Cost to drive from Johannesburg to Durban
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Toll cost
R 347,50
Fuel cost
—
Select your vehicle below
Total trip cost
—
Select your vehicle below
Add your vehicle
See your exact fuel cost and total trip price.
Toll breakdown
Class I (standard car) · mainline plazas only · effective 1 March 2026
| De HoekHeidelberg – Villiers | R 67,00 |
| WilgeVilliers – Warden | R 94,00 |
| TugelaWarden – Frere | R 100,00 |
| MooiFrere – Cedara (Pietermaritzburg) | R 70,00 |
| MariannhillKey Ridge – Paradise Valley (Durban) | R 16,50 |
| Total tolls | R 347,50 |
Return trip: R 695,00 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 730,47 | R 1 077,97 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 882,07 | R 1 229,57 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 1 102,59 | R 1 450,09 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 1 171,50 | R 1 519,00 |
| Ford Ranger | R 1 116,37 | R 1 463,87 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 923,42 | R 1 270,92 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 854,51 | R 1 202,01 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 1 075,03 | R 1 422,53 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 592,64 | R 940,14 |
| Tesla Model 3 | R 238,24 | R 585,74 |
| Tesla Model Y | R 270,21 | R 617,71 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 244,63 | R 592,13 |
Toll gates on the N3 from Johannesburg to Durban
Mainline toll plazas only — ramp tolls apply to specific exits and are not included in the total.
| Plaza | Class I fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| De Hoek | R 67.00 | ||
| Wilge | R 94.00 | ||
| Tugela | R 100.00 | ||
| Mooi | R 70.00 | ||
| Mariannhill | R 16.50 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 347.50 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Johannesburg to Durban
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 1161
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 1312
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 1092
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 954
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 1092
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 1464
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 1078
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 1230
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 1464
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 1147
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 1064
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 1133
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 Johannesburg to Durban trip (590km), 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 Johannesburg and Durban?
There are 5 mainline toll plazas on the N3: De Hoek, Wilge, Tugela, Mooi, and Mariannhill. Total toll cost for a standard car is approximately R347.50 one way as of March 2026.
How long does it take to drive from Johannesburg to Durban?
The drive is approximately 590km and typically takes 5.5 to 6 hours without stops, depending on traffic.
Is Van Reenen's Pass open on the N3?
Van Reenen's Pass (near the Tugela toll) can be closed during severe weather or snow in winter. Check the N3TC traffic updates before you travel.
Can I pay N3 tolls with a tap card?
Yes. N3TC introduced contactless tap-and-go payments in late 2024 across all their plazas.