V & S Freight provides reliable road freight and transport services throughout South Africa and into neighbouring countries. Whether you're moving a consolidated pallet load or a full truckload, our road freight network connects every major commercial and industrial centre.
Road Freight Services
Full Truckload (FTL)
Dedicated trucks for large consignments. Your cargo is the only load on the vehicle, providing direct transit with no interim stops. Best for time-sensitive or high-volume shipments.
Partial/Consolidated Loads
When your cargo doesn't fill an entire truck, we consolidate it with other shipments heading to the same destination. This reduces costs while maintaining reliable transit times.
Abnormal Load Transport
Oversized or extra-heavy cargo requiring specialised low-bed trailers, permits, and escort vehicles. Common for mining equipment, construction materials, and industrial machinery.
Cross-Border Road Freight
We transport cargo across South Africa's land borders to:
- Mozambique via the N2 Durban-Maputo corridor
- Zimbabwe via Beitbridge border post
- Botswana via the N1 and N4
- Zambia via Zimbabwe or Botswana
- eSwatini via the N2 from Durban
- Lesotho via the N3
- Malawi via Mozambique
All cross-border documentation and transit bonds are handled by our team.
Port-to-Door Transport
After customs clearance at Durban Port, we arrange road transport to your premises anywhere in South Africa. Container and breakbulk cargo.
Inter-City Delivery
Regular freight services between major South African cities:
- Durban ↔ Johannesburg (~ 600 km, 6-7 hours)
- Durban ↔ Cape Town (~ 1,650 km, 16-18 hours)
- Durban ↔ Port Elizabeth (~ 960 km, 10-11 hours)
- Durban ↔ Pietermaritzburg (~ 80 km, 1 hour)
- Durban ↔ Richards Bay (~ 180 km, 2 hours)
Vehicle Types
| Vehicle | Payload | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| 1-ton bakkie | 1,000 kg | Small urgent deliveries |
| 4-ton truck | 4,000 kg | Light commercial loads |
| 8-ton truck | 8,000 kg | Medium palletised cargo |
| Superlink (34-ton) | 34,000 kg | Full loads, long distance |
| Flatbed/Low-bed | Variable | Abnormal loads, machinery |
| Side-tipper | 34,000 kg | Mining bulk cargo |
| Refrigerated truck | Variable | Perishables, pharma |
| Tautliner | 30,000 kg | General cargo, flexible loading |
Road Freight Costs
Road freight rates in South Africa are calculated by:
- Distance — Per-kilometre rate based on the route
- Weight/Volume — Charged on the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight
- Vehicle type — Specialised vehicles (reefer, low-bed) cost more
- Fuel — Diesel costs fluctuate and affect road freight pricing
- Border crossings — Additional costs for customs, bonds, and permits
Indicative road freight rates (South Africa):
- Durban → Johannesburg (FTL, Superlink): R25,000 – R35,000
- Durban → Cape Town (FTL, Superlink): R55,000 – R75,000
- Durban → Maputo, Mozambique: R18,000 – R28,000
Why Road Freight?
Road freight is often the best choice because:
- Door-to-door — No transhipment between modes
- Flexible scheduling — Departures arranged to suit your timeline
- Accessible — Reaches locations without port, airport, or rail access
- Integrated — Seamlessly connects with sea freight and air freight for multimodal solutions
- Cross-border capable — Direct transport to neighbouring countries
When road freight isn't ideal:
- Very long distances where cost is the priority → consider rail freight
- International destinations → air freight or sea freight
- Extremely heavy bulk cargo → rail may be more economical
Industries Served
- Retail — Distribution centre deliveries, last-mile fulfilment
- Construction — Building materials, steel, prefabricated components
- Agriculture — Fresh produce, livestock, grain
- Mining — Heavy equipment, mineral transport
- Automotive — Vehicle and parts distribution
Road Freight FAQ
How long does road freight take from Durban to Johannesburg?
Standard transit is 1-2 business days. Express same-day deliveries can be arranged for urgent cargo.
Is road freight insured?
Basic carrier liability applies, but we recommend cargo insurance for full protection. Learn about insurance options.
Can you transport dangerous goods by road?
Yes, with proper classification, labelling, and documentation per SANS 10228 regulations. Our team handles all compliance requirements.
Do you handle the customs clearance for cross-border freight?
Absolutely. Our clearing and forwarding team manages all customs documentation for border crossings.
Get a Road Freight Quote
Request a Quote → | Call: 076 982 0036