Luanda, Angola → Johannesburg, South Africa · ✈ 3h 36min · 🚗 40h 18min
1,339 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: southeast
The distance from Luanda to Johannesburg is 2,480 km (1,541 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 3h 36min.
The straight-line distance from Luanda, Angola to Johannesburg, South Africa is approximately 2,480 kilometers (1,541 miles or 1,339 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Johannesburg is located southeast of Luanda. Luanda is in Africa, in the Luanda region of Angola, while Johannesburg is in Africa, in Gauteng, South Africa. Both cities are in Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 2,480 km | ~3h 36min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~3,224 km | ~40h 18min | Long journey, consider stops |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Luanda to Johannesburg. For 2,480 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 3,224 km, fuel costs for driving from Luanda to Johannesburg are approximately $258–$484 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Luanda sits at 8.8390°S, 13.2894°E, while Johannesburg is located at 26.2041°S, 28.0473°E. The initial compass bearing from Luanda to Johannesburg is 143° (SE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Luanda heading roughly SE. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 17.37° and the longitude difference is 14.76°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Luanda and Johannesburg is approximately 17.6585°S, 20.3106°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 1,240 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Johannesburg is roughly 1 hour ahead of Luanda. When it is 09:00 in Luanda, it is approximately 10:00 in Johannesburg. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Luanda is a major city in Angola with a population of approximately 8,330,000. Located in the Luanda region, it is an important hub in Africa. As one of the largest cities in Angola, Luanda is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
Johannesburg is a notable city in South Africa with a population of approximately 5,635,127. Situated in the Gauteng region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Johannesburg is one of South Africa's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
→ See all distances from Johannesburg
2,480 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
The 2,480 km between Luanda and Johannesburg means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 8.3 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 3h 36min.
Combined, Luanda and Johannesburg have a population of over 13,965,127 people, making this a major urban corridor.
The straight-line distance from Luanda to Johannesburg is approximately 2,480 kilometers (1,541 miles, 1,339 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 3h 36min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 40h 18min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Johannesburg is approximately +1h ahead compared to Luanda.
The estimated road distance is approximately 3,224 km, which is about 30% longer than the 2,480 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.