Cost to drive from Bloemfontein to Cape Town
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Toll cost
R 54,50
Fuel cost
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Total trip cost
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See your exact fuel cost and total trip price.
Toll breakdown
Class I (standard car) · mainline plazas only · effective 1 March 2026
| HuguenotRawsonville – Paarl | R 54,50 |
| Total tolls | R 54,50 |
Return trip: R 109,00 in tolls · Source: foresightpublications.co.za
How does your vehicle compare?
Select a row to use that vehicle · tolls are the same for all · WLTP figures
| Vehicle | Fuel / Elec. | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Polo | R 1 238,08 | R 1 292,58 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 1 495,04 | R 1 549,54 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 1 868,80 | R 1 923,30 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 1 985,60 | R 2 040,10 |
| Ford Ranger | R 1 892,16 | R 1 946,66 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 1 565,12 | R 1 619,62 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 1 448,32 | R 1 502,82 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 1 822,08 | R 1 876,58 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 1 004,48 | R 1 058,98 |
| Tesla Model 3 | R 403,79 | R 458,29 |
| Tesla Model Y | R 457,99 | R 512,49 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 414,63 | R 469,13 |
Toll gates on the N1 from Bloemfontein to Cape Town
Mainline toll plazas only — ramp tolls apply to specific exits and are not included in the total.
| Plaza | Class I fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Huguenot | R 54.50 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 54.50 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Bloemfontein to Cape Town
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 1433
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 1690
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 1316
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 1082
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 1316
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 1947
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 1293
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 1550
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 1947
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 1409
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 1269
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 1386
Tips for saving money on this trip
Fuel economy matters more than tolls on longer routes. A Polo 1.0 TSI uses about 38% less fuel than a Fortuner over the same distance. On the Bloemfontein to Cape Town trip (1000km), that difference can be R200–R500 depending on the vehicle.
Tyre pressure and speed have a measurable effect. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel use by up to 3%. Driving at 110km/h instead of 120km/h can reduce fuel consumption by 10–15% on a highway trip.
Toll payments. All major toll plazas on this route now accept contactless tap-and-go card payments — no need to keep cash. E-tags (Sanral e-toll) no longer apply in Gauteng as the e-toll system was scrapped.
Other popular routes from Gauteng
Frequently asked questions
How many toll gates are there between Bloemfontein and Cape Town?
Just one: the Huguenot Tunnel plaza (R54.50 for a standard car) on the N1 near Paarl. The entire 950 km stretch from Bloemfontein to the tunnel is completely toll-free.
How long does it take to drive from Bloemfontein to Cape Town?
Roughly 10 to 11 hours covering 1,000 km on the N1. Most drivers break the trip in Beaufort West (roughly the halfway point at ~460 km), which has petrol stations, restaurants, and overnight accommodation.
What is the best route from Bloemfontein to Cape Town?
The N1 is the standard and most direct route. Head south through Springfontein, Colesberg and Beaufort West, then through the Hex River Valley and the Huguenot Tunnel into the Cape Winelands.
How much is the Huguenot Tunnel toll in 2026?
R54.50 for a Class I (standard light vehicle) as of 1 March 2026 (SANRAL CPI-linked increase).