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Distance from Salem to Pietermaritzburg

Salem to Pietermaritzburg is a full long-distance road trip, covering about 740.5 km in roughly 9 hrs 45 min.

N Salem → Pietermaritzburg
Road distance
740.5 km
R103
Geodesic Direct point-to-point reference
566.9 km
Road multiplier Route-to-direct distance ratio
1.31×
Navigation steps Instruction count in route set
24
Info Travel board
Travel time
9 hrs 45 min
End point
Pietermaritz Street
Return: 31 min
Rolling runtime Engine-calculated drive duration
585 min
Average velocity Distance over route runtime
75.9 km/h
Stop-adjusted ETA 4 planned rest stops
10 hrs 45 min
Fuel Service sign
Estimated fuel cost - 7.2 L/100km
93 Petrol R26.52 / litre
R1,413.94
95 Petrol R26.63 / litre
R1,419.80
Diesel 500ppm R32.30 / litre
R1,722.11
Diesel 50ppm R32.50 / litre
R1,732.77
93 Petrol R26.52 / litre
R1,865.61
95 Petrol R26.63 / litre
R1,873.35
Diesel 500ppm R32.30 / litre
R2,272.22
Diesel 50ppm R32.50 / litre
R2,286.29
93 Petrol R26.52 / litre
R2,454.76
95 Petrol R26.63 / litre
R2,464.94
Diesel 500ppm R32.30 / litre
R2,989.77
Diesel 50ppm R32.50 / litre
R3,008.28
See more fuel details from Salem to Pietermaritzburg
🧭 Route vector
Compass bearing
42° NE
Forward azimuth heading
Return heading Reverse azimuth
222° SW
Coordinate delta Lat / Lon shift
North-East
Start coords Origin point
-33.4694, 26.4816
End coords Destination point
-29.6000, 30.3789
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.

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Route

Route overview

Live map, directions, tolls and route services.

Map Directions Tolls Trip planning
Route map

Live map

Start, destination and route line.

740.5 km 9 hrs 45 min
Start Salem
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
    12.4 km
  4. At the end of the road, turn right
    131.0 km
  5. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit
    0.1 km
  6. Continue
    0.5 km
  7. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit
    0.1 km
  8. Continue
    0.6 km
  9. Turn right
    0.9 km
  10. Turn left onto Grey Street
    0.5 km
  11. Continue straight onto Maitland Road
    4.3 km
  12. Continue straight onto Komga Road
    67.3 km
  13. Turn left
    163.6 km
  14. Turn left onto Madeira Street
    212.2 km
  15. Take the exit ramp slight left
    0.4 km
  16. Turn left
    144.4 km
  17. Turn slight left towards R103
    0.1 km
  18. Turn slight left onto Chief Albert Luthuli Road
    1.4 km
  19. Turn right onto Langalibalele Street
    0.2 km
  20. Turn left onto Henrietta Street
    0.1 km
  21. Turn left onto Church Street
    0.0 km
  22. Turn right onto Otto Street
    0.2 km
  23. At the end of the road, turn left onto Pietermaritz Street
    0.0 km
  24. You have arrived at your destination
    0.0 km
Navigation sign

Tolls on this route

R
Tolls found 0
Known total —
Main toll road R103
We found matching toll-road records for this route, but no tollgate point was close enough to the route line to display as a confirmed route toll.
R103 R103 R103 R103
Routes ↩ Pietermaritzburg → Salem Salem to Johannesburg Salem to Pretoria Salem to Cape Town Salem to Durban Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg Pretoria to Pietermaritzburg Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg
Stop Stopover sign
Halfway point
370.4 km
Mid-route position Road corridor partition
50 / 50
Time partition Start / finish split
4 hrs 52 min • 4 hrs 52 min
Waypoint reference Nearest route marker
Mid-route reference
Vec Consumption & emissions
Consumption & emissions profile
53.3 L needed
Moderate efficiency • 7.2 L/100km baseline
CO2 emitted Estimated tailpipe output
123.2 kg
Fuel mass Approximate tank weight
40.0 kg
Cost per km Based on 95 Petrol
R1.92
Directness index As-the-crow-flies ratio
76.6%
☀ Solar data
Daylight window at Pietermaritzburg
06:31 – 17:17
Active daylight
Solar noonHighest sun position
Total daylightUsable driving light
10 hrs 46 min
Light remainingUntil sunset
8 min
SunriseDawn break
06:31
Fin Tax & wear
Wear & SARS deduction
R3,095.29
Single trip SARS allowance
SARS rate R4.18/km fixed rate
R4.18/km
Tyre wear Estimated tread cost
R14.81
Service wear Oil & filter allocation
R148.10
Total trip wear Excludes fuel & tolls
R3,258.20
Nav Maneuver index
Navigation complexity
Moderate (11)
Turn difficulty rating
Roundabouts Multi-path navigation
2
Lane merges Yield required
0
Complex forks Path selection
0
Highway exits Deceleration zones
3
Route atlas

Atlas Route Specification

Route sheet

ZA-ATLAS
Origin Salem -33.46941, 26.48155
Midpoint
370.4 km
Total: 740.5 km
Midpoint 370.4 km
740.5 km 9 hrs 45 min
Destination Pietermaritzburg End: Pietermaritz Street -29.60000, 30.37889

Route sheet

Route class Resolved South Africa route
Province span South Africa
One-way road span 740.5 km
Return-cycle span 1,481.0 km
Traversal time 9 hrs 45 min
Maneuver count 24
Maneuver density 3.2 /100 km
Midpoint chainage 370.4 km

Coordinate frame

Start -33.46941, 26.48155
Midpoint -31.65122, 28.71780
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 Salem from Pietermaritzburg? +
Salem is about 740.5 km from Pietermaritzburg by road.
How long does it take from Salem to Pietermaritzburg? +
The drive usually takes about 9 hrs 45 min depending on traffic, stops, and road conditions.
Is it possible to drive from Salem 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 Salem 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 Salem to Pietermaritzburg? +
Using an estimated consumption of 7.2 L/100km for this route, 93 Petrol is about R1,413.94 (R26.52 / litre), 95 Petrol is about R1,419.80 (R26.63 / litre), Diesel 500ppm is about R1,722.11 (R32.30 / litre), Diesel 50ppm is about R1,732.77 (R32.50 / litre). Actual fuel spend can vary by vehicle, traffic and driving style.
Are there any tollgates from Salem to Pietermaritzburg? +
No tollgates are 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. This route looks more local or regional, but always check signs and road conditions on the day.
Editorial

From the editorial desk

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Route support

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Route Locations

Start area
Salem, Eastern Cape
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.

Cape Town to George Similar distance
About 372.4 km Difference: 368.1 km
Gqeberha to East London Overlapping province
About 238.6 km Difference: 501.9 km
Johannesburg to Polokwane Similar distance
About 293.1 km Difference: 447.4 km
Pretoria to Nelspruit Similar distance
About 276.4 km Difference: 464.1 km
East London to Mthatha Overlapping province
About 178.6 km Difference: 561.9 km

Reverse route and related trips

View distance from Pietermaritzburg to Salem

Salem to Johannesburg Salem to Pretoria Salem to Cape Town Salem to Durban Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg Pretoria to Pietermaritzburg Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg Durban to Pietermaritzburg

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