The R542 is a Regional Route in South Africa. Its western terminus is the R544 at Vandyksdrif, Mpumalanga. It heads east, crossing the R35. It reaches and intersection with the R38, which heads north-east to Hendrina. Here the R38 crosses the N11. The R542 is then co-signed with the N11, and heads south for 20 kilometres before branching from the N11 heading east to Breyten. At Breyten, the intersecting north-south R36 is co-signed for a short length. From Breyten, the R542 continues east to end in the village of Chrissiesmeer at an intersection with the N17.