Durban to Harare

Would it be less mileage to go from Durban to Harare via St Martin`s Drift border post in Botswana - also what is the condition of the roads and how do the people drive? I find going via Beit Bridge a bit daunting because of the truck laden single lane roads, the suicidal driving of some zimbabweans

Any reason for not taking this route?

Thanks in advance for all advice.

I can not really say that from Durban via Martin’s Drift (not Saint) border then via Botswana then through Plumtree to Zimbabwe is going to be shorter, but, less border hazels as Beit Bridge can be a problem.
Martin’s Drift can also be a very busy border with a lot of trucks. I usually use Parr’s Halt / Stockpoort near the SA town Ellisras (Lephalale) as no trucks are allowed to use this border, but from the border to the main Gaborone / Kasane tarmac road, it’s a 60km gravel road in a good condition but you can not drive faster than 80km as there are little villages along the road. Kids, goats, donkey and cattle are the main obstacle!

To say that you do not want to travel on single lanes with the trucks, well, all the roads in Zim and Botswana are single lanes and both routes are major roads for all traffic. However, never had any problems with truckers on the Martin’s Drift to Kasane road. I will do this route. Suicidal driving skills of Zimbabweans? All over Africa you have a problem; you just have to be alert!