# Roads in South Africa

South Africa has a highly developed road network, considered one of the finest in Africa. According to official records, the total road network spans approximately 535,000 kilometers, comprising 168,000 kilometers of urban roads and 366,872 kilometers of other roads. The network includes a significant number of high-capacity roads, with 2,160 kilometers of motorway and 940 kilometers of four-lane roads. Additionally, there are 62,794 kilometers of single-carriageway paved roads and 300,978 kilometers of gravel roads. However, the Transport Department reports a more extensive network of 750,000 kilometers, with 158,124 kilometers of paved roads. This discrepancy may be due to differences in classification or data sources.

## Background
### Road management

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) is the national road authority responsible for managing South Africa's national road network. Established in 1998, SANRAL oversees a total of 21,403 kilometers of road, with 84% being toll-free and 16% being toll roads. The toll roads are financed through bond issuances, while the toll-free roads are funded by the South African government. SANRAL aims to expand the national road network to 35,000 kilometers, with ongoing efforts to upgrade and develop the country's road infrastructure.

## Technical classification
### National roads

South Africa has an extensive network of 22,197 kilometers of national roads, providing connectivity to all regions of the country. Given the relatively low traffic volume on long-distance routes, motorways are primarily confined to metropolitan areas. The national roads are generally single-lane, with some sections featuring 2+1 lanes or wider configurations such as 2x2 lanes. Overall, the national roads are in fair to good condition, ensuring connectivity between all major cities in South Africa.

### Provincial roads

In South Africa, provincial roads serve as secondary roads, supplementing the national road network. These roads are designated with the prefix "R", ranging from R21 to R82. While provincial governments manage some of these roads, others are maintained by SANRAL, the national road agency. In urban areas, municipalities often oversee sections of provincial roads. The condition and quality of provincial roads vary, encompassing a range of surfaces from gravel to freeway standards, reflecting the diverse needs and priorities of different regions.

### Regional routes

In South Africa, regional routes constitute the third level of roads, following national and provincial roads. These routes are identified by a 3-digit R-number. Generally, provincial authorities manage most regional routes, although SANRAL, the national road agency, oversees some of them. This distribution of management responsibilities reflects the shared roles and responsibilities between national and provincial authorities in maintaining South Africa's road network.

### Motorways

South Africa does not have a comprehensive national motorway network, primarily due to low traffic volumes outside urban areas. The country's 2,160 kilometers of motorway are mainly concentrated in three major metropolitan regions: Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Johannesburg boasts an extensive motorway network, earning it the nickname "Los Angeles of Africa," with some routes featuring up to six lanes in each direction and large interchanges. This network extends throughout Gauteng province and beyond, forming the largest regional highway network in Africa. In contrast, Cape Town's urban highway network is more limited, while Durban has a smaller regional motorway network. Elsewhere, short stretches of motorway exist, such as in East London and Port Elizabeth. Some bypasses, like those in Bloemfontein, Kroonstad, and Polokwane, have been developed as freeways. Motorways in South Africa can fall under various road number classes, including national roads, provincial roads, regional routes, and metro roads. Notably, many motorways around Johannesburg are toll roads, operating under a free-flow toll system.