Cost to drive from Durban to Johannesburg
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Toll cost
R 347,50
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
| 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 Durban to Johannesburg
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 — Durban to Johannesburg
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 Durban to Johannesburg 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 much does it cost to drive from Durban to Johannesburg?
The total toll cost from Durban to Johannesburg is R347.50 (5 mainline toll gates). Fuel cost depends on your vehicle — use the calculator above for an exact figure.
How far is it from Durban to Johannesburg?
The distance from Durban to Johannesburg via the N3 is 590 km, which takes approximately 6 hours without stops.
How many toll gates are there from Durban to Johannesburg?
There are 5 mainline toll plazas on the N3 from Durban to Johannesburg, totalling R347.50 for a standard light vehicle (Class I) as of March 2026.
What is the fastest route from Durban to Johannesburg?
The N3 is the main and fastest route. The drive covers 590 km and takes about 6 hours in normal traffic.
Can I pay tolls by card on the N3?
Yes. All major toll plazas on the N3 accept contactless tap-and-go card payments — you do not need cash. No e-tag is required; Gauteng e-tolls were scrapped.