South AfricaSouth AfricaDurban to Johannesburg shipping route.
673 km by rail, about 22 h 24 min in transit.
Rail Distance Between Cities: Durban and Johannesburg
Rail Freight Distance on the map, along the rail network.
DurbanRailJohannesburgRail freight transit time
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rail Freight Distance | 673 km (418 mi) |
| Straight line | 500 km |
| Transit time | 22 h 24 min |
| Assumption | 30 km/h average freight speed |
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About the Durban to Johannesburg shipping route by rail
The rail shipping route from Durban, South Africa to Johannesburg, South Africa runs 673 km on the freight network, heading north west. The straight line between the cities is 500 km, the track adds 34%.
At an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops and crew changes included, the transit time is about 22 h 24 min. Terminal handling at both ends comes on top.
Rail freight suits heavy, high volume cargo that is not urgent: containers, steel, chemicals, grain, cars. Per tonne it emits far less CO2 than trucking the same distance. Most shipments still need a truck for the first and last mile to the rail terminals in Durban and Johannesburg.
By road the same trip is 571 km and takes a truck about 5 h 24 min.
Of 2 rail routes from Durban in this directory, Johannesburg is the shortest.
FAQ
What is the rail distance from Durban to Johannesburg?
673 km by rail (500 km in a straight line).
What is the rail freight transit time from Durban to Johannesburg?
About 22 h 24 min at an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops included. Border and terminal times vary.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Johannesburg to Durban has its own page with the same distance and route.
More rail freight distance
- Durban to Cape Town1,877 km
- Cape Town to Johannesburg1,500 km
How we count: rail distance on the freight network, 30 km/h average including stops. Engine navo-distance-time 0.3.0. See all rail distance between cities or the Shipping Routes Directory.