Route 62 is the inland road between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, running on through the Langkloof to Port Elizabeth, and between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth it is the shorter, scenic alternative to the N2. Drivers who collect a hire car at Cape Town Airport reach Montagu in 181 km and Oudtshoorn in 417 km, and can either drive back to CPT or end the trip one way at George Airport, 63 km beyond Oudtshoorn.
Where does Route 62 start and which towns does it pass?
Route 62 is a tourist route that links Cape Town to Oudtshoorn and on to Port Elizabeth. Its member towns include Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Ceres, Worcester, Robertson, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn, De Rust and Prince Albert, with the Langkloof towns and Jeffrey's Bay beyond. A single drive does not pass them all: the fastest way from CPT to Oudtshoorn reaches the R62 by the N1 and the R60, and passes farming towns such as Calitzdorp and Ladismith, and fruit and wine towns such as Barrydale, Montagu and Robertson.
How far is it from Cape Town Airport?
The fastest way from CPT to Oudtshoorn leaves on the N1 for about 82 km, takes the R60 for about 65 km, and follows the R62 for about 244 km. Montagu, on that drive, is 181 km from CPT, about 2 h 25 without traffic or stops.
| Place | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Montagu | 181 km | about 2 h 25 |
| Barrydale | 242 km | about 3 h 05 |
| Calitzdorp | 367 km | about 4 h 45 |
| Oudtshoorn | 417 km | about 5 h 20 |
| George Airport, from Oudtshoorn | 63 km | about 55 min |
What are the speed limits along the way?
Outside towns the general limit is 100 km/h, rising to 120 km/h on freeway sections of the N1, and it is 60 km/h in the towns along the route unless signs say otherwise. These are the speed limits on South African roads everywhere in the country, and South Africa drives on the left.
Can I drive Route 62 one way and drop the car at George?
Yes. George Airport is one of the two one-way drop-offs for cars collected at CPT, so a trip can go out on Route 62 to Oudtshoorn and finish with a one-way drop at George Airport, 63 km on, about 55 minutes. The N2 along the coast is the direct way to the Garden Route to George, 408 km from CPT against 480 km by Route 62.
Are all the roads on Route 62 paved?
Rental cars may travel only on paved public roads. Check that a side road is paved before turning off it, and keep to the paved road if you are not sure.
What does the hire cover on a long inland drive?
The cover on a hire car does not include damage to the wheels, the undercarriage, the windscreen or the interior, however long the drive, and any higher cover is described on the car you choose. After an incident, call the rental agent on the voucher number at once and get a police report unless the agent agrees otherwise.
What will the drive cost besides the rental?
Fuel, tolls, parking and fines are the driver's cost. The N1 out of Cape Town has SANRAL's toll plaza at the Huguenot Tunnel, R54.50 for a light vehicle from 1 March 2026. The car goes back with the fuel it had at pick-up; a lower level is charged at the rental company's rates. Cash payments to the rental company are accepted only in rand.
How far can I drive on the car's allowance?
Check the kilometre allowance shown on your selected car for your dates. Out to Oudtshoorn and back to CPT is 833 km by the direct route alone; CPT to Oudtshoorn and on to George Airport is about 480 km. Side trips and driving in the towns come out of the same allowance, and beyond the allowance the car's page shows a rate per extra kilometre; some cars offer Unlimited mileage as an extra.