Tar road trip Cape town to Durban long way around

[Didi01]

Hi Guys
Looking for advice trip to Durban on the tar
Done N1 and N2 before.
December to much traffic
to my surprise when Google maps throws out the following
Cape Town to Calvina on to De Aar Bloem durban
200 km longer big surprise
Reckon i can make up the extra time
worry abit about the heat first week Jan
road conditions
traffic department

Any advice great appreciated
Thanks
Dion

 

[Thugscub]