Cost to drive from Durban to Polokwane
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Toll cost
R 580,00
Fuel cost
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Total trip cost
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Toll breakdown
Class I (standard car) · mainline plazas only · effective 1 March 2026
| MariannhillKey Ridge – Paradise Valley (Durban) | R 16,50 |
| MooiFrere – Cedara | R 70,00 |
| TugelaWarden – Frere | R 100,00 |
| WilgeVilliers – Warden | R 94,00 |
| De HoekHeidelberg – Villiers | R 67,00 |
| 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 580,00 |
Return trip: R 1 160,00 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 1 085,80 | R 1 665,80 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 1 311,15 | R 1 891,15 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 1 638,94 | R 2 218,94 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 1 741,37 | R 2 321,37 |
| Ford Ranger | R 1 659,42 | R 2 239,42 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 1 372,61 | R 1 952,61 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 1 270,18 | R 1 850,18 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 1 597,96 | R 2 177,96 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 880,93 | R 1 460,93 |
| Tesla Model 3 | R 354,12 | R 934,12 |
| Tesla Model Y | R 401,66 | R 981,66 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 363,63 | R 943,63 |
Toll gates on the N3 from Durban to Polokwane
Mainline toll plazas only — ramp tolls apply to specific exits and are not included in the total.
| Plaza | Class I fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mariannhill | R 16.50 | ||
| Mooi | R 70.00 | ||
| Tugela | R 100.00 | ||
| Wilge | R 94.00 | ||
| De Hoek | R 67.00 | ||
| Pumulani | R 16.50 | ||
| Carousel | R 75.00 | ||
| Kranskop | R 61.50 | ||
| Nyl | R 79.50 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 580.00 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Durban to Polokwane
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 1789
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 2014
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 1686
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 1481
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 1686
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 2239
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 1666
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 1891
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 2239
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 1768
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 1645
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 1748
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 Durban to Polokwane trip (877km), 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 much are tolls from Durban to Polokwane?
There are 9 mainline toll plazas: 5 on the N3 (R347.50) and 4 on the N1 North (R232.50), totalling R580.00 for a standard car (one way) as of March 2026.
How long does it take to drive from Durban to Polokwane?
Approximately 877km via the N3 and N1 North. Expect around 9 hours without stops. Most drivers split this over two days with an overnight stop in Johannesburg or Pretoria.
What is the route from Durban to Polokwane?
Follow the N3 north from Durban to Johannesburg, then take the N1 north through Pretoria, Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) and Mokopane to Polokwane.
Is there a toll between Johannesburg and Pretoria?
No. The N1 between Johannesburg and Pretoria is part of the Gauteng urban freeway network and is completely toll-free since the scrapping of e-tolls.