Based on historical records, the Easter break experiences some of the busiest traffic volumes in South Africa each year. Thousands of households set out on trips via commonly used paths to reach beloved vacation spots during this time, seeking much-deserved leisure and rejuvenation.
And fuel prices experienced a significant decrease the previous month, which ought to lure an even greater number of budget-conscious drivers Onto the roads in 2025. Therefore, which days and times see the most traffic on these routes? What can smart travelers steer clear of to ensure they arrive at their destinations safely, punctually, and with minimal hassle?
2025 EASTER HOLIDAY RUSH
Well, according to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) And according to the toll operator SANRAL, here are the days and hours you should try to avoid:
- Usually, traffic reaches its peak the day before Good Friday; hence, today, Thursday 17 April 2025 .
- The N3 toll route to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) sees a peak of nearly 1 500 cars every hour coming into the province from Gauteng.
- In terms of time, volumes grow at an exponential rate after this point. 12h00 (noon) to 18h00 , prior to drifting off by 20h00 in the evening.
- The highest level of traffic jams during this Easter break will consequently intensify starting from 14h00 to 18h00 today, as holidaymakers make their dash out of the cities.
MAJOR ROUTES TO TRY AVOID
Furthermore, SANRAL’s past records may indicate the paths carrying the largest number of vehicles , as well. Therefore, if you intend to travel through any main routes, think about changing your departure time. Alternatively, just prepare yourself for possible delays.
The N3 to Durban will undoubtedly be South Africa’s busiest road over the Easter holiday. Plenty of Gauteng city dwellers make it a ritual to travel to warm, sunny KZN this time of year. Watch out for toll-road back-ups and accidents aplenty.
The N1 The toll road leading to Beitbridge is favoured by foreigners returning to Zimbabwe and also serves vacationers traveling towards the Kruger National Park.
The N2 Along the Garden Route, we can expect to see the highest traffic volumes recorded up until 2025.
SAFETY MEASURES
Traffic officials generally introduce extra safety steps during this period. These include heightened presence of traffic personnel and checkpoints. As has been previously covered, officials are adopting a stricter approach. a zero-tolerance stance towards drinking and driving , too.
Hence, smart drivers might prefer steering clear of heavy traffic jams. By leaving earlier than 12h00 (noon) on Thursday, the 17th of April, or by delaying their journey till late Friday morning for a smoother trip.
WILL YOU BE ON THE ROAD THIS EASTER BREAK?
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