Distance from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth
665km via the N9, N1 — about 6h 35m drive. Toll-free route. Select your vehicle below to calculate the exact fuel and total trip cost.
Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R25.58/L inland (updated 2026-08-05)
Toll cost
R 0,00
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
No mainline toll plazas on this route — it's toll-free.
Return trip: R 0,00 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 901,57 | R 901,57 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 1 088,68 | R 1 088,68 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 1 360,86 | R 1 360,86 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 1 445,91 | R 1 445,91 |
| Ford Ranger | R 1 377,87 | R 1 377,87 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 1 139,72 | R 1 139,72 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 1 054,66 | R 1 054,66 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 1 326,83 | R 1 326,83 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 731,46 | R 731,46 |
| BMW i4 | R 333,40 | R 333,40 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 275,73 | R 275,73 |
How far is Port Elizabeth from Bloemfontein?
The driving distance from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth is 665 km along the N9, N1. The trip takes about 6 hours 35 minutes under normal traffic, before fuel and rest stops. Add roughly 30–60 minutes for a typical road trip with stops on a route this length.
Notable towns en route: Colesberg, Graaff-Reinet. These are useful waypoints for fuel, food and rest stops.
Distance and drive time refer to the standard driving route via the N9, N1. Straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is shorter, but roads don't run in straight lines — driving distance is what matters for trip planning and fuel cost.
Need a different town pair? The distance calculator covers driving distance and fuel cost between any two of 120+ South African towns.
Toll gates on the N9, N1 from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth
The N9, N1 from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth is toll-free — there are no mainline toll plazas on this route. Your trip cost is fuel only.
| Plaza | Class I fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total (one way) | R 0.00 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 1004
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 1191
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 919
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 748
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 919
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 1378
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 902
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 1089
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 1378
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 987
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 885
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 970
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 Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth trip (665km), 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.
How trip costs are calculated
Fuel cost
Fuel cost is calculated as: (distance ÷ 100) × L/100km × fuel price. For this route (665 km) at the current inland price of R25.58/L, a car using 7L/100km would cost roughly R1191 in fuel one-way. Fuel figures are manufacturer-published combined-cycle values (WLTP or NEDC where WLTP is unavailable).
Toll fees
Only mainline toll plazas are counted — those that every driver on the route passes through. Ramp plazas (which only apply to specific on- or off-ramps) are excluded from the total. There are 0 mainline plazas on the N9, N1 for this route. Tariffs are sourced from Foresight Publications and reflect the 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment effective 1 March 2026.
Electric vehicle cost
For EVs, electricity cost is calculated as: (distance ÷ 100) × kWh/100km × Eskom tariff. The current Eskom Homelight 20A flat rate is 271c/kWh (effective April 2026, sourced from the NERSA-approved schedule). EVs pay the same mainline toll fees as petrol and diesel vehicles.
Data sources and update schedule
Fuel prices are updated monthly after each DMRE announcement (effective the first Wednesday of the month). Toll tariffs are updated each March 1 following the SANRAL CPI-linked adjustment. Vehicle fuel consumption figures are manufacturer-published specs — actual consumption varies with driving style, load, and conditions.
Other popular routes from Gauteng
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth?
The total toll cost from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth is R0.00 (0 mainline toll gates). Fuel cost depends on your vehicle — use the calculator above for an exact figure.
How far is it from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth?
The distance from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth via the N9, N1 is 665 km, which takes approximately 6 hours 35 minutes without stops.
How many toll gates are there from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth?
There are 0 mainline toll plazas on the N9, N1 from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth, totalling R0.00 for a standard light vehicle (Class I) as of March 2026.
What is the fastest route from Bloemfontein to Port Elizabeth?
The N9, N1 is the main and fastest route. The drive covers 665 km and takes about 6 hours 35 minutes in normal traffic.
Can I pay tolls by card on the N9, N1?
Yes. All major toll plazas on the N9, N1 accept contactless tap-and-go card payments — you do not need cash. No e-tag is required; Gauteng e-tolls were scrapped.