The R501 is a Regional Route in South Africa that connects Carletonville with Viljoenskroon via Potchefstroom.

[1] It begins at a junction with the N12 national route in Gauteng province (south-west of Westonaria), just west of the N12's intersection with the R28.

[1] After bypassing the town centre, it continues westwards to meet the south-western terminus of the R559.

Just after, it crosses into the North West province, and gradually turns into a more southerly direction, bypassing the Boskop Dam, to reach Potchefstroom to the south-west.

It proceeds to cross the Vaal River into the Free State at the Scandinavia Drift and end at an intersection with the R59 north of Viljoenskroon.