What it costs to drive from Pretoria to Durban at R28 per litre
The upcoming school holidays are the perfect opportunity for South Africans to escape the cold weather in the capital and head down the N3 for the warm beaches of Durban.
Flying from O.R. Tambo International Airport to the King Shaka International Airport may be the cheaper way to travel, but additional costs like car rentals would more than likely make up the difference.
It must be noted that travelling from Pretoria to Durban will also mean passing through no less than five toll gates, with fees ranging from R16 to R96, adding quite a bit to your driving costs.
According to a calculation by TopAuto, taking all of these factors into consideration, those planning to visit the coast later this month can expect to pay at least R2,065.50 for a round trip.
This is around 10% more than only two months ago, when holidaymakers would have travelled for the Easter long weekend.
It may be best to get away before the new month, with the General Fuel Levy (GFL) set to return to pre-relief levels, adding an additional R1.50 to every litre of fuel bought in July.
What it costs to drive from Pretoria to Durban right now
Departing from central Pretoria with the centre of Durban as an end destination gives a distance of around 615km, which most drivers can expect to complete in about six-and-a-half hours.
With the latest fuel price adjustment taking effect on 3 June, Petrol 93 retails for R27.95 per litre inland, while Petrol 95 retails for R28.06 per litre.
Holidaymakers will benefit from lower coastal prices on the way home, with savings possibly compounding should petrol prices decrease at the start of July, when they return to Gauteng.
Here is a breakdown of what fuel could cost you to visit Durban during the upcoming school holiday:
| Fuel economy | Fuel needed | One-way trip | Return trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0l/100km | 25 litres | R698.75 | R1,397.50 |
| 5.0l/100km | 31 litres | R866.45 | R1,732.90 |
| 6.0l/100km | 37 litres | R1,034.15 | R2,068.30 |
| 7.0l/100km | 43 litres | R1,201.85 | R2,403.70 |
| 8.0l/100km | 49 litres | R1,369.55 | R2,739.10 |
| 9.0l/100km | 55 litres | R1,537.25 | R3,074.50 |
| 10.0l/100km | 62 litres | R1,732.90 | R3,465.80 |
| 11.0l/100km | 68 litres | R1,900.60 | R3,801.20 |
| 12.0l/100km | 74 litres | R2,068.30 | R4,136.60 |
| 13.0l/100km | 80 litres | R2,236 | R4,472 |
Beyond petrol, those who choose to avoid alternative routes and keep to the N3 can expect to pay to pass through five toll plazas along the way.
Fees for the five plazas – De Hoek, Wilge, Tugela, Mooi, and Mariannhill – are as follows:
- De Hoek – R65
- Wilge – R90
- Tugela – R96
- Mooi – R67
- Mariannhill – R16
Passing through these adds an extra R334 in toll fees either way, and while this is a considerable amount, using an alternative route may result in a much higher fuel spend either way.
As a result of these factors, the best-case scenario for motorists means paying around R1,000 to visit Durban in a fuel-efficient car.
Those making the trip in a car that is not as efficient can expect to pay over R2,500 for a one way trip.
Calculating the cost to get to Durban from Pretoria is only half of the equation, unless you plan on staying there, which means these numbers can easily be doubled for a round-trip.
As such, someone making the trip down the N3 in an economical vehicle can expect to spend as little as R2065.50 to drive to Durban and back, while others may need to budget as much as R5,140 for the same trip.
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