Hamba kahle means "go well". Tell us your trip and get a list of what to look out for, from other drivers and road know-how your maps app won't give you.

Route guide

St Lucia to Durban

Route N2 north via Ballito and Empangeni, then the R618 from MtubatubaAbout 250 kmDrive 2½–3 hours

The N2 North Coast toll road, then sugar-cane country and a short run to the estuary.

This guide was written for Durban to St Lucia. The same roads apply on your trip, but read exits, merges and lane tips the other way round.

From drivers, last 3 days

Loading driver reports…

Before you leave

  • Have a card or cash for the North Coast toll plazas, including oThongathi, Mvoti and Mtunzini.
  • On holiday weekends, leave Durban early; traffic towards Ballito backs up.
  • Arrive in daylight. Hippos walk the streets of St Lucia at night, so drive slowly after dark.
  • Fill up in Empangeni or Mtubatuba.

St Lucia to Empangeni

Hippos after darkSafetyRoad know-how

Hippos graze in St Lucia town at night. Drive slowly, and don't get out to look.

Turn off at MtubatubaLane adviceRoad know-how

Leave the N2 at Mtubatuba and take the R618 east to St Lucia, about 25 km.

Pedestrians and livestockHazardRoad know-how

Further north, people and animals use the road verges. Take extra care at dusk.

Empangeni to KwaDukuza

Cane and timber trucksHazardRoad know-how

Heavy trucks join from farm roads and slow down on hills. Watch for mud on the road in the harvest season.

Mtunzini Toll PlazaTollRoad know-how

Mainline plaza near Mtunzini.

KwaDukuza to Durban

Mvoti Toll PlazaTollRoad know-how

Mainline plaza near KwaDukuza (Stanger).

oThongathi Toll PlazaTollRoad know-how

Mainline plaza between King Shaka Airport and Ballito.

Umhlanga and Gateway trafficHazardRoad know-how

The N2 near Umhlanga and Mount Edgecombe is busy at peak times.

Spotted a hazard? One tap to report

Passengers only, or once you've stopped. Never while driving.

A tap posts the hazard and road. To add the lane, how bad it is or a tip, use "Add a detailed report" further down.

Your location is only used when you tap a button that asks for it. Reports show it rounded to about 100 m, never your exact spot. You can always type the road instead.

Reports on the map

Reports posted with a location show here. Tap a pin for details. No pins doesn't mean no hazards.
Add a detailed report
What's there
Best lane
How bad
How your drive went
Official sources

Check before you go

Latest from the road

Send feedback

Something wrong in a route guide, a bug, or an idea? Tell us. Anyone can send this, no sign-in needed.

What's it about?

Add it to your home screen

Hamba Kahle Roads is a website, so there's nothing to download from an app store. Add it to your home screen and it opens full-screen like an app.

Flag this report

Flags are private. We hide the report for you straight away, and from everyone once a few drivers flag it.

What's wrong with it?

Sign in to post

We'll email you a sign-in link and a code. No password needed. By signing in you agree to our terms and privacy notice.