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

Distance from Potchefstroom to Pietermaritzburg

Potchefstroom to Pietermaritzburg is a full long-distance road trip, covering about 602.4 km in roughly 6 hrs 58 min.

N Potchefstroom → Pietermaritzburg
Road distance
602.4 km
374.3 mi • 325.2 nmi
Geodesic Direct point-to-point reference
454.9 km
Road multiplier Route-to-direct distance ratio
1.32×
Navigation steps Instruction count in route set
20
Info Travel board
Travel time
6 hrs 58 min
Return: 13 hrs 56 min
Rolling runtime Engine-calculated drive duration
6 hrs 58 min
Average velocity Distance over route runtime
86.4 km/h
Stop-adjusted ETA 3 planned rest stops
7 hrs 43 min
Fuel Service sign
Estimated fuel cost - 7.2 L/100km
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R1,008.46
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R1,013.24
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R1,123.41
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R1,132.52
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R1,330.61
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R1,336.91
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R1,482.27
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R1,494.29
93 Petrol R23.25 / litre
R1,750.81
95 Petrol R23.36 / litre
R1,759.09
Diesel 500ppm R25.90 / litre
R1,950.36
Diesel 50ppm R26.11 / litre
R1,966.17
See more fuel details from Potchefstroom to Pietermaritzburg
Wx Destination weather
Today's outlook for Pietermaritzburg
Live weather unavailable
Showing drive timing instead
Fastest drive Direct drive estimate
6 hrs 58 min
Comfort drive Allows a short stop
7 hrs 13 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 Pietermaritzburg

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.

602.4 km 6 hrs 58 min
Start Potchefstroom
Finish Pietermaritzburg
Map key
Start point
Destination
Driving route
Navigation sign

Turn-by-turn directions

↑
  1. Start your journey
    0.0 km
  2. Turn left
    0.0 km
  3. Turn right onto Luke Street
    0.1 km
  4. Turn right onto Retief Street
    0.8 km
  5. Turn right onto Govan Mbeki Drive
    0.4 km
  6. Turn left onto James Moroka Avenue
    0.6 km
  7. Turn left onto Nelson Mandela Drive
    104.7 km
  8. Keep slight left at the fork onto Southern Bypass
    18.7 km
  9. Take the exit ramp slight right towards N3: Heidelberg
    1.7 km
  10. Merge slight right
    57.8 km
  11. Keep slight left at the fork
    412.8 km
  12. Take the exit ramp slight left
    0.7 km
  13. Turn right onto Peter Brown Drive
    0.4 km
  14. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Howick Road
    0.1 km
  15. Continue onto Howick Road
    2.8 km
  16. Continue straight onto Chief Albert Luthuli Road
    0.8 km
  17. Turn left onto Prince Edward Street
    0.2 km
  18. Turn left onto Otto Street
    0.1 km
  19. Turn left onto Pietermaritz Street
    0.0 km
  20. You have arrived at your destination
    0.0 km
Navigation sign

Tolls on this route

R
Tolls found 28
Known total R1,379.00
Main toll road N3
This route includes 28 toll points from our database. The strongest toll-road match is N3. 6 Gauteng open-road / gantry toll points are shown as R0.00 because GFIP e-toll charging ended from 12 April 2024.
Unnamed e-Toll gantry near -26.268, 27.950
Road: GFIP / Gauteng e-Toll network
R0.00
Unnamed e-Toll gantry near -26.259, 28.115
Road: GFIP / Gauteng e-Toll network
R0.00
Tugela
Road: Road not linked yet
R100.00
Tugela
Road: Road not linked yet
R100.00
Treverton Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R21.00
Unnamed e-Toll gantry near -26.267, 28.073
Road: GFIP / Gauteng e-Toll network
R0.00
Wilge
Road: Road not linked yet
R94.00
Wilge
Road: Road not linked yet
R94.00
Wilge
Road: 169
R94.00
Treverton Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R21.00
Wilge
Road: Road not linked yet
R94.00
Unnamed e-Toll gantry near -26.245, 28.135
Road: GFIP / Gauteng e-Toll network
R0.00
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
Mooi Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R70.00
Unnamed e-Toll gantry near -26.263, 27.976
Road: GFIP / Gauteng e-Toll network
R0.00
Mooi
Road: Road not linked yet
R70.00
Mooi Ramp Plaza
Road: Road not linked yet
R49.00
Unnamed e-Toll gantry near -26.274, 28.149
Road: GFIP / Gauteng e-Toll network
R0.00
Gosforth
Road: Road not linked yet
R17.00
De Hoek
Road: Road not linked yet
R67.00
De Hoek
Road: Road not linked yet
R67.00
De Hoek
Road: Road not linked yet
R67.00
De Hoek
Road: Road not linked yet
R67.00
Gosforth
Road: Road not linked yet
R17.00
Bergville
Road: Road not linked yet
R30.00
Bergville
Road: Road not linked yet
R30.00
Stop Stopover sign
Halfway point
301.6 km
Mid-route position Road corridor partition
50 / 50
Time partition Start / finish split
3 hrs 29 min • 3 hrs 29 min
Waypoint reference Nearest route marker
Mid-route reference
Loc Route geography
Route geography
Potchefstroom → Pietermaritzburg
Start and destination context
Start area Origin
Potchefstroom
Destination area Arrival
Pietermaritzburg
Road span Street reference
— • —
Post Postal reference
Postal reference
— • —
Potchefstroom → Pietermaritzburg
Potchefstroom Origin postcode
Not available
Pietermaritzburg Destination postcode
Not available
Province span Route area
South Africa
Set Nearby route set
Nearby route set
Johannesburg to Polokwane
3 other similar routes
Johannesburg to Polokwane Similar distance
309.4 km
Pretoria to Nelspruit Similar distance
326.0 km
Cape Town to George Similar distance
230.0 km
Rev Related route set
Related route set
Pietermaritzburg → Potchefstroom
Potchefstroom ↔ Pietermaritzburg
Open
Open
Open
Route atlas

Atlas Route Specification

Route sheet

ZA-ATLAS
Origin Potchefstroom -26.70778, 27.09583
Midpoint
301.6 km
Total: 602.4 km
Midpoint 301.6 km
602.4 km 6 hrs 58 min
Destination Pietermaritzburg -29.60000, 30.37889

Route sheet

Route class Resolved South Africa route
Province span South Africa
One-way road span 602.4 km
Return-cycle span 1,204.9 km
Traversal time 6 hrs 58 min
Maneuver count 20
Maneuver density 3.3 /100 km
Midpoint chainage 301.6 km

Coordinate frame

Start -26.70778, 27.09583
Midpoint -27.60866, 28.86294
End -29.60000, 30.37889
Destination services

Available in Pietermaritzburg

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 Banks Fuel stations and garages Supermarkets Shopping malls
Nearby category Schools Top 6 nearby matches around Pietermaritzburg
6
Nearby category Banks Top 2 nearby matches around Pietermaritzburg
2
Nearby category Fuel stations and garages Top 5 nearby matches around Pietermaritzburg
5
Nearby category Supermarkets Top 6 nearby matches around Pietermaritzburg
6
  • Bonjour
    75 Chief Albert Luthuli Street, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
  • Pick'n'Pay
    121 Church Street, 3201
  • Shoprite
    Pietermaritzburg, 3201, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Quickshop
    27 Chief Albert Luthuli Street, Pietermaritzburg
  • Parklane Superspar
    18 Chief Albert Luthuli Road
  • Pick n Pay
    151 Victoria Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3200, KwaZulu-Natal
Nearby category Shopping malls Top 3 nearby matches around Pietermaritzburg
3
Destination brief

Travelling to Pietermaritzburg

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

Signature KZN capital city
Standout Capital city with heritage and Midlands access
Pietermaritzburg has more weight than a routine inland stop because it combines provincial-capital status with heritage, sport and quick access to the Midlands side of KwaZulu-Natal.
Best for Who this destination suits
Capital city stay Midlands gateway Business trip Heritage travel
Arrival What to expect on arrival
CBD, Scottsville, university-side and N3-adjacent arrivals can feel quite different, so the exact suburb or venue matters.
Regional base Good base for nearby trips
Use Pietermaritzburg as a KZN capital base for business travel, heritage stops and onward drives into the Midlands and Drakensberg direction.
Destination facts Quick reference details
Pietermaritzburg Tourism describes it as the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal
The city works as both a destination and a route hub
It sits close to the Midlands touring zone
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 Potchefstroom from Pietermaritzburg? +
Potchefstroom is about 602.4 km from Pietermaritzburg by road.
How long does it take from Potchefstroom to Pietermaritzburg? +
The drive usually takes about 6 hrs 58 min depending on traffic, stops, and road conditions.
Is it possible to drive from Potchefstroom to Pietermaritzburg 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 Potchefstroom to Pietermaritzburg? +
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 Potchefstroom to Pietermaritzburg? +
Using an estimated consumption of 7.2 L/100km for this route, 93 Petrol is about R1,008.46 (R23.25 / litre), 95 Petrol is about R1,013.24 (R23.36 / litre), Diesel 500ppm is about R1,123.41 (R25.90 / litre), Diesel 50ppm is about R1,132.52 (R26.11 / litre). Actual fuel spend can vary by vehicle, traffic and driving style.
Are there any tollgates from Potchefstroom to Pietermaritzburg? +
Yes. There are 28 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

ern Bypass
From Potchefstroom To Pietermaritzburg
: Heidelberg
From Potchefstroom To Pietermaritzburg
Durban
From Potchefstroom To Pietermaritzburg

Route Locations

Start area
Potchefstroom
Suburb: Not available
Road: Not available
Postal code: Not available
Destination area
Pietermaritzburg
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: 309.4 km
Pretoria to Nelspruit Similar distance
About 276.4 km Difference: 326.0 km
Cape Town to George Similar distance
About 372.4 km Difference: 230.0 km
Gqeberha to East London Similar distance
About 238.6 km Difference: 363.9 km
Rustenburg to Mahikeng Similar distance
About 161.5 km Difference: 440.9 km

Reverse route and related trips

View distance from Pietermaritzburg to Potchefstroom

Potchefstroom to Johannesburg Potchefstroom to Pretoria Potchefstroom to Cape Town Potchefstroom to Durban Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg Pretoria to Pietermaritzburg Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg Durban to Pietermaritzburg

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.