Trip times on online trip planner

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Zoltan Szecsei

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Apr 6, 2026, 5:16:22 AMApr 6
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Hi,
Happy Easter :-)

The trip times given by the online trip planner seem a bit squonk: 30
minutes from Sani SA border post to Lesotho border post.

Is there anywhere/way to get more accurate trip leg-timings (for
especially off-road tracks and lesser driven unsurfaced roads)?

Thanks in advance,
Zoltan

--

=============================================
Zoltan Szecsei GPrGISc 0031
Director, Geograph (Pty) Ltd.
GIS and Photogrammetric Services

Cape Town, South Africa.

Mobile: +27-83-6004028 (Signal, not WhatsApp)
+36-20-3594428

www.geograph.co.za
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Bobby Stodel

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Apr 6, 2026, 5:51:20 AMApr 6
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Zoltan

No mapping system is more accurate than T4A for timings on off road tracks and lesser driven gravel roads because they use the actual times taken by their members. In the case of SA Sani border post to Lesotho Sani border post the will have the real timings of hundreds of people. Their timing of 30 minutes is almost certainly accurate because the SA border post is at the bottom of Sani Pass and the Lesotho border post is at the top. It will certainly take you 30 minutes to climb the pass.

Bobby Stodel

> On 6 Apr 2026, at 10:16, Zoltan Szecsei <zol...@geograph.co.za> wrote:
>
> Hi,
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baynes

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Apr 6, 2026, 6:25:24 AMApr 6
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Good day all

We have been up the Sani pass a few times, and it will take you at least an hour and 15min to two hours to cover the 9km gravel road from the SA boarder post to the Lesotho boarder post depending on the time taken to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Have a great day 

Bayne




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Zoltan

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Apr 6, 2026, 6:45:50 AMApr 6
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Hi Bayne,
Thanks for this.
It aligns with what internet searches say, but the origins of the search results were not known and did not align with T4A.
Kind regards
Zoltan
Geograph email from mobile

Zoltan

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Apr 6, 2026, 6:51:18 AMApr 6
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Hi Bobby
Yes, I agree with you on the way T4A is supposed to be getting their route timings, but 30 minutes for Sani upwards seemed a bit optimistic, hence my query.
Hopefully T4A will also comment, as if this is just a simple error then fine,  but if not then it does throw doubt for reliable trip planning.

Please could others who have driven this route let us know their timing.

Regards
Zoltan


On 06 April 2026 11:51:12 SAST, Bobby Stodel <rob...@stodel.com> wrote:
Zoltan

No mapping system is more accurate than T4A for timings on off road tracks and lesser driven gravel roads because they use the actual times taken by their members. In the case of SA Sani border post to Lesotho Sani border post the will have the real timings of hundreds of people. Their timing of 30 minutes is almost certainly accurate because the SA border post is at the bottom of Sani Pass and the Lesotho border post is at the top. It will certainly take you 30 minutes to climb the pass. 

Bobby Stodel

On 6 Apr 2026, at 10:16, Zoltan Szecsei <zol...@geograph.co.za> wrote:

Hi,
Happy Easter :-)

The trip times given by the online trip planner seem a bit squonk: 30 minutes from Sani SA border post to Lesotho border post.

Is there anywhere/way to get more accurate trip leg-timings (for especially off-road tracks and lesser driven unsurfaced roads)?

Thanks in advance,
Zoltan

--
Zoltan Szecsei GPrGISc 0031
Director, Geograph (Pty) Ltd.
GIS and Photogrammetric Services

Cape Town, South Africa.

Mobile: +27-83-6004028 (Signal, not WhatsApp)
       +36-20-3594428

www.geograph.co.za
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Brett Bolton

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Apr 6, 2026, 7:39:08 AMApr 6
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Hi Zoltan,

I've driven the pass many times, cycled up and down and also run it before. 

Allow anywhere from 1h15 - 2 hours easily for driving up the pass. This is an ideal timing with a few stops for pics and taking it all in, as well as the weather being kind.

Kind Regards,

Brett

Mike Slater

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Apr 6, 2026, 11:40:50 AMApr 6
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Greetings.

I have used T4A for trip planning for well over 10 years, and online searches, Google groups, Facebook etc for the same purpose for much longer.

I take neither as even vaguely representing gospel or even the last word.

Certainly, T4A trip times have sometimes been way off.  Swinging to both sides of scale.  Sometimes underestimating and sometimes overstating the expected time.

On the other hand, relying on the info (even very recent) from online trip reports and from this group - as well from buddies and acquaintances (just back from the same routes I was busy with) has also sometimes led to peeved exclamations such as "they must have been smoking their braai spice!"

So why the varying (and supposedly inaccurate) trip times?

Whether from T4A or from other trusted and (usually) reliable sources, IMHO the main reason is the same: 

Gravel or sand road / track / trail / goat path / river bed etc conditions are constantly changing.  Perhaps the surface has improved due to maintenance, but far more likely quickly becoming worse due neglect, weather conditions (rain, snow etc) or simply because a convoy of heavy vehicles has recently churned it up.

For example, a passable route today requiring say 3 hours in the saddle, could easily become a flooded, muddy 12 hour nightmare the following day, due to, for example, heavy overnight rain.

So, my take is this.  Whether using T4A or trip reports (no matter how reliable the source, or recent the trip), unforeseen and not yet reported (or shared) variable can easily make  the trip or route times look ridiculous.  

Sometimes.



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Best wishes
 
Mike Slater



Danie Kotze

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Apr 6, 2026, 3:04:49 PMApr 6
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Evening, 

And adding to this is that on T4Awe are looking at averages. Each individual's travelling style will determine how much up or down you will be from the average. Then also the times are driving times, excluding all stops along the way which differs vastly from one person to the next. 

At best it is a rough guideline of what to expect on a particular section of road and to also guide you to determine if a stretch of road might be possible in a day or if you must consider breaking it up over more than one day. 

The way fuel prices are going it is just becoming a bigger previledge every time one is able to do it. 

Cheers. 

From: tracks...@googlegroups.com <tracks...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mike Slater <mozg...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 6, 2026 5:40:45 PM
To: tracks...@googlegroups.com <tracks...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [T4A] Trip times on online trip planner
 
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Mike Slater

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Apr 6, 2026, 11:15:36 PMApr 6
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Very good points, thanks Daniel.

Just try not use the "f" word!

There are some sensitive viewers on this group...😗


On Monday, 6 April 2026, Danie Kotze <danie...@gmail.com> wrote:
Evening, 

And adding to this is that on T4Awe are looking at averages. Each individual's travelling style will determine how much up or down you will be from the average. Then also the times are driving times, excluding all stops along the way which differs vastly from one person to the next. 

At best it is a rough guideline of what to expect on a particular section of road and to also guide you to determine if a stretch of road might be possible in a day or if you must consider breaking it up over more than one day. 

The way fuel prices are going it is just becoming a bigger previledge every time one is able to do it. 

Cheers. 


Sent: Monday, April 6, 2026 5:40:45 PM

If that does NOT work, then please try mailto:moderator@tracks4africa.co.za

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Mike Slater

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Apr 6, 2026, 11:26:05 PMApr 6
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Apologies, Danie.

*lippen auto-correct...


On Tuesday, 7 April 2026, Mike Slater <mozg...@gmail.com> wrote:
Very good points, thanks Daniel.

Just try not use the "f" word!

There are some sensitive viewers on this group...😗

On Monday, 6 April 2026, Danie Kotze <danie...@gmail.com> wrote:
Evening, 

And adding to this is that on T4Awe are looking at averages. Each individual's travelling style will determine how much up or down you will be from the average. Then also the times are driving times, excluding all stops along the way which differs vastly from one person to the next. 

At best it is a rough guideline of what to expect on a particular section of road and to also guide you to determine if a stretch of road might be possible in a day or if you must consider breaking it up over more than one day. 

The way fuel prices are going it is just becoming a bigger previledge every time one is able to do it. 

Cheers. 


Sent: Monday, April 6, 2026 5:40:45 PM

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Best wishes
 
Mike Slater



Lizette Swart

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Apr 7, 2026, 6:33:59 AMApr 7
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Hallo Zoltan,

We are looking into this to see if we can verify (or adjust) the T4A travel time (maybe you can confirm once you've been :-) )

Keep in mind that the travel times you see on T4A is "moving time" - so if you stop for a photo, to let other cars coming from the opposite direction pass, or get out to see a particularly tricky part from close up, that is not included in the 30 minutes. 

And as mentioned, the travel time is an average between different users - I myself tend to drive slower ("poer-poer" my friends say) so I always had some extra time to the T4A travel times.

We will get back to you on what we can find in the archives!

Regards/Groete

Lizette

Lizette Swart



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Lizette Swart

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Apr 9, 2026, 4:13:49 AM (13 days ago) Apr 9
to Tracks4Africa, Zoltan
Good morning all,

We have looked at recent data submissions for Sani Pass, and can confirm that the 30min travel time is fairly accurate. Keep in mind it is moving time, and speed and progress will be measured by driver confidence and vehicle capability. 

Two of my friends, that both drive Troopcarriers, and are confident off-roaders, did the drive in 30minutes, including "short stops" for photographs, etc.

I have done the pass 4 or 5 times and I know for me it takes closer to 90 minutes as I stop frequently to enjoy the view and take photographs! And of course, if you are in convoy, the group will take longer than a solo vehicle. 

@Zoltan I hope that helps!

Kind regards

Lizette Swart
lizette@tracks4africa
co.za
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