South AfricaSouth AfricaJohannesburg to Durban shipping route.
673 km by rail, about 22 h 24 min in transit.
Rail Distance Between Cities: Johannesburg and Durban
Rail Freight Distance on the map, along the rail network.
JohannesburgRailDurbanRail 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 Johannesburg to Durban shipping route by rail
The rail shipping route from Johannesburg, South Africa to Durban, South Africa runs 673 km on the freight network, heading south east. 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 Johannesburg and Durban.
By road the same trip is 571 km and takes a truck about 5 h 24 min.
Of 2 rail routes from Johannesburg in this directory, Durban is the shortest.
FAQ
What is the rail distance from Johannesburg to Durban?
673 km by rail (500 km in a straight line).
What is the rail freight transit time from Johannesburg to Durban?
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 Durban to Johannesburg has its own page with the same distance and route.
More rail freight distance
- Johannesburg to Cape Town1,500 km
- Cape Town to Durban1,877 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.