Cost to drive from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Toll cost
R 197,50
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
| VerkeerdevleiKroonstad – Bloemfontein | R 78,50 |
| VaalLouisrus – Kroonstad | R 91,50 |
| GrasmereArmadale – Louisrus | R 27,50 |
| Total tolls | R 197,50 |
Return trip: R 395,00 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 1 317,32 | R 1 514,82 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 1 590,72 | R 1 788,22 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 1 988,40 | R 2 185,90 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 2 112,68 | R 2 310,18 |
| Ford Ranger | R 2 013,26 | R 2 210,76 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 1 665,29 | R 1 862,79 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 1 541,01 | R 1 738,51 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 1 938,69 | R 2 136,19 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 1 068,77 | R 1 266,27 |
| Tesla Model 3 | R 429,63 | R 627,13 |
| Tesla Model Y | R 487,30 | R 684,80 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 441,17 | R 638,67 |
Toll gates on the N9, N1 from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg
Mainline toll plazas only — ramp tolls apply to specific exits and are not included in the total.
| Plaza | Class I fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Verkeerdevlei | R 78.50 | ||
| Vaal | R 91.50 | ||
| Grasmere | R 27.50 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 197.50 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 1664
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 1937
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 1540
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 1291
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 1540
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 2211
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 1515
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 1788
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 2211
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 1639
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 1490
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 1614
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 Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg trip (1064km), 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 Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg?
R197.50 for a standard car (Class I, one way) as of March 2026. Three mainline plazas on the N1 north of Bloemfontein: Verkeerdevlei (R78.50), Vaal (R91.50), and Grasmere (R27.50). The N9 from Port Elizabeth to Colesberg is completely toll-free.
How long does it take to drive from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg?
Approximately 1,064 km via the N9 and N1, taking around 11 to 12 hours. Most drivers stop overnight in Graaff-Reinet or Bloemfontein.
What is the best route from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg?
The N9 inland route via Graaff-Reinet and Colesberg to the N1 is the standard route. An alternative is the N10 directly to Colesberg, which is slightly more direct and avoids the Graaff-Reinet detour.