Cost to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Toll cost
R 252,00
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
| GrasmereArmadale – Louisrus (south of JHB) | R 27,50 |
| VaalLouisrus – Kroonstad (Free State) | R 91,50 |
| VerkeerdevleiKroonstad – Bloemfontein | R 78,50 |
| HuguenotRawsonville – Paarl (Western Cape) | R 54,50 |
| Total tolls | R 252,00 |
Return trip: R 504,00 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 1 733,31 | R 1 985,31 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 2 093,06 | R 2 345,06 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 2 616,32 | R 2 868,32 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 2 779,84 | R 3 031,84 |
| Ford Ranger | R 2 649,02 | R 2 901,02 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 2 191,17 | R 2 443,17 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 2 027,65 | R 2 279,65 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 2 550,91 | R 2 802,91 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 1 406,27 | R 1 658,27 |
| Tesla Model 3 | R 565,31 | R 817,31 |
| Tesla Model Y | R 641,19 | R 893,19 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 580,48 | R 832,48 |
Toll gates on the N1 from Johannesburg to Cape Town
Mainline toll plazas only — ramp tolls apply to specific exits and are not included in the total.
| Plaza | Class I fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere | R 27.50 | ||
| Vaal | R 91.50 | ||
| Verkeerdevlei | R 78.50 | ||
| Huguenot | R 54.50 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 252.00 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Johannesburg to Cape Town
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 2182
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 2541
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 2018
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 1691
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 2018
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 2901
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 1985
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 2345
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 2901
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 2149
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 1953
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 2116
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 Cape Town trip (1400km), 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 Johannesburg to Cape Town?
There are 4 mainline toll plazas on the N1 between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Total toll cost is approximately R252 for a standard light vehicle (one way) as of March 2026.
How long does it take to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
The drive is approximately 1,400km and takes about 14 hours without stops. Most people split it over 2 days, stopping in Beaufort West or Bloemfontein.
What is the best overnight stop between Johannesburg and Cape Town?
Bloemfontein (400km from JHB) and Beaufort West (900km) are the most popular overnight stops. Three Sisters in the Karoo is also popular as a 2-stop option.
Is the Huguenot Tunnel the same as the Huguenot Toll?
No — the Huguenot Tunnel (Du Toitskloof) is a separate R107 toll. The Huguenot Toll plaza (R54.50) is on the main N1. Check your route on Google Maps to see which applies to your specific path.