Cost to drive from Polokwane to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)

1354 kmDistance
N1, N9Road
15h 2mDrive time
7Toll gates

Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)

Toll cost

R 430,00

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

NylMokopane – PolokwaneR 79,50
KranskopBela-Bela – MokopaneR 61,50
CarouselPretoria (N4 junction) – Bela-BelaR 75,00
PumulaniPretoria – HammanskraalR 16,50
GrasmereArmadale – LouisrusR 27,50
VaalLouisrus – KroonstadR 91,50
VerkeerdevleiKroonstad – BloemfonteinR 78,50
Total tollsR 430,00

Return trip: R 860,00 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

VehicleFuel / Elec.Total
Volkswagen PoloR 1 676,36R 2 106,36
Volkswagen Golf 8R 2 024,28R 2 454,28
Toyota FortunerR 2 530,36R 2 960,36
Toyota HiluxR 2 688,50R 3 118,50
Ford RangerR 2 561,98R 2 991,98
Mercedes-Benz C200R 2 119,17R 2 549,17
BMW 3 SeriesR 1 961,03R 2 391,03
Volkswagen Golf GTIR 2 467,10R 2 897,10
Toyota Corolla CrossR 1 360,07R 1 790,07
Tesla Model 3R 546,73R 976,73
Tesla Model YR 620,12R 1 050,12
BYD Atto 3R 561,41R 991,41
See all 44 vehicles →

Toll gates on the N1, N9 from Polokwane to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)

Mainline toll plazas only — ramp tolls apply to specific exits and are not included in the total.

PlazaClass I fee
NylR 79.50
KranskopR 61.50
CarouselR 75.00
PumulaniR 16.50
GrasmereR 27.50
VaalR 91.50
VerkeerdevleiR 78.50
Total (one way)R 430.00

Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment

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 Polokwane to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) trip (1354km), 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.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Polokwane from Port Elizabeth?

Approximately 1,354 km via Gauteng and the Karoo N9. The drive takes 13–14 hours and is usually done over two days.

What is the route from Polokwane to Port Elizabeth?

N1 south from Polokwane through Pretoria to Johannesburg, then south on the N1/N9 through Colesberg and Graaff-Reinet to Port Elizabeth.

How much are tolls from Polokwane to Port Elizabeth?

Tolls apply on the N1 North (Polokwane section) and on the N1 south of Johannesburg. The N9 through the Karoo is toll-free. See the calculator for the exact total.