South Africa route platform Distance24 Road distance, travel time and route planning across South Africa.
Donate

Distance from Heidelberg to Richards Bay

Heidelberg to Richards Bay is a full long-distance road trip, covering about 1,586.9 km in roughly 18 hrs 39 min.

N Heidelberg → Richards Bay
Road distance
1,586.9 km
986.0 mi • 856.7 nmi
Geodesic Direct point-to-point reference
1,206.7 km
Road multiplier Route-to-direct distance ratio
1.32×
Navigation steps Instruction count in route set
39
Info Travel board
Travel time
18 hrs 39 min
Return: 37 hrs 18 min
Rolling runtime Engine-calculated drive duration
18 hrs 39 min
Average velocity Distance over route runtime
85.1 km/h
Stop-adjusted ETA 9 planned rest stops
20 hrs 54 min
Fuel Service sign
Estimated fuel cost - 7.2 L/100km
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R2,656.41
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R2,668.98
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R2,959.18
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R2,983.18
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R3,504.98
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R3,521.57
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R3,904.48
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R3,936.13
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R4,611.82
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R4,633.64
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R5,137.47
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R5,179.12
See more fuel details from Heidelberg to Richards Bay
Wx Destination weather
Today's outlook for Richards Bay
Live weather unavailable
Showing drive timing instead
Fastest drive Direct drive estimate
18 hrs 39 min
Comfort drive Allows a short stop
18 hrs 54 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.

Suggest accommodation
Route

Route overview

Live map, directions, tolls and route services.

Map Directions Tolls Trip planning
Route map

Live map

Start, destination and route line.

1,586.9 km 18 hrs 39 min
Start Heidelberg
Finish Richards Bay
Map key
Start point
Destination
Driving route
Navigation sign

Turn-by-turn directions

↑
  1. Start your journey
    0.0 km
  2. Turn left onto Van Riebeeck Street
    1.5 km
  3. At the end of the road, turn left
    109.7 km
  4. Take the exit ramp straight towards N2: George
    0.9 km
  5. Continue straight
    50.9 km
  6. Keep slight right at the fork towards N2: Knysna
    1.2 km
  7. Continue straight
    0.6 km
  8. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit
    0.0 km
  9. Continue
    10.6 km
  10. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit
    0.0 km
  11. Continue
    5.8 km
  12. Continue straight
    0.3 km
  13. Continue straight
    1.9 km
  14. Continue straight
    62.5 km
  15. Continue straight
    3.5 km
  16. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit
    0.0 km
  17. Continue
    1.5 km
  18. Keep slight right at the fork
    0.2 km
  19. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit
    0.0 km
  20. Continue
    276.1 km
  21. Take the exit ramp slight left towards N2: Grahamstown
    0.9 km
  22. Continue straight
    0.7 km
  23. Take the exit ramp slight left towards R72: Port Alfred
    0.3 km
  24. At the end of the road, turn right
    236.1 km
  25. Turn left onto Currie Street
    1.1 km
  26. Continue straight onto Fitzpatrick Road
    0.3 km
  27. Continue straight onto Valley Road
    0.9 km
  28. Continue straight onto North East Expressway
    4.1 km
  29. Continue straight
    0.3 km
  30. Turn right towards N2
    0.5 km
  31. Merge slight right
    217.7 km
  32. Turn left onto Madeira Street
    304.3 km
  33. Take the exit ramp left towards N2: Durban
    0.6 km
  34. Continue straight
    105.1 km
  35. Keep slight right at the fork
    172.5 km
  36. Take the exit ramp slight left towards R34: Richards Bay
    0.6 km
  37. Turn right onto John Ross Highway
    13.2 km
  38. Continue make a U-turn onto John Ross Highway
    0.1 km
  39. You have arrived at your destination
    0.0 km
Navigation sign

Tolls on this route

R
Tolls found 29
Known total R993.00
Main toll road N2 - North Coast Toll Road
This route includes 29 toll points from our database. The strongest toll-road match is N2 - North Coast Toll Road.
Mvoti Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R18.50
Oribi
Road: Road not linked yet
R41.00
Oribi
Road: Road not linked yet
R41.00
Mvoti Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R18.50
Oribi
Road: Road not linked yet
R41.00
Oribi
Road: Road not linked yet
R41.00
Tsitsikamma
Road: Road not linked yet
R73.00
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
oThongathi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R15.50
Mtunzini Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R53.00
Mtunzini Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R53.00
oThongathi
Road: Road not linked yet
R7.50
King Shaka Airport
Road: Road not linked yet
R8.50
Dokodweni Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R27.00
oThongathi
Road: Road not linked yet
R7.50
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
Tsitsikamma
Road: Road not linked yet
R73.00
Tsitsikamma
Road: Road not linked yet
R73.00
Dokodweni
Road: Road not linked yet
R27.00
Umtentweni
Road: Road not linked yet
R17.50
Oribi
Road: Road not linked yet
R41.00
Mandini Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R10.00
Mandini
Road: Road not linked yet
R10.00
Oribi
Road: Road not linked yet
R41.00
Umtentweni
Road: Road not linked yet
R17.50
Stop Stopover sign
Halfway point
793.4 km
Mid-route position Road corridor partition
50 / 50
Time partition Start / finish split
9 hrs 19 min • 9 hrs 19 min
Waypoint reference Nearest route marker
Mid-route reference
Loc Route geography
Route geography
Heidelberg → Richards Bay
Start and destination context
Start area Origin
Heidelberg, Western Cape
Destination area Arrival
Richards Bay
Road span Street reference
— • —
Post Postal reference
Postal reference
— • —
Heidelberg → Richards Bay
Heidelberg Origin postcode
Not available
Richards Bay Destination postcode
Not available
Province span Route area
South Africa
Set Nearby route set
Nearby route set
Cape Town to George
3 other similar routes
Cape Town to George Overlapping province
1,214.4 km
Gqeberha to East London Similar distance
1,348.3 km
Johannesburg to Polokwane Similar distance
1,293.8 km
Rev Related route set
Related route set
Richards Bay → Heidelberg
Heidelberg ↔ Richards Bay
Open
Heidelberg to Pretoria Related trip
Open
Open
Route atlas

Atlas Route Specification

Route sheet

ZA-ATLAS
Origin Heidelberg -34.08996, 20.95859
Midpoint
793.4 km
Total: 1,586.9 km
Midpoint 793.4 km
1,586.9 km 18 hrs 39 min
Destination Richards Bay -28.77079, 32.05778

Route sheet

Route class Resolved South Africa route
Province span South Africa
One-way road span 1,586.9 km
Return-cycle span 3,173.7 km
Traversal time 18 hrs 39 min
Maneuver count 39
Maneuver density 2.5 /100 km
Midpoint chainage 793.4 km

Coordinate frame

Start -34.08996, 20.95859
Midpoint -32.81439, 28.01718
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 Heidelberg from Richards Bay? +
Heidelberg is about 1,586.9 km from Richards Bay by road.
How long does it take from Heidelberg to Richards Bay? +
The drive usually takes about 18 hrs 39 min depending on traffic, stops, and road conditions.
Is it possible to drive from Heidelberg to Richards Bay in one day? +
It is possible, but for many travellers this is better treated as a very long same-day trip or an overnight trip.
Is taxi available from Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg to Richards Bay? +
Using an estimated consumption of 7.2 L/100km for this route, 93 Petrol is about R2,656.41 (R23.25 / litre), 95 Petrol is about R2,668.98 (R23.36 / litre), Diesel 500ppm is about R2,959.18 (R25.90 / litre), Diesel 50ppm is about R2,983.18 (R26.11 / litre). Actual fuel spend can vary by vehicle, traffic and driving style.
Are there any tollgates from Heidelberg to Richards Bay? +
Yes. There are 29 tollgates currently matched for this route.
What is the route verdict for this trip? +
Very long trip: This is a demanding long-distance route. Treat it as a serious travel day and consider an overnight stop.
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.
Editorial

From the editorial desk

Fresh route reads, destination ideas and planning guides from the Distance24 editorial blog.

Open blog
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.

Towns along the route

: George
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
Port Elizabeth
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
: Knysna
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
: Grahamstown
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
: Port Alfred
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
Expressway
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
: Durban
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
: Richards Bay
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
Empangeni
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay
Ulundi
From Heidelberg To Richards Bay

Route Locations

Start area
Heidelberg, Western Cape
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.

Cape Town to George Overlapping province
About 372.4 km Difference: 1,214.4 km
Gqeberha to East London Similar distance
About 238.6 km Difference: 1,348.3 km
Johannesburg to Polokwane Similar distance
About 293.1 km Difference: 1,293.8 km
Pretoria to Nelspruit Similar distance
About 276.4 km Difference: 1,310.5 km
East London to Mthatha Similar distance
About 178.6 km Difference: 1,408.3 km

Reverse route and related trips

View distance from Richards Bay to Heidelberg

Heidelberg to Johannesburg Heidelberg to Pretoria Heidelberg to Cape Town Heidelberg to Durban Johannesburg to Richards Bay Pretoria to Richards Bay Cape Town to Richards Bay Durban to Richards Bay

Legal and trust information

Access pages for Distance24.co.za and distance24.co.za/fuel, including privacy, terms, disclaimers, contact details and editorial standards.

Open Trust Centre
Privacy Policy Data, cookies and privacy requests → Terms of Use Rules, responsibilities and usage terms → Disclaimer Important estimate and route limitations → Contact Support, privacy, editorial and ads →
Trust Centre About Privacy Policy Terms of Use Disclaimer PAIA Manual Contact Advertising Disclosure Editorial Policy Cookies Corrections

© 2026 Distance24.co.za. All rights reserved.

Distance24.co.za combines Leaflet, OpenStreetMap, Nominatim, Geoapify, OSRM, OpenRouteService and Open-Meteo to power map display, place search, route planning, distance calculations and weather information.