Cost to drive from Cape Town to Johannesburg
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R23.36/L inland (updated 2026-04-01)
Toll cost
R 252,00
Fuel cost
—
Select your vehicle below
Total trip cost
—
Select your vehicle below
Add your vehicle
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 Cape Town to Johannesburg
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 — Cape Town to Johannesburg
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 Cape Town to Johannesburg 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 does it cost to drive from Cape Town to Johannesburg?
The total toll cost from Cape Town to Johannesburg is R252.00 (4 mainline toll gates). Fuel cost depends on your vehicle — use the calculator above for an exact figure.
How far is it from Cape Town to Johannesburg?
The distance from Cape Town to Johannesburg via the N1 is 1400 km, which takes approximately 14 hours without stops.
How many toll gates are there from Cape Town to Johannesburg?
There are 4 mainline toll plazas on the N1 from Cape Town to Johannesburg, totalling R252.00 for a standard light vehicle (Class I) as of March 2026.
What is the fastest route from Cape Town to Johannesburg?
The N1 is the main and fastest route. The drive covers 1400 km and takes about 14 hours in normal traffic.
Can I pay tolls by card on the N1?
Yes. All major toll plazas on the N1 accept contactless tap-and-go card payments — you do not need cash. No e-tag is required; Gauteng e-tolls were scrapped.