What it costs to drive from Joburg to Durban at R27 per litre
Spring is finally here, and many hotels and businesses have started running promotions to households to take advantage of the warmer weather.
However, anyone living in Gauteng who plans to make a trip to Durban to make the most of the upcoming school holidays or enjoy a weekend getaway will need to budget a substantial amount for fuel and toll fees.
The price of petrol has steadily increased this year due to the war in Iran, which caused global oil prices to skyrocket.
Before the war, Brent Crude was trading at around $67 per barrel, but prices have since climbed to $105 per barrel as of September 2026.
Because of this, anyone planning to travel to the coast this month will need to budget at least R1,933.32 for fuel and toll fees.
Driving to the coast
Using Sandton as a general starting point for residents in Gauteng, the drive down to Durban’s CBD along the N3 is approximately 570km, and will take six hours.
Following the latest petrol price increases this September, motorists are now paying R26.92 per litre for petrol 95 at inland rates.
As a result, this is how much you can expect to pay for petrol to travel from Joburg to Durban and back again, depending on your car’s fuel efficiency:
| Fuel economy | Fuel needed | One-way trip | Return trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0l/100km | 23 litres | R619.16 | R1,238.32 |
| 5.0l/100km | 29 litres | R780.68 | R1,561.36 |
| 6.0l/100km | 34 litres | R915.28 | R1,830.56 |
| 7.0l/100km | 40 litres | R1,076.80 | R2,153.60 |
| 8.0l/100km | 46 litres | R1,238.32 | R2,476.64 |
| 9.0l/100km | 51 litres | R1,372.92 | R2,745.84 |
| 10.0l/100km | 57 litres | R1,534.44 | R3,068.88 |
| 11.0l/100km | 63 litres | R1,695.96 | R3,391.92 |
| 12.0l/100km | 68 litres | R1,830.56 | R3,661.12 |
| 13.0l/100km | 74 litres | R1,992.08 | R3,984.16 |
Unfortunately, fuel is not the only expense to consider, as there are five toll gates on the road to Durban at De Hoek, Wilge, Tugela, Mooi, and Mariannhill.
The fees for each of these plazas were last updated on 1 March 2026. They are as follows:
- De Hoek – R67
- Wilge – R94
- Tugela – R100
- Mooi – R70
- Mariannhill – R16.50
Altogether, you are looking at a toll bill of R347.50 if you’re planning on driving to Durban this year.
Adding it to the fuel cost means motorists are looking at a minimum of R966.66 to make the journey, which doubles to R1,933.32 for a return trip. However, this assumes they have a very fuel-efficient car.
On the other end of the spectrum, individuals who drive a thirsty set of wheels can expect to spend R2,339.58 for the first half of the trip, and R4,679.16 by the time they get home.
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