With the petrol price up again in December 2025, South Africans heading to the coast by car can expect to pay more for holiday travel this year.
Using current inland and coastal fuel rates, here’s what it’ll cost to drive from Johannesburg to Durban, Cape Town, and Knysna, including fuel and tolls for the average car.
Johannesburg to Durban (N3)
- Distance: ±570km
- Tolls: Tugela (R78), Mooi River (R66), Mariannhill (R13.50)
- Total tolls: ±R157.50
- Fuel cost (95 unleaded @ R21.84 inland):
- Hatchback (6.0L/100km): ±R747
- Sedan (7.0L/100km): ±R873
- SUV (9.0L/100km): ±R1,122
Total one-way cost:
- Hatchback: R904.50
- Sedan: R1,030.50
- SUV: R1,279.50
Johannesburg to Cape Town (N1)
- Distance: ±1,400km
- Tolls: Grasmere (R24), Vaal (R74), Verkeerdevlei (R65)
- Total tolls: ±R163
- Fuel cost (95 unleaded @ R21.84 inland):
- Hatchback: ±R1,834
- Sedan: ±R2,140
- SUV: ±R2,754
Total one-way cost:
- Hatchback: R1,997
- Sedan: R2,303
- SUV: R2,917
Cape Town to Knysna (N2)
- Distance: ±480km
- Tolls: None on this route
- Fuel cost (95 unleaded @ R21.12 coastal):
- Hatchback (6.0L/100km): ±R608
- Sedan (7.0L/100km): ±R710
- SUV (9.0L/100km): ±R912
Total one-way cost:
- Hatchback: R608
- Sedan: R710
- SUV: R912
How to lower your holiday driving costs
- Stick to the speed limit to reduce fuel use
- Avoid driving with unnecessary weight
- Make fewer stops to avoid repeated start-ups
- Consider carpooling to share toll and fuel costs
Motorists are advised to budget for return costs, which effectively doubles the total fuel and toll spend.
With high holiday traffic expected, early departure and route planning can also save time and money.
