N3 highway — a clear guide for drivers between Durban and Johannesburg

The N3 is one of South Africa’s busiest long-distance roads. If you drive between Durban and Johannesburg you’ll use it for most of the trip. It links major cities, carries heavy truck traffic and has a couple of steep passes where conditions change fast. Know the route, tolls, and risks before you go — it makes the trip smoother and safer.

Where the N3 runs and what to expect

The N3 starts near Durban on the coast and runs inland toward Johannesburg, passing towns like Pietermaritzburg and Harrismith and climbing the famous Van Reenen's Pass. For stretches you’ll share the road with slow-moving trucks, especially on the climbs and descents. There’s often roadwork, and motorway-style sections around big cities change into two-lane or three-lane roads in rural areas.

Traffic patterns vary by time and day. Weekends and holiday periods bring lots of cars southbound to the coast, while weekdays have steady freight traffic. Weather can hit you hard on the high ground — fog, heavy rain and strong winds are common on the pass. That’s when delays and accidents happen most.

Tolls, alternatives and live info

The N3 has toll plazas along the route. Tolls fund maintenance and upgrades, so expect to pay at multiple points. Keep your payment method ready and check the latest toll rates before you travel. If you want to avoid tolls for parts of the trip, the R103 parallels the N3 in several places. It’s slower and goes through towns, but it’s useful if there’s a long delay or you want a scenic detour.

Before you set off, check live traffic and official travel notices. Use apps like Google Maps or Waze for real-time delays, and look at the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) updates for roadworks or lane closures. Local news and social feeds also warn about community protests or roadblocks that can close sections of the highway without much notice.

Practical tips: start early to avoid peak weekend traffic, refill at major service stations, and plan fuel stops — some stretches have long distances between facilities. Carry change or a card for tolls, and keep an emergency kit with water, a flashlight and a phone charger.

Driving the N3 is straightforward if you plan ahead. Respect heavy vehicles on the climbs, adjust speed for weather, and use rest stops when tired. Short checks before you leave — tyre pressure, coolant, fuel — reduce the chance of a breakdown that could cost you hours. Safe trip planning beats being stuck on the side of the road.

If you travel this road often, consider timing trips outside peak holiday windows and signing up for traffic alerts. A small bit of planning makes the N3 a reliable and direct route between the coast and the interior.