Distance from Johannesburg to Cape Town
1400km via the N1 — about 14h drive. There are 4 mainline toll gates, totalling R252 one-way. 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 252,00
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
| GrasmereArmadale – Louisrus (south of JHB) | R 27,50 |
| VaalLouisrus – Kroonstad (Free State) | R 91,50 |
| VerkeerdevleiKroonstad – Bloemfontein | R 78,50 |
| HuguenotRawsonville – Paarl (Western Cape) | R 54,50 |
| Total tolls | R 252,00 |
Return trip: R 504,00 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 1 898,04 | R 2 150,04 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 2 291,97 | R 2 543,97 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 2 864,96 | R 3 116,96 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 3 044,02 | R 3 296,02 |
| Ford Ranger | R 2 900,77 | R 3 152,77 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 2 399,40 | R 2 651,40 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 2 220,34 | R 2 472,34 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 2 793,34 | R 3 045,34 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 1 539,92 | R 1 791,92 |
| BMW i4 | R 701,89 | R 953,89 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 580,48 | R 832,48 |
How far is Cape Town from Johannesburg?
The driving distance from Johannesburg to Cape Town is 1400 km along the N1. The trip takes about 14 hours 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: Vereeniging, Kroonstad, Bloemfontein, Colesberg, Beaufort West, Worcester. These are useful waypoints for fuel, food and rest stops.
Distance and drive time refer to the standard driving route via the 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 N1 from Johannesburg to Cape Town
There are 4 mainline toll gates on the N1 from Johannesburg to Cape Town, totalling R252.00 one-way for a Class I vehicle (effective 1 March 2026). Ramp tolls apply to specific exits only and are not included in the total.
| Plaza | Class I fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere | R 27.50 | ||
| Vaal | R 91.50 | ||
| Verkeerdevlei | R 78.50 | ||
| Huguenot | R 54.50 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 252.00 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
About Cape Town
Cape Town is South Africa's most visited city and one of the world's top travel destinations. Home to Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, Boulders Beach penguins, and the Cape Winelands, it draws more domestic visitors from Gauteng than any other destination in the country. The city is also South Africa's legislative capital and its second-largest commercial hub.
Why people drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town
Holiday and tourism
The most common reason by far. Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Cape Point, Clifton beaches, and the Winelands draw millions of visitors a year — the majority from Gauteng. December and Easter are the peak travel periods.
University
UCT, Stellenbosch University, and Cape Peninsula University of Technology together enrol tens of thousands of students, many from Gauteng. The January start and November end of the academic year are among the busiest weeks for the JHB–CT route.
Family visits
A large portion of Gauteng residents have family in the Western Cape. Internal migration between the two provinces has been consistently high for decades, making family visits one of the steadiest year-round travel motivations.
Business travel
Cape Town hosts Parliament, several major financial institutions, and a growing technology sector. The Johannesburg–Cape Town corridor is one of the busiest domestic business routes in Africa, often making the drive a practical alternative to flying for those who need a car at the destination.
Relocation
Internal migration from Gauteng to the Western Cape has increased markedly over the past decade. Many households choose to drive the route to transport furniture and belongings, making it a cost-effective alternative to a moving truck.
Recommended stops on the Johannesburg to Cape Town drive
Based on km markers along the N1. Distances measured from central Johannesburg.
| Town | km from JHB |
|---|---|
| Vereeniging | 60 |
| Bloemfontein | 400 |
| Colesberg | 640 |
| Beaufort West | 900 |
| Worcester | 1340 |
Cost by vehicle — Johannesburg to Cape Town
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 2365
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 2759
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 2186
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 1828
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 2186
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 3153
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 2150
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 2544
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 3153
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 2329
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 2114
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 2293
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 Johannesburg to Cape Town trip (1400km), 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 (1400 km) at the current inland price of R25.58/L, a car using 7L/100km would cost roughly R2507 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 4 mainline plazas on the 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 are tolls from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
There are 4 mainline toll plazas on the N1 between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Total toll cost is approximately R252 for a standard light vehicle (one way) as of March 2026.
How long does it take to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
The drive is approximately 1,400km and takes about 14 hours without stops. Most people split it over 2 days, stopping in Beaufort West or Bloemfontein.
What is the best overnight stop between Johannesburg and Cape Town?
Bloemfontein (400km from JHB) and Beaufort West (900km) are the most popular overnight stops. Three Sisters in the Karoo is also popular as a 2-stop option.
Is the Huguenot Tunnel the same as the Huguenot Toll?
No — the Huguenot Tunnel (Du Toitskloof) is a separate R107 toll. The Huguenot Toll plaza (R54.50) is on the main N1. Check your route on Google Maps to see which applies to your specific path.