[2][3] It connects Sir Lowry's Pass Village with Wynberg via Somerset West, Firgrove, Macassar, Khayelitsha and Nyanga.

It heads west-north-west for 6 kilometres, parallel to the N2, to enter the town of Somerset West and reach a junction with the M153 route, where it changes its name to Main Road.

At the next junction, the M9 leaves Main Road to become Andries Pretorius Street via a left turn.

It continues west-north-west and reaches a junction with the R310 route (Baden Powell Drive), where it enters the large township of Khayelitsha.

The M9 heads west-north-west through Khayelitsha for 10 kilometres as Govan Mbeki Drive, meeting the M32 route, to fly over the R300 freeway (Kuils River Freeway) and pass through the Nyanga township and the northern part of the Philippi township westwards as Japhta K Masemola Road.