Distance from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
300km via the N2 — about 3h 10m 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
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Total trip cost
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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 406,72 | R 406,72 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 491,14 | R 491,14 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 613,92 | R 613,92 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 652,29 | R 652,29 |
| Ford Ranger | R 621,59 | R 621,59 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 514,16 | R 514,16 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 475,79 | R 475,79 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 598,57 | R 598,57 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 329,98 | R 329,98 |
| BMW i4 | R 150,41 | R 150,41 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 124,39 | R 124,39 |
How far is Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) from East London?
The driving distance from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) is 300 km along the N2. The trip takes about 3 hours 10 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: King William's Town, Grahamstown, Storms River, Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay. These are useful waypoints for fuel, food and rest stops.
Distance and drive time refer to the standard driving route via the N2. 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 N2 from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
The N2 from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) 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 — East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 453
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 537
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 414
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 338
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 414
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 622
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 407
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 491
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 622
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 445
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 399
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 437
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 East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) trip (300km), 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 (300 km) at the current inland price of R25.58/L, a car using 7L/100km would cost roughly R537 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 N2 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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)?
The total toll cost from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) 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 East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)?
The distance from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) via the N2 is 300 km, which takes approximately 3 hours 10 minutes without stops.
How many toll gates are there from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)?
There are 0 mainline toll plazas on the N2 from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), totalling R0.00 for a standard light vehicle (Class I) as of March 2026.
What is the fastest route from East London to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)?
The N2 is the main and fastest route. The drive covers 300 km and takes about 3 hours 10 minutes in normal traffic.
Can I pay tolls by card on the N2?
Yes. All major toll plazas on the N2 accept contactless tap-and-go card payments — you do not need cash. No e-tag is required; Gauteng e-tolls were scrapped.