The busiest days on the road this festive season
Here are the predicted busiest times and days on the roads over the festive period.
Dezemba is in full swing, and the air is already filled with good energy, excitement and holiday vibes – just as a South African December should be.
With the anticipation of closing your laptop for the final time in 2025, come plans to commute to various locations across the country to finally enjoy a well-deserved holiday.
READ: Three new cars make Most Hijacked Vehicles of the Year list
Unfortunately, this means the roads will be packed with commuters trying to reach their destinations, and those planning to travel should brace for heavy traffic.
Busiest days and times on the road this festive season
Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire has identified peak times and dates when motorists can expect the heaviest traffic along the N1 and N4 routes.
In December, the busiest times and dates are expected to be the 12th, 15th, 19th, 24th and 31st between 12:00 and 21:00, as well as the 13th and 20th between 06:00 and 15:00.
In January, heavy traffic is expected on the 4th and 11th between 12:00 and 21:00.
"With traffic volumes expected to rise sharply, Bakwena encourages all road users to plan ahead," the agency said.
Busiest days to travel on all roads
According to National Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi, the busiest days for travel overall are typically 15 to 16 December and 22 to 24 December.
2 to 4 January are the busiest days for return traffic.
READ: Why did Woolies really change their bags to white?
Msibi recommends that motorists avoid driving at night between 18:00 and 23:00 and in the early morning between 03:00 and 07:00, as driver fatigue is at its highest during these times.
The busiest roads
In 2024, Caxton Local Media spoke to the South African National Roads Agency’s general manager of marketing and communication, Vusi Mona.
Mona revealed the roads expected to be the busiest during the festive season, and it is likely that these routes will once again experience the heaviest traffic:
- N2 North Coast – Durban to Tongaat
- N2 South Coast – Durban to Winkelspruit
- N4 East – Pretoria to Mbombela
- N1 North – Pretoria to Polokwane
- N3 South – Johannesburg to Durban
- N1 South – Huguenot Tunnel to Cape Town
- N4 West – Pretoria to Brits
- N1 South – Johannesburg to Bloemfontein
Major change for toll plazas in South Africa
As of 1 December 2025, motorists will no longer be able to pay with old magnetic swipe cards when passing through toll booths.
SANRAL has confirmed that it is officially moving to tap-to-pay, a faster and more convenient way to get you back on the road.
Contactless payments have already become a firm favourite across South Africa, with card swipes slowly being phased out wherever tap-to-pay is supported.
According to SANRAL, the upgrade has been months in the making as the agency works to streamline the toll-gate experience.
READ: Adorable moment Siya Kolisi lifts baby after Springbok match
The agency told MyBroadband in September that all toll booths would be tap-to-pay ready before year-end, and that promise is now taking shape.
Over the past two months, SANRAL has been rolling out tap-to-pay terminals across its 30 self-managed toll plazas, while many other plazas have already been offering the contactless option since last year.
"From 1 December 2025, magnetic swipe cards will no longer work at toll booths," SANRAL stated.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Images: iStock