Traffic in Durban

Durban's transportation landscape in 2024 is dominated by car usage, with a significant 87.5% of commuters relying on personal vehicles.

Despite the heavy reliance on cars, there is a notable percentage of the population that walks, reflecting a diverse range of commuting preferences.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 22.63 minutes of driving and a total commute time of 25.5 minutes over a distance of 17.15 km.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 10 minutes waiting and 15 minutes on the bus, covering a distance of 5 km.
  • Car - Car users experience a driving time of approximately 24.61 minutes, with minimal waiting time, covering 18.56 km.
  • Walking - Walking commuters spend around 23 minutes on foot, with a total commute distance of 8.4 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
88%
Walking
9%
Bus
2%
Bicycle
2%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 64 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
10.7 miles
Walking
2.4 mins
Waiting
0.2 mins
Driving Car
22.6 mins
Bus / Trolley
0.2 mins
Bicycle
0.1 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Total:
25.5 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
3.1 miles
Walking
10.0 mins
Waiting
10.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
15.0 mins
Total:
35.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
11.5 miles
Walking
0.1 mins
Driving Car
24.6 mins
Total:
24.7 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
5.2 miles
Walking
23.0 mins
Driving Car
11.7 mins
Total:
34.7 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourists flock to Durban's beaches.

Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic as local residents travel less frequently.

Commuter Pain Points

High congestion during peak hours leads to increased travel times for car commuters.

Limited public transport options make it challenging for non-car owners to commute efficiently.

Best Travel Times

Traveling outside of peak hours, particularly mid-morning or early afternoon, can significantly reduce commute times.

Weekends generally offer smoother traffic flow compared to weekdays.

Event Impacts

Major events such as the Durban July horse race and international conferences can cause significant traffic disruptions.

Planning ahead and using public transport during events can help avoid congestion.

Sustainability Efforts

Durban is investing in expanding its public transport network to reduce car dependency.

Initiatives to promote cycling and walking are being introduced to lower the city's carbon footprint.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are becoming increasingly popular, offering a flexible alternative to car ownership.

These services help reduce the number of vehicles on the road, potentially easing congestion.

Worldwide
South Africa

Traffic Rankings

Durban ranks 5th on the Traffic rankings in South Africa.
The Traffic Index for South Africa combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in South Africa, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025