There is something wonderfully liberating about a road trip. No airport queues, rigid itineraries or hurried transfers.
Just a full tank, good company and the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye.
With fuel prices making long-distance driving more expensive, a little planning can make self-drive travel surprisingly affordable.
Share fuel costs with friends or family, choose self-catering accommodation and seek out experiences that are free or inexpensive. The reward is a holiday that feels entirely your own.
Road trips can offer both comfort and value, particularly when costs are shared. You can pack what you like, bring your own snacks, travel in privacy and change your plans on a whim.
Perhaps best of all, the journey itself becomes part of the holiday.
If you are looking for affordable local road trips in South Africa, these routes are worth putting on the map.
Midlands Meander and the Drakensberg
From Durban or Pietermaritzburg, follow the N3 into the rolling green hills of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands before continuing towards the Drakensberg.
Begin with Howick Falls and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site before exploring the Midlands Meander’s farms, galleries, craft studios and country eateries.
Look out for farm stalls, artisanal cheese and local breweries before heading into the mountains.
For an affordable escape, consider self-catering cottages or campsites and spend your days hiking in the Drakensberg rather than on expensive organised excursions.
Route 62
Running through the Western Cape’s inland valleys, Route 62 is made for slow travel. From Worcester and Robertson through Barrydale and Calitzdorp, the route winds between dramatic mountains, vineyards and small Karoo towns.
The journey is as much about the stops as the destination. Take in mountain passes, browse farm stalls and explore historic villages.
In Montagu, you can soak in mineral springs, while Calitzdorp is known for its port-style wines.
Choose guesthouses, backpackers or farm cottages for a more affordable stay and consider travelling in the shoulder seasons, when accommodation can be easier on the pocket.
Cradle of Humankind and Magaliesburg
For Gauteng residents, this is an easy escape without committing to a lengthy journey.
The Cradle of Humankind combines extraordinary history with sweeping landscapes. Explore Maropeng’s exhibitions and the area’s celebrated fossil sites before heading towards Magaliesburg for mountain scenery and country dining.
There are plenty of ways to keep the weekend affordable: spend time outdoors, explore scenic country roads and choose a picnic or casual lunch instead of an elaborate meal.
St Lucia and Cape Vidal
For a road trip that combines wildlife and the coast, head north along KwaZulu-Natal’s Elephant Coast.
The drive from St Lucia towards Cape Vidal takes you through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, where forests, wetlands, beaches and wildlife converge.
Keep your eyes open for elephants, rhino, buffalo and antelope along the way.
Once at Cape Vidal, spend the day on the beach, snorkelling or exploring the coastline. Between June and November, the coast is also a spectacular place to look out for migrating humpback whales.
West Coast Explorer
North of Cape Town, the R27 opens onto a quieter side of the Western Cape, with wide coastal landscapes, fishing villages and small-town charm.
Visit West Coast National Park for its lagoon and birdlife, stop in Darling or wander through Paternoster’s whitewashed streets.
Khwa ttu offers an opportunity to learn more about San heritage, while roadside padstalle provide affordable opportunities to sample local flavours.
Come in spring for the famous wildflower season, when the normally understated landscape bursts into colour.
Cullinan
If you want a road trip without spending an entire weekend on the road, make your way to Cullinan, roughly an hour and a half from Johannesburg.
The historic mining town is famous for the Cullinan Diamond and is best explored slowly. Walk beneath the old jacaranda-lined streets, browse its galleries and heritage buildings or book a mine tour.
For a low-cost day out, simply exploring the town, enjoying lunch and taking in its Victorian character can be enough.
The beauty of a South African road trip is that you do not necessarily have to travel far to feel somewhere else.
Sometimes, all it takes is a full tank, a free afternoon and the willingness to take the scenic route.
zamandosi.cele@nationalmg.co.za