The N1 continues north and passes through Ventersburg before reaching Kroonstad. There the R34 from Welkom joins the N1 Freeway for a few kilometres before making its own way towards Heilbron. There is a short dual carriageway freeway bypass of Kroonstad, before the N1 heads towards the Vaal River and Gauteng. Just before passing into Gauteng at the Vaal River, the N1 becomes a dual-carriageway freeway and features another toll plaza (the Vaal Toll Plaza) just south of its major interchange with the R59 Road, which provides access to the Vaal Triangle (Vereeniging and Sasolburg) in the east and Parys in the west.