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Distance from Johannesburg to Cape Town

Calculate road distance, travel time, midpoint stops, nearby essentials, taxi fare guidance, toll route discovery, route conversions and smarter trip planning in one premium route page.

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Trip verdict: Very long trip

This is a demanding long-distance route. Treat it as a serious travel day and consider an overnight stop.
Long-trip warning
This is a long trip. Plan rest stops, avoid driving tired, and be careful with late-night travel.
Road distance
1,397.2 km
868.2 mi • 754.3 nmi
Travel time
15 hrs 11 min
Return: 30 hrs 23 min
Estimated fuel cost
Check fuel estimation
from Johannesburg to Cape Town
Taxi fare estimate
Check local taxi rank
Long-distance caution
Halfway point
698.9 km
Gauteng to Western Cape

Smart trip summary

Johannesburg to Cape Town is a full long-distance road trip, covering about 1,397.2 km in roughly 15 hrs 11 min. It also crosses a provincial boundary.

For taxi users, this route is better treated as a check-at-rank route rather than a fixed estimate.

Cross province: Gauteng to Western Cape Return trip: 2,794.5 km Halfway: 698.9 km Taxi: Check local taxi rank

Live route map

Turn-by-turn directions

  1. Head on Commissioner Street (1.0 km)
  2. Turn left onto Simmonds Street (0.8 km)
  3. Turn right onto Trump Street (0.2 km)
  4. Turn left onto Booysens Road (3.3 km)
  5. Keep slight left at the fork towards M1 (0.6 km)
  6. Merge slight right (2.7 km)
  7. Keep slight right at the fork (0.8 km)
  8. Take the exit ramp slight left towards N12: Soweto (1.4 km)
  9. Merge slight right onto Southern Bypass (6.1 km)
  10. Keep slight right at the fork (915.9 km)
  11. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Donkin Street (0.1 km)
  12. Continue onto Donkin Street (388.0 km)
  13. Continue straight (73.3 km)
  14. Take the exit ramp slight left towards M60: Cape Town (0.5 km)
  15. Keep slight left at the fork towards M60: Zonnebloem (0.1 km)
  16. Turn slight left onto Christiaan Barnard Street (0.9 km)
  17. Turn right onto Sir Lowry Road (0.3 km)
  18. Continue slight right onto Darling Street (0.1 km)
  19. Turn left onto Buitenkant Street (0.6 km)
  20. Turn right onto Roeland Street (0.3 km)
  21. At the end of the road, turn left onto Saint Johns Road (0.2 km)
  22. Turn right onto Gallery Lane (0.1 km)
  23. You have arrived at your destination (0.0 km)

Alternative driving routes

Alternative route 1
1,431.6 km • 16 hrs 42 min
+34.4 km vs main route
+1 hr 30 min slower
  1. Head on Commissioner Street (1.0 km)
  2. Turn left onto Simmonds Street (0.8 km)
  3. Turn right onto Trump Street (0.2 km)
  4. Turn left onto Booysens Road (3.3 km)
  5. Keep slight left at the fork towards M1 (0.6 km)
  6. Merge slight right (2.7 km)
  7. Keep slight right at the fork (0.8 km)
  8. Take the exit ramp slight left towards N12: Soweto (1.4 km)

Distance conversions

Distance type Miles Kilometers Nautical Miles
Driving distance 868.2 mi 1,397.2 km 754.3 nmi
Straight distance 784.44 mi 1,262.44 km 681.53 nmi

Available in Cape Town

Schools, clothing stores, accommodation, offices, electronics, sports, transport and home furniture found close to the destination.

Schools
Clothing stores
Offices
Electronics
  • Maker Station
    9 Plein Street, Cape Town
    Approx. 1,394.6 km
  • Incredible Connection
    Incredible Connection, Breakwater Lane, V&A Waterfront, Foreshore, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
    Approx. 1,395.0 km
  • iStore
    Dock Road
    Approx. 1,395.6 km
  • Cell Zone
    Cell Zone, Plein Street, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
    Approx. 1,396.7 km
  • Azhaan Cellular
    Main Road, Cape Town, 8005
    Approx. 1,397.2 km
  • Yello Cell and Electronics
    Regent Road
    Approx. 1,399.2 km
Sports
  • Baseline
    68 Auckland Street, Paarden Eiland
    Approx. 1,390.5 km
  • Orca Concept Store
    Orca Concept Store, Upper Portswood Road, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8005, South Africa
    Approx. 1,396.0 km

  • 94 Strand Street, 8000
    Approx. 1,396.3 km
  • Sportmans Warehouse
    Sportmans Warehouse, 1, Canterbury Street, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 7925, South Africa
    Approx. 1,396.4 km
  • Alpha Skateboards
    Alpha Skateboards, Buiten Street, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
    Approx. 1,397.2 km
  • Baseline
    8 Kloof Street, Cape Town, 8001
    Approx. 1,397.4 km
Transport
  • Cape Town Station
    1 Adderley Street, Cape Town, 8000
    Approx. 1,396.0 km
  • Upper Long
    Upper Long, Long Street, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
    Approx. 1,397.3 km
  • Upper Long
    South China Dim Sum Bar, 289, Long Street, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
    Approx. 1,397.3 km
  • SA Jewish Museum
    SA Jewish Museum, Saint Johns Road, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
    Approx. 1,397.3 km
  • South African Museum
    South African Museum, Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
    Approx. 1,397.4 km
  • Michaelis
    University of Cape Town Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street, Cape Town Ward 115, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa
    Approx. 1,397.5 km
Home furniture

Route FAQ

How far is Johannesburg from Cape Town?
Johannesburg is about 1,397.2 km from Cape Town by road.
How long does it take from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
The drive usually takes about 15 hrs 11 min depending on traffic, stops, and road conditions.
Is it possible to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town 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 Johannesburg to Cape Town?
Taxi may be available, but for this route it is better to confirm the latest fare at the local taxi rank.
Where can I check fuel cost from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
Use the dedicated fuel.distance.africa route calculator for the latest fuel estimate for this exact route.
Where can I check tollgates from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
Use the tollgates.co.za checker for tollgate-focused route details for this exact trip.

Arrival time calculator

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Tollgates on this route

Tollgate checker Check tollgates from Johannesburg to Cape Town This route may include national roads where toll sections can exist. Check road signs on the day of travel.

Taxi fare estimate

Estimated fare
Check local taxi rank
Not safely estimated
Taxi type
long-distance / transfer route
Trip context
Cross-province route
Last updated
Auto logic
Important note
Taxi fare is not shown for this route because long-distance and interprovincial fares vary a lot by rank, route, transfers, and time.

Towns along the route

: Soweto
From Johannesburg To Cape Town
Kimberley
From Johannesburg To Cape Town
Bloemfontein
From Johannesburg To Cape Town
ern Bypass
From Johannesburg To Cape Town
: Cape Town
From Johannesburg To Cape Town
: Zonnebloem
From Johannesburg To Cape Town
Gallery Lane
From Johannesburg To Cape Town

Road note

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 crosses a provincial boundary. National roads appear in this route, so watch for toll signs and busier sections.

Halfway point

Halfway distance
698.9 km
Halfway time
7 hrs 35 min
Coordinates
-31.0968, 24.4108
Suggested use
Fuel, rest or quick handover stop

Nearby essentials around the route midpoint

No nearby essentials found for this midpoint.

Trip modes

Fastest drive
15 hrs 11 min
Direct drive with no planned stop.
Comfort drive
15 hrs 26 min
Adds one short refreshment stop.
Family trip
15 hrs 46 min
Adds two relaxed stops for food and breaks.
Business trip
15 hrs 31 min
Leaves buffer for fuel and arrival preparation.

Departure ideas

Early start
Thu, 26 Mar at 06:00
Usually calmer and better for longer drives.
Mid-morning
Thu, 26 Mar at 09:00
Good if you want daylight without leaving very early.
After lunch
Thu, 26 Mar at 13:00
Useful for same-day regional trips.
Evening
Wed, 25 Mar at 19:00
Can help you avoid some afternoon traffic.

Route Locations

Start area
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Suburb: Not available
Road: Not available
Postal code: 2001
Destination area
Cape Town, Western Cape
Suburb: Not available
Road: Not available
Postal code: 8001

Postal codes

Johannesburg
2001
Cape Town
8001

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: 1,024.8 km
Johannesburg to Polokwane Overlapping province
About 293.1 km Difference: 1,104.2 km
Pretoria to Nelspruit Overlapping province
About 276.4 km Difference: 1,120.8 km
Gqeberha to East London Similar distance
About 238.6 km Difference: 1,158.7 km
Rustenburg to Mahikeng Similar distance
About 161.5 km Difference: 1,235.7 km

Reverse route and related trips

View distance from Cape Town to Johannesburg

Johannesburg to Pretoria Johannesburg to Cape Town Johannesburg to Durban Johannesburg to Polokwane Johannesburg to Cape Town Pretoria to Cape Town Durban to Cape Town Polokwane to Cape Town

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