POLOKWANE – Scores of motorists are preparing for the long drive between Pretoria and Polokwane and other parts of Limpopo this festive season, with thousands expected to make use of the N1.

High traffic volumes are anticipated on the stretch between Gauteng and Musina via Polokwane, as well as on the R71 between Polokwane and Tzaneen.

The six major toll gates along this route include Nyl, Kranskop, Carousel and Pumulani when travelling south, and Baobab and Capricorn when heading north.

A round trip from Polokwane to Pretoria will cost motorists R452, while a round trip between Pretoria and Musina amounts to R696.

To help travellers prepare, Bakwena Platinum, which manages the N1N4 route, has confirmed several system upgrades aimed at making festive travel smoother and more secure.

Tap-and-go payments now fully rolled out

From September 2025, Bakwena replaced the old magstripe swipe system with a secure online EMV tap-and-go payment system across all N1N4 toll plazas.

This means:

• Debit and credit cards (must be tap-enabled)

• Smartphones and wearables (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Wallet)

• Cash and

• SANRAL tags are now accepted.

EMV technology uses a microprocessor chip rather than a magnetic stripe, significantly reducing fraud and ensuring the card stays in the driver’s possession during payment.

Only fleet/garage/petrol cards may still use the swipe method.

SANRAL tag users urged to top up before travelling

To avoid delays at plazas, users should ensure their tags have sufficient balance.

Top-up facilities are available at:

• N1 Total Panorama Petroport

• Total Waverley, Kilnerpark

• Bakwena Hatfield Tag Office

• N4 Total Magalies Petroport

• N4 Shell Ultra City (East)

• N4 Shell Platinum (Rustenburg)

• Swartruggens (20 Andries Pretorius Street)

• All SANRAL Centres, EFT and the SANRAL App

Avoid these peak travel times

Motorists are advised to plan ahead to avoid the heaviest congestion expected during festive departures and returns.

December 2025 peak congestion:

• December 12, 15, 19, 24 and 31: 12:00 – 21:00

• December 13 and 20: 06:00 – 15:00

January 2026 return traffic:

• January 4 and 11: 12:00 – 21:00

Authorities are urging motorists to travel early, keep emergency numbers on hand, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy ahead of the long weekend and holiday rush.