Distance from Johannesburg to East London
962km via the N6, N1 — about 10h 40m drive. There are 3 mainline toll gates, totalling R198 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 197,50
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
| VerkeerdevleiKroonstad – Bloemfontein | R 78,50 |
| VaalLouisrus – Kroonstad | R 91,50 |
| GrasmereArmadale – Louisrus | R 27,50 |
| Total tolls | R 197,50 |
Return trip: R 395,00 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 1 304,22 | R 1 501,72 |
| Volkswagen Golf 8 | R 1 574,91 | R 1 772,41 |
| Toyota Fortuner | R 1 968,64 | R 2 166,14 |
| Toyota Hilux | R 2 091,68 | R 2 289,18 |
| Ford Ranger | R 1 993,24 | R 2 190,74 |
| Mercedes-Benz C200 | R 1 648,73 | R 1 846,23 |
| BMW 3 Series | R 1 525,69 | R 1 723,19 |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI | R 1 919,42 | R 2 116,92 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross | R 1 058,14 | R 1 255,64 |
| BMW i4 | R 482,30 | R 679,80 |
| BYD Atto 3 | R 398,87 | R 596,37 |
How far is East London from Johannesburg?
The driving distance from Johannesburg to East London is 962 km along the N6, N1. The trip takes about 10 hours 40 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: Bloemfontein, Aliwal North, Queenstown. These are useful waypoints for fuel, food and rest stops.
Distance and drive time refer to the standard driving route via the N6, 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 N6, N1 from Johannesburg to East London
There are 3 mainline toll gates on the N6, N1 from Johannesburg to East London, totalling R197.50 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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Verkeerdevlei | R 78.50 | ||
| Vaal | R 91.50 | ||
| Grasmere | R 27.50 | ||
| Total (one way) | R 197.50 | ||
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment
Cost by vehicle — Johannesburg to East London
Select your car to see the exact fuel and toll cost for this route.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
5.9L/100km
R 1649
Toyota Corolla Quest
7L/100km
R 1920
Toyota Starlet
5.4L/100km
R 1526
Suzuki Swift
4.4L/100km
R 1280
Suzuki Baleno
5.4L/100km
R 1526
Haval Jolion
8.1L/100km
R 2191
Volkswagen Polo
5.3L/100km
R 1502
Volkswagen Golf 8
6.4L/100km
R 1772
Toyota Corolla Cross
8.1L/100km
R 2191
Hyundai i20
5.8L/100km
R 1625
Kia Picanto
5.2L/100km
R 1477
Renault Clio
5.7L/100km
R 1600
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 East London trip (962km), 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 (962 km) at the current inland price of R25.58/L, a car using 7L/100km would cost roughly R1723 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 3 mainline plazas on the N6, 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 Johannesburg to East London?
The total toll cost from Johannesburg to East London is R197.50 (3 mainline toll gates). Fuel cost depends on your vehicle — use the calculator above for an exact figure.
How far is it from Johannesburg to East London?
The distance from Johannesburg to East London via the N6, N1 is 962 km, which takes approximately 10 hours 40 minutes without stops.
How many toll gates are there from Johannesburg to East London?
There are 3 mainline toll plazas on the N6, N1 from Johannesburg to East London, totalling R197.50 for a standard light vehicle (Class I) as of March 2026.
What is the fastest route from Johannesburg to East London?
The N6, N1 is the main and fastest route. The drive covers 962 km and takes about 10 hours 40 minutes in normal traffic.
Can I pay tolls by card on the N6, N1?
Yes. All major toll plazas on the N6, N1 accept contactless tap-and-go card payments — you do not need cash. No e-tag is required; Gauteng e-tolls were scrapped.