing stores Top 2 nearby matches around Richards Bay
2
  • H&M
    3900
  • PEP
    Richards Bay, 3900, KwaZulu-Natal
Nearby category Fuel stations and garages Top 2 nearby matches around Richards Bay
2
Nearby category Supermarkets Top 6 nearby matches around Richards Bay
6
Nearby category Shopping malls Top 1 nearby match around Richards Bay
1
  • Edgars
    Shop 23 Karel Landman Street dundee 3000 Karel Landman Street Dundee, Dundee
Destination brief

Travelling to Richards Bay

A polished arrival snapshot covering what stands out, who the place suits best and what to keep in mind before you get there.

Signature Subtropical coast and wetlands gateway
Standout Working port city with easy access to nature
Richards Bay mixes port-city function with beaches, wetlands and game reserve access, giving it a practical coastal character rather than a pure resort identity.
Best for Who this destination suits
Business and port travel Subtropical coast stay Wetlands access North coast base
Arrival What to expect on arrival
The wider uMhlathuze area covers more than Richards Bay alone, so travellers should choose the exact suburb, hotel or industrial zone before leaving.
Regional base Good base for nearby trips
Use Richards Bay as a base for coastal work trips, subtropical leisure stays and access to nearby reserves and wetlands.
Destination facts Quick reference details
City of uMhlathuze tourism describes the area as rich in diversity and ideal for nature lovers
The city sits about 180 km north-east of Durban
The wider area combines beaches, wetlands, reserves and cultural attractions
Route support

Route FAQ

Tap a question to expand the answer and keep the section compact while browsing the route page.

Questions 9
How far is Harrismith from Richards Bay? +
Harrismith is about 462.0 km from Richards Bay by road.
How long does it take from Harrismith to Richards Bay? +
The drive usually takes about 5 hrs 9 min depending on traffic, stops, and road conditions.
Is it possible to drive from Harrismith to Richards Bay in one day? +
Yes, for many drivers this can be done in one day.
Is taxi available from Harrismith to Richards Bay? +
Taxi may be available, but for this route it is better to confirm the latest fare at the local taxi rank.
What's the estimated fuel amount from Harrismith to Richards Bay? +
Using an estimated consumption of 7.2 L/100km for this route, 93 Petrol is about R773.46 (R23.25 / litre), 95 Petrol is about R777.12 (R23.36 / litre), Diesel 500ppm is about R861.62 (R25.90 / litre), Diesel 50ppm is about R868.60 (R26.11 / litre). Actual fuel spend can vary by vehicle, traffic and driving style.
Are there any tollgates from Harrismith to Richards Bay? +
Yes. There are 32 tollgates currently matched for this route.
What is the route verdict for this trip? +
Heavy long-distance trip: This is a serious road trip. Start early, plan rest stops, and consider whether an overnight stay makes more sense.
Is there a long-trip warning on this route? +
This is a long trip. Plan rest stops, avoid driving tired, and be careful with late-night travel.
Is there a road note for this route? +
This is a longer road trip, so a fuel or rest stop is recommended. Take a short break about every 2 hours if possible. National roads appear in this route, so watch for toll signs and busier sections.
Route support

Something wrong?

Report wrong directions, map issues, spelling mistakes, toll problems or anything else on this route for admin review.

Distance Directions Map Tolls Place issue Spelling
Your report is sent together with the current route page and route names so it is easier to review and fix.

Route Locations

Start area
Harrismith, Free State
Suburb: Not available
Road: Not available
Postal code: Not available
Destination area
Richards Bay
Suburb: Not available
Road: Not available
Postal code: Not available

Distance comparisons

Here are similar South African routes with a close travel distance, prioritised by the same province or matching province pair where possible.

Johannesburg to Polokwane Similar distance
About 293.1 km Difference: 169.0 km
Pretoria to Nelspruit Similar distance
About 276.4 km Difference: 185.6 km
Cape Town to George Similar distance
About 372.4 km Difference: 89.6 km
Durban to Richards Bay Similar distance
About 155.2 km Difference: 306.9 km
Gqeberha to East London Similar distance
About 238.6 km Difference: 223.5 km

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