Cost to drive from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to Nelspruit (Mbombela)
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Multi-leg route · via Johannesburg
Nelspruit (Mbombela)
Total distance
1424 km
Total tolls
R 458,50
Route legs
2 legs
Toll cost
R 458,50
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 |
| Diamond HillPretoria – Mpumalanga border | R 51,00 |
| MiddelburgWestern section Mpumalanga | R 84,00 |
| MachadoMiddle section Mpumalanga | R 126,00 |
| Total tolls | R 458,50 |
Return trip: R 917,00 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 1 763,03 | R 2 221,53 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 2 128,94 | R 2 587,44 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 2 661,17 | R 3 119,67 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 2 827,49 | R 3 285,99 |
| Ford Ranger | R 2 694,44 | R 3 152,94 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 2 228,73 | R 2 687,23 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 2 062,41 | R 2 520,91 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 2 594,64 | R 3 053,14 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 1 430,38 | R 1 888,88 |
| Tesla Model 3 | R 575,00 | R 1 033,50 |
| Tesla Model Y | R 652,18 | R 1 110,68 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 590,43 | R 1 048,93 |
Toll gates on the N9, N1, N4 from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to Nelspruit (Mbombela)
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 | ||
| Diamond Hill | R 51.00 | ||
| Middelburg | R 84.00 | ||
| Machado | R 126.00 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 458.50 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to Nelspruit (Mbombela)
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 2421
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 2787
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 2255
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 1922
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 2255
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 3153
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 2222
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 2587
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 3153
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 2388
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 2188
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 2355
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 (Gqeberha) to Nelspruit (Mbombela) trip (1424km), 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 far is Port Elizabeth from Nelspruit?
Approximately 1,424 km via Johannesburg. The drive takes 13–14 hours and is best split over two days.
What is the route from Port Elizabeth to Nelspruit?
N9 north from Port Elizabeth through Graaff-Reinet and Colesberg, N1 north to Johannesburg, then N4 east through Witbank to Nelspruit.
How much are tolls from Port Elizabeth to Nelspruit?
The N9 through the Karoo is toll-free. Tolls apply on the N1 between Colesberg and Johannesburg, and on the N4 East through Mpumalanga. See the calculator for the exact total.