City guides
Car hire in Roodepoort
By CarRentalZA editorial team · 5 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
- Nearest airport
- Lanseria International, about 30 km
- Lanseria to Roodepoort
- Roughly 25 to 30 minutes
- OR Tambo
- About 60 km, roughly 50 to 70 minutes
- Small car, from
- About R202 a day nationally (Discover Cars, 29 September 2026)
- Nearby
- Cradle of Humankind about 30 to 40 minutes away
Car hire in Roodepoort serves the West Rand, and the most useful thing to know is which airport to use, because Lanseria is only about 25 to 30 minutes away while OR Tambo is closer to an hour across the whole metro, and that difference decides where most people collect.
Roodepoort is also the closest large suburb to the Cradle of Humankind, which is the main reason visitors hire a car here.
Below: who has a presence, national rate benchmarks, driving notes, and drive times west and into the city.
Where to collect a car in Roodepoort
Roodepoort and the surrounding West Rand have local branches serving residents, business and replacement hire. Hours are weekday focused.
For a wider choice, Lanseria is the practical airport at 25 to 30 minutes, and it is much quicker to reach from here than OR Tambo. If your preferred brand is not at Lanseria, OR Tambo has everything but costs you the drive across the metro.
Krugersdorp and Randburg branches are also within easy reach if Roodepoort itself is sold out for your dates.
Which rental brands have a presence in Roodepoort
| Brand | Presence |
|---|---|
| First Car Rental | Roodepoort presence |
Coverage for the other brands on this site varies on the West Rand, and most serve the area from Lanseria, Randburg or OR Tambo. Do not assume a local branch exists for your preferred brand. Check availability for your dates.
What you can expect to pay
Roodepoort sits inside the Gauteng market, so the underlying competition is the strongest in the country even where the local branch count is small.
| What price comparison sites showed on 29 September 2026 | Per day |
|---|---|
| Discover Cars, small car, from | R202 |
| Discover Cars, average rental in South Africa | R271 |
| Discover Cars, premium car, from | R837 |
| Cheapflights, average paid over the last 12 months | R556 |
These figures come from Discover Cars and Cheapflights. Most are national, not Roodepoort quotes. A "from" price is the cheapest car found on the day; an average includes bigger cars and longer rentals, which is why the two sites differ so much. Discover Cars puts December at about R474 a day against about R387 in September, so holiday dates cost more.
Because the local branch network is thin, availability rather than price is often the deciding factor. Pricing Lanseria at the same time is usually worth the two minutes.
Driving and parking on the West Rand
The N1 western bypass, the N14 towards Krugersdorp and the R28 are the main routes. Traffic is heavy on the N1 in both peaks but the west of the metro is generally easier than the north.
Gauteng's urban e-toll gantries stopped billing in 2024, so these freeways are not tolled. Conventional toll plazas apply on the N4 west towards Rustenburg.
Parking is easy, with large free parkades at Clearwater Mall and the other shopping centres.
Standard Gauteng habits apply: valuables out of sight, doors locked in slow traffic, guarded parking, and unlit intersections treated as four way stops during load shedding.
Drive times from Roodepoort
Approximate one way driving times in normal traffic:
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Lanseria Airport | About 30 km | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Johannesburg CBD | About 20 km | 25 to 35 minutes |
| Sandton | About 25 km | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Cradle of Humankind, Maropeng | About 35 km | 30 to 40 minutes |
| OR Tambo International | About 60 km | 50 to 70 minutes |
| Hartbeespoort Dam | About 60 km | 50 minutes |
| Sun City and Pilanesberg | About 170 km | 2 hours |
The Cradle of Humankind is the standout outing from here, and it is close enough for a half day.
Frequently asked questions
Which car hire companies are in Roodepoort?
First Car Rental has a Roodepoort presence. Coverage for the other brands varies on the West Rand, and most serve the area from Lanseria, Randburg or OR Tambo, so check availability for your dates rather than assuming a local branch.
Should I use Lanseria or OR Tambo from Roodepoort?
Lanseria, in most cases. It is about 25 to 30 minutes away against roughly an hour for OR Tambo across the metro. OR Tambo has more brands and a deeper fleet, so it only wins if you need something Lanseria does not carry.
How much is car hire in Roodepoort?
On 29 September 2026 Discover Cars showed small cars across South Africa from about R202 a day and an average rental of R271 a day, and Cheapflights' average over the previous 12 months was R556 a day. Prices move with the season, how early you book, how long you keep the car and the excess cover you choose, so get a quote for your dates.
How far is Roodepoort from the Cradle of Humankind?
About 35 km and roughly 30 to 40 minutes to Maropeng. It is comfortably a half day outing, and Roodepoort is one of the closest parts of the metro to it, which is a common reason visitors hire a car on this side of the city.
Is parking free in Roodepoort?
Mostly yes. Clearwater Mall and the other shopping centres have large free parkades, and open parking is common elsewhere with informal car guards. Keep valuables out of sight, as everywhere in the Johannesburg metro.
Are there tolls around Roodepoort?
The Gauteng urban e-toll gantries stopped billing in 2024, so the metro freeways are not tolled. The N4 west towards Rustenburg and Sun City does have conventional toll plazas, so keep a card or cash if you head that way.
