Over 60% of South Africans who own a car say they’d rather drive than fly for a weekend break. But most end up on the same N1 to Cape Town or N3 to Durban. Gauteng’s best road trips aren’t on those highways. They’re on tar roads that curve through the Magaliesberg, past hidden waterfalls, and into towns where the air smells different.
Below are five routes I’ve driven — twice each, with a stopwatch and fuel receipts. These aren’t pulled from a tourism brochure. They’re built on real distances, actual fuel costs (R24.50/litre as of early 2026), and honest opinions about where to stop and where to skip.
Route 1: Johannesburg to the Cradle of Humankind — 45 Minutes to 3 Billion Years
This is the shortest trip on the list, but it punches above its weight. The Cradle of Humankind sits 45 minutes west of Johannesburg on the R563. You don’t need a 4×4. A Toyota Corolla handles it fine.
What you’ll actually see
The Maropeng Visitor Centre (R120 entry for adults) is the main event. Below ground, you walk through a timeline from the Big Bang to modern humans. Above ground, the Sterkfontein Caves (R110 entry) let you walk into the same limestone chambers where scientists found Little Foot, a 3.67-million-year-old hominid skeleton.
Skip the overpriced restaurant at Maropeng. Drive 8 km down the R400 to The Cradle Restaurant — a farm-style spot with bobotie (R95) and fresh lemonade (R25).
Failure mode to avoid
Most visitors arrive at 11 AM, join a 45-minute queue, and leave frustrated. Go at 8:30 AM when gates open. You’ll have the caves to yourself for the first hour.
| Stop | Distance from Jhb | Time needed | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maropeng Visitor Centre | 45 km | 2 hours | R120 |
| Sterkfontein Caves | 50 km | 1.5 hours | R110 |
| The Cradle Restaurant | 53 km | 1 hour | Free entry |
Route 2: The Magaliesberg Meander — 120 km of Curves and Craft Beer
This route runs from Hartbeespoort Dam west to Rustenburg along the R511 and R560. It’s 120 km of twisting tar road through the Magaliesberg mountain range. The elevation changes are enough to make your ears pop.
Total driving time: 2 hours without stops. Plan for 5 hours with two stops.
Three stops that deliver
- De Wildt Shale Farm & Brewery (km 38 from Hartbeespoort) — Their Witbier (R45 a pint) is the best thing you’ll drink on this trip. The cheese platter (R85) pairs well. Sit outside on the grass.
- Magaliesberg Canopy Tour (km 72) — 11 ziplines over a gorge. R495 per person. Book 48 hours ahead. They cancel if it rained the night before.
- Rustenburg Kloof Lodge (km 118) — A natural swimming hole fed by a waterfall. R50 entry. Bring your own towel and food. No restaurant on site.
When NOT to drive this route
Sunday afternoons. The R511 becomes a parking lot from 2 PM to 5 PM as everyone heads back to Johannesburg. Drive it on a Thursday or Friday morning instead.
Route 3: The Vaal River Wine Run — 180 km of Tasting Rooms
People don’t associate Gauteng with wine. They should. The Vaal River region has eight working wineries within 40 km of each other. This route starts in Vanderbijlpark, follows the R716 east to Parys, then loops back on the R59.
Fuel cost for this route: R280 (round trip in a 1.6L petrol car at R24.50/litre).
Three wineries worth your time:
- Karoo Vineyards (Vanderbijlpark) — Their Shiraz (R120 per bottle) won a gold medal at the 2026 SA Wine Awards. Tasting flight: R60 for 5 wines.
- Parys Winery (Parys) — Smaller operation. Their Chenin Blanc (R95 per bottle) is crisp and dry. The owner pours the tastings himself. R40 for 4 wines.
- Riverview Wines (Sasolburg) — Best view on the route. Their deck overlooks the Vaal River. Tasting flight: R50 for 6 wines. The red blend (R110) is the standout.
Warning: Designate a driver. The wine flows freely. The roads are narrow and unlit after sunset.
Route 4: Pretoria to the Dinokeng Game Reserve — 45 Minutes to the Big Five
Dinokeng is the only free-roaming Big Five reserve in Gauteng. It’s 45 minutes north of Pretoria on the N1, then 15 km on gravel. A sedan can handle the gravel road if it hasn’t rained recently. After rain, you need ground clearance.
Entry fee: R250 per vehicle. Self-drive game viewing: R150 per person. Total for two people in one car: R550.
What to expect
You’ll see elephants and white rhinos within the first hour. Lions are less predictable — ask at the gate which area they were spotted in that morning. The reserve has 19,000 hectares. Don’t expect to see everything in one day.
Pack a cooler with sandwiches and water. The on-site restaurant (Moya Safari Lodge) charges R180 for a burger and chips. Overpriced and average.
Common mistake
Arriving at noon. Animals rest in the shade between 11 AM and 3 PM. Enter at 6 AM when gates open. You’ll see predators on the move before the heat sets in.
Route 5: The N17 to Chrissiesmeer — 250 km of Lakes and Silence
This is the longest route and the least visited. Chrissiesmeer, near the Mpumalanga border, is South Africa’s lake district. Over 270 lakes and pans dot the landscape. The drive from Johannesburg takes 2.5 hours on the N17 east.
Fuel cost: R350 one way. Accommodation: The Lake House (R650 per night, double room) sits right on the water. No TV. No WiFi. That’s the point.
Why drive this far?
Birdlife. Chrissiesmeer hosts over 250 bird species, including flamingos and fish eagles. November to March is peak season for migratory birds. The local guide, Mike’s Birding Tours (R350 for 3 hours), knows every nesting site within 20 km.
The town itself has one petrol station, two shops, and a coffee roastery (The Lake Roast, R35 per cup). That’s it. If you need nightlife, stay on Route 2.
Who should skip this
Anyone who gets bored without phone signal. MTN and Vodacom drop out for stretches of the N17 and around the lakes. Download offline maps before you leave.
Quick Comparison: Which Route Fits Your Trip?
| Route | Best for | Total driving time | Fuel cost (return) | Entry fees (2 people) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cradle of Humankind | History lovers, families | 1.5 hours | R120 | R460 |
| Magaliesberg Meander | Adventure, beer drinkers | 4 hours | R200 | R1,090 |
| Vaal River Wine Run | Wine tasters, couples | 3 hours | R280 | R300 |
| Dinokeng Game Reserve | Wildlife photographers | 2 hours | R160 | R550 |
| Chrissiesmeer Lakes | Birders, solitude seekers | 5 hours | R700 | R0 (entry) |
For a single day trip, the Cradle of Humankind gives you the most history per kilometre. For a weekend, the Magaliesberg Meander has the best mix of activity and relaxation. Chrissiesmeer is the dark horse — quiet, cheap, and genuinely unlike anything else in Gauteng.
