South Africa
Photo of AI-Livingstone
AI-Livingstone
31 May 2026Updated last time
  • Save

Durban To Cape Town Road Trip Itinerary

Durban to Cape Town Road Trip Overview

This road trip from Durban to Cape Town is a long but rewarding journey through some of South Africa’s most scenic and diverse landscapes. Start in Durban, where warm beaches, the Golden Mile, and lively Indian Ocean energy set the tone for an exciting adventure. Continue south to Port Shepstone for a relaxed coastal stop, then on to East London, a laid-back city with beautiful beaches and a strong seaside charm. From there, Port Elizabeth offers a friendly atmosphere, wildlife access, and a great gateway into the famous Garden Route.

As you travel further, Knysna brings lush forests, a tranquil lagoon, and dramatic coastal views, while Mossel Bay adds history, ocean panoramas, and plenty of outdoor activities. Cape Agulhas is a memorable highlight, marking the southernmost point of Africa and offering a powerful sense of place where the oceans meet. In Hermanus, you can enjoy world-class whale watching and scenic cliffside walks. Finally, arrive in Cape Town, where Table Mountain, vibrant neighborhoods, beaches, museums, and mountain views create a spectacular ending to the trip.

Overall, this itinerary combines coastal drives, nature, culture, and adventure, making it ideal for travelers who want a rich and memorable South African road trip.

Recommended Activities

  • Trip Point Pin1

    Durban

    Durban is renowned for its bustling beachfront, called the Golden Mile, where the warm Indian Ocean and beautiful beachfront promenade attract tourists seeking sun, sea, and surf. It is also known for its diverse culture, vibrant markets and a wide array of attractions such as uShaka Marine World and the Durban Botanic Gardens.
    Open Google Maps Button
  • Trip Point Pin2

    Port Shepstone

    Port Shepstone is set on the mouth of the Mzimkulu River and is the administrative, commercial, and educational hub of the South Coast. It offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities, beautiful coastal scenery, and delightful subtropical climate which make it an appealing stop for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
    Open Google Maps Button
  • Trip Point Pin3

    East London

    East London, affectionately called Buffalo City, is South Africa's only river port city and is framed by the Indian Ocean and the Buffalo River. It offers a laid-back coastal charm, a rich cultural history, remarkable beaches like Nahoon and Cove Rock, and attractions such as the East London Museum, home to the coelacanth, a rare fish once thought to be extinct.
    Open Google Maps Button
  • Trip Point Pin4

    Port Elizabeth

    Port Elizabeth, known as the 'Friendly City,' offers a wonderful mix of ecotourism adventures, rich cultural experiences, and abundant wildlife. It has beautiful beaches, historical landmarks such as the Donkin Reserve, and is a gateway to the scenic Garden Route and the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park.
    Open Google Maps Button
  • Trip Point Pin5

    Knysna

    Knysna is set along the stunning Garden Route and is famous for its lush forests, azure blue lagoons, and an array of outdoor activities including sailing, kayaking, and fishing. It's also known for the annual Knysna Oyster Festival and the remarkable Knysna Heads, two dramatic sea cliffs guarding the entrance to the lagoon.
    Open Google Maps Button
  • Trip Point Pin6

    Mossel Bay

    Mossel Bay is renowned for its moderate climate, golden beaches, and history as a stopover point for the early European explorers. Visitors are drawn to attractions like the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, shark cage diving, and the start of the iconic St. Blaize hiking trail offering panoramic ocean views.
    Open Google Maps Button
  • Trip Point Pin7

    Cape Agulhas

    Cape Agulhas is the southernmost point of Africa and a pivotal navigational landmark. It's a place of rugged natural beauty where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, known for its iconic lighthouse and a hotspot for fishing, bird watching, and hiking along its scenic coastline.
    Open Google Maps Button
  • Trip Point Pin8

    Hermanus

    Hermanus is acclaimed as one of the best land-based whale watching destinations in the world. From June to December, visitors can witness Southern Right Whales from the shoreline. The town also offers charming markets, art galleries, and has a rich floral biodiversity.
    Open Google Maps Button
  • Trip Point Pin9

    Cape Town

    Cape Town is South Africa's most iconic city, famous for its breathtaking scenery, Table Mountain, Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, rich history, cultural diversity, and world-class restaurants and vineyards. The city is a cosmopolitan blend of natural beauty and urban life.
    Open Google Maps Button

Restaurants

  • Restaurant Icon

    Cargo Hold Restaurant

    Cargo Hold Restaurant

    Nestled in the stern of the phantom ship at uShaka Marine World, diners enjoy a meal surrounded by a magnificent aquarium.
    Picture for Cargo Hold Restaurant
  • Restaurant Icon

    The Big Pineapple

    The Big Pineapple

    This giant pineapple structure houses a restaurant that offers a unique dining experience with tropical farm surroundings.
    Picture for The Big Pineapple
  • Restaurant Icon

    34 South

    34 South

    Not just a restaurant, this Knysna hotspot is famous for its sushi bar, oyster tanks, and deli showcasing local produce.
    Picture for 34 South
  • Restaurant Icon

    Bramon Wine Estate

    Bramon Wine Estate

    A restaurant set in the middle of a vineyard, famous for tapas and wine tasting with stunning views over the Plettenberg Bay area.
    Picture for Bramon Wine Estate
  • Restaurant Icon

    Two Oceans Restaurant

    Two Oceans Restaurant

    Perched above the ocean at Cape Point, it offers panoramic views where you might spot some whales or dolphins while dining.
    Picture for Two Oceans Restaurant
  • Restaurant Icon

    Truth Coffee

    Truth Coffee

    A steampunk-inspired coffee shop in Cape Town, praised internationally for its unique interior and exceptional coffee.
    Picture for Truth Coffee
  • Restaurant Icon

    Die Strandloper

    Die Strandloper

    An open-air, beachfront restaurant near Langebaan where seafood is cooked on open fires and served in a relaxed picnic style.
    Picture for Die Strandloper
  • Restaurant Icon

    The Test Kitchen

    The Test Kitchen

    An award-winning restaurant in Cape Town offering an innovative dining experience with its theatre of food, taste, and culinary exploration.
    Picture for The Test Kitchen

Hotels

  • Hotel Icon

    The Oyster Box

    The Oyster Box

    An iconic hotel in Durban known for its luxurious rooms and the famous lighthouse; offering unique colonial charm with modern amenities.
    Picture for The Oyster Box
  • Hotel Icon

    Tsala Treetop Lodge

    Tsala Treetop Lodge

    Set amidst the trees of an ancient indigenous forest, Tsala provides a unique treetop accommodation experience near Plettenberg Bay.
    Picture for Tsala Treetop Lodge
  • Hotel Icon

    Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa

    Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa

    A boutique hotel in Knysna that was once a power station, now transformed into a quirky hotel with original machinery and architecture.
    Picture for Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa
  • Hotel Icon

    The Grand Daddy Hotel

    The Grand Daddy Hotel

    Located in the heart of Cape Town, this hotel features a collection of designer Airstream trailers on its rooftop, complete with a cinema.
    Picture for The Grand Daddy Hotel
  • Hotel Icon

    Santos Express Train Lodge

    Santos Express Train Lodge

    A unique stay in a real train parked on the Santos beach in Mossel Bay with all cabins facing the sea and featuring authentic train décor.
    Picture for Santos Express Train Lodge
  • Hotel Icon

    Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve

    Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve

    Set in the Cederberg Mountains, it offers unique cave suites and hut accommodation that blend into the wilderness for an immersive nature experience.
    Picture for Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve

Local Events & Happenings

  • Event Icon

    James Blunt: The Who We Used To Be Tour

    James Blunt: The Who We Used To Be Tour

    The event will take place at Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town.
    Map IconGrand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town (332.28 mi)
    Calendar Icon12 Sep 2024
    Website IconVisit Website
    Picture for James Blunt: The Who We Used To Be Tour
  • Event Icon

    Atlantic Starr Live

    Atlantic Starr Live

    The event will take place at Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town.
    Map IconGrand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town (332.28 mi)
    Calendar Icon28 Sep 2024
    Website IconVisit Website
    Picture for Atlantic Starr Live
  • Event Icon

    The Magic of Rob Lake

    The Magic of Rob Lake

    The event will take place at Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town.
    Map IconGrand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town (332.28 mi)
    Calendar Icon5 Oct 2024
    Website IconVisit Website
    Picture for The Magic of Rob Lake
  • Event Icon

    Jim Jefferies: Give ‘Em What They Want Tour

    Jim Jefferies: Give ‘Em What They Want Tour

    The event will take place at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
    Map IconGrand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town (332.28 mi)
    Calendar Icon21 Nov 2024
    Website IconVisit Website
    Picture for Jim Jefferies: Give ‘Em What They Want Tour
  • Event Icon

    Kool & The Gang - special guest Al Mckay's Earth,Wind &Fire Experience

    Kool & The Gang - special guest Al Mckay's Earth,Wind &Fire Experience

    The event will take place at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
    Map IconGrand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town (332.28 mi)
    Calendar Icon28 Nov 2024
    Website IconVisit Website
    Picture for Kool & The Gang - special guest Al Mckay's Earth,Wind &Fire Experience
  • Event Icon

    Cigarettes After Sex

    Cigarettes After Sex

    The event will take place at Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town.
    Map IconGrand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town (332.28 mi)
    Calendar Icon5 Mar 2025
    Website IconVisit Website
    Picture for Cigarettes After Sex
  • Event Icon

    Calabash South Africa 2025 | Robbie Williams

    Calabash South Africa 2025 | Robbie Williams

    The event will take place at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
    Map IconDHL Stadium in Cape Town (340.01 mi)
    Calendar Icon22 Jan 2025
    Website IconVisit Website
    Picture for Calabash South Africa 2025 | Robbie Williams

Travel Gems from Reddit

  • Reddit Icon

    Be careful around Margate, Kokstad to East London. ... You absolutely must make a stop in Kenton on Sea. Between East London and Port Elizabeth. ... I would highly recommend t...

    Planning a two-week coastal road trip from Durban to Cape Town - please recommend us your hidden gems

    Be careful around Margate, Kokstad to East London. ... You absolutely must make a stop in Kenton on Sea. Between East London and Port Elizabeth. ... I would highly recommend t...

    /r/southafrica
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    Heres what Im currently thinking: Joburg to Durban 6 hours 1 night Durban to Port St Johns 5 hours 1 night Port St Johns to East London 4.5 hours 1 night East London via Port ...

    Coastal/scenic drive from Johannesburg, to Durban, to Cape Town, are we mad?

    Heres what Im currently thinking: Joburg to Durban 6 hours 1 night Durban to Port St Johns 5 hours 1 night Port St Johns to East London 4.5 hours 1 night East London via Port ...

    /r/Durban
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    The N2 goes all the way from Cape Town to Durban, its an amazing road with lots to offer on the Garden Route stretch. Ive stayed in George, Wilderness and Knysna, seeing you a...

    Road trip between Cape Town and Durban - please help with route

    The N2 goes all the way from Cape Town to Durban, its an amazing road with lots to offer on the Garden Route stretch. Ive stayed in George, Wilderness and Knysna, seeing you a...

    /r/askSouthAfrica
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    Theres a lot of conflicting info about the routes. N2 seems the most scenic and is apparently fine if youre not speeding and driving in the day only. N1 is apparently a better...

    Reddit - The heart of the internet

    Theres a lot of conflicting info about the routes. N2 seems the most scenic and is apparently fine if youre not speeding and driving in the day only. N1 is apparently a better...

    /r/askSouthAfrica
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    I am going to be doing a cross country road trip from Cape Town to Durban in December. I will be traveling from the US with my girlfriend who is originally from Durban. I have...

    Doing a cross country road trip across South Africa- seeking itinerary advice

    I am going to be doing a cross country road trip from Cape Town to Durban in December. I will be traveling from the US with my girlfriend who is originally from Durban. I have...

    /r/askSouthAfrica
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    Arriving day 1 in the early morning, we did not want to spend any time in cape town itself so we will take chapmans peak drive to the south to boulders beach and cape of good ...

    Recommendations and insiders for traveling along the garden route for 11 days?

    Arriving day 1 in the early morning, we did not want to spend any time in cape town itself so we will take chapmans peak drive to the south to boulders beach and cape of good ...

    /r/askSouthAfrica
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    Knysna , Port Alfred are two good overnight stops- that route will split the distance to Durban into manageable driving distances

    Driving from Cape Town to Durban

    Knysna , Port Alfred are two good overnight stops- that route will split the distance to Durban into manageable driving distances

    /r/DownSouth
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    6 Day Garden Route Itinerary Recommendations Hello everyone! ... Day 1: Sunday, February 4th - Cape Town to Hermanus. Departure: Leave Cape Town late afternoon. Drive: Cape To...

    6 Day Garden Route Itinerary Recommendations

    6 Day Garden Route Itinerary Recommendations Hello everyone! ... Day 1: Sunday, February 4th - Cape Town to Hermanus. Departure: Leave Cape Town late afternoon. Drive: Cape To...

    /r/capetown
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    Plettenberg Bay was by far our favourite stop on the Garden Route. Knysna was ok. Mossel Bay was meh. ... Start your trip by going up to Franschhoek for one night, visit winer...

    garden route advice

    Plettenberg Bay was by far our favourite stop on the Garden Route. Knysna was ok. Mossel Bay was meh. ... Start your trip by going up to Franschhoek for one night, visit winer...

    /r/southafrica
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    We cannot provide a description for this page right now

    South Africa Roadtrip Durban to Cape Town - Best route?

    We cannot provide a description for this page right now

    /r/travel
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    I'd like to add on this OP could do all that but along the coast Clarens Dr, Pringle Bay, Hermanus - keeping to the coast- then onward to Mossel Bay and through Garden Ro...

    3-4 day road trip ideas or flight trips ideas from Cape Town?

    I'd like to add on this OP could do all that but along the coast Clarens Dr, Pringle Bay, Hermanus - keeping to the coast- then onward to Mossel Bay and through Garden Ro...

    /r/capetown
    View on RedditView on Reddit
  • Reddit Icon

    Did that route on the way back and it was extremely exhausting and really dangerous with trucks, was up went east London and knysna and must say that route was brilliant and n...

    Driving from Cape Town to Durban

    Did that route on the way back and it was extremely exhausting and really dangerous with trucks, was up went east London and knysna and must say that route was brilliant and n...

    /r/Durban
    View on RedditView on Reddit