Cost to drive from Cape Town to Polokwane
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Multi-leg route · via Johannesburg
Polokwane
Total distance
1690 km
Total tolls
R 484,50
Route legs
2 legs
Toll cost
R 484,50
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 (Western Cape) | R 54,50 |
| VerkeerdevleiKroonstad – Bloemfontein | R 78,50 |
| VaalLouisrus – Kroonstad (Free State) | R 91,50 |
| GrasmereArmadale – Louisrus (south of JHB) | R 27,50 |
| PumulaniPretoria – Hammanskraal | R 16,50 |
| CarouselPretoria (N4 junction) – Bela-Bela | R 75,00 |
| KranskopBela-Bela – Mokopane | R 61,50 |
| NylMokopane – Polokwane | R 79,50 |
| Total tolls | R 484,50 |
Return trip: R 969,00 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 2 092,36 | R 2 576,86 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 2 526,62 | R 3 011,12 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 3 158,27 | R 3 642,77 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 3 355,66 | R 3 840,16 |
| Ford Ranger | R 3 197,75 | R 3 682,25 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 2 645,05 | R 3 129,55 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 2 447,66 | R 2 932,16 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 3 079,32 | R 3 563,82 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 1 697,57 | R 2 182,07 |
| Tesla Model 3 | R 682,41 | R 1 166,91 |
| Tesla Model Y | R 774,00 | R 1 258,50 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 700,72 | R 1 185,22 |
Toll gates on the N1 from Cape Town to Polokwane
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 | ||
| Verkeerdevlei | R 78.50 | ||
| Vaal | R 91.50 | ||
| Grasmere | R 27.50 | ||
| Pumulani | R 16.50 | ||
| Carousel | R 75.00 | ||
| Kranskop | R 61.50 | ||
| Nyl | R 79.50 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 484.50 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Cape Town to Polokwane
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 2814
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 3248
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 2616
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 2222
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 2616
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 3682
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 2577
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 3011
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 3682
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 2774
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 2537
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 2735
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 Cape Town to Polokwane trip (1690km), 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 far is Cape Town from Polokwane?
Approximately 1,690 km via the N1 through Gauteng. Most drivers take two days, stopping overnight in Bloemfontein or Johannesburg.
What is the route from Cape Town to Polokwane?
N1 north the entire way: Cape Town → Paarl → Beaufort West → Bloemfontein → Johannesburg → Pretoria → Polokwane.
How much are tolls from Cape Town to Polokwane?
N1 South plazas (Cape Town to Gauteng) and N1 North plazas (Polokwane section) all apply. Use the calculator for the current total.