How to dodge the worst N1-traffic: *Jo'burg to Cape Town*

Travelling from Gauteng  to Cape Town? Take the stress-free route via Kimberley

By Roger Houghton

Every time I travel from Gauteng to Cape Town via the stress-free Kimberley route I am amazed at the low traffic volume, given the excellent quality of the roads. Over the years the roads have improved markedly and the only delay this time was a stop-go near Hopetown, where the bridge over the Orange River is being widened.

I have even worked out a route from Pretoria to the N12 south of Klerksdorp to avoid traffic and the necessity to drive through the busy towns of Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp. Driving from Pretoria I take the freeway towards Krugersdorp, turning right to Ventersdorp at the foot of the Krugersdorp hill. Then go via Ventersdorp to the village of Hartbeesfontein before joining the N12 and you are on your way to the Western Cape without traffic hassles!

The drive is relaxing with so little traffic and a stay over in Victoria West is a good way to end the day. The next day you have 62km of enjoyable driving with little traffic before joining the N1 at Three Sisters.

From there on you need to have your wits about you as you suddenly must deal with much heavier traffic and aggressive drivers who take chances as they pass the queues of trucks and cars ahead of them.

One consolation is that the first day of your holiday had been stress-free and this was at least a better way to start your holiday than fighting the heavy traffic on the N1 from Gauteng via Bloemfontein to Three Sisters from Day 1!