Distance from Johannesburg to Rustenburg

By Rand Tools editorial teamUpdated May 2026Verified: SANRAL toll data · DMRE fuel prices

175km via the N4 — about 2h drive. There are 5 mainline toll gates, totalling R85 one-way. Select your vehicle below to calculate the exact fuel and total trip cost.

175 kmDistance
N4Road
2h Drive time
5Toll gates

Toll fees effective 1 March 2026 · Fuel: R25.58/L inland (updated 2026-08-05)

Written by Rand Tools Editorial Team
Updated 1 April 2026

Toll cost

R 84,50

Fuel cost

Select your vehicle below

Total trip cost

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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

QuaggaMagalies Eastern section (Pretoria West)R 6,50
PelindabaMagalies Western sectionR 8,00
DoornpoortPretoria – BritsR 20,00
BritsBrits – MooinooiR 20,00
MarikanaMooinooi – RustenburgR 30,00
Total tollsR 84,50

Return trip: R 169,00 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

VehicleFuel / Elec.Total
Volkswagen PoloR 237,25R 321,75
Volkswagen Golf 8R 286,50R 371,00
Toyota FortunerR 358,12R 442,62
Toyota HiluxR 380,50R 465,00
Ford RangerR 362,60R 447,10
Mercedes-Benz C200R 299,93R 384,43
BMW 3 SeriesR 277,54R 362,04
Volkswagen Golf GTIR 349,17R 433,67
Toyota Corolla CrossR 192,49R 276,99
BMW i4R 87,74R 172,24
BYD Atto 3R 72,56R 157,06
See all 42 vehicles →

How far is Rustenburg from Johannesburg?

The driving distance from Johannesburg to Rustenburg is 175 km along the N4. The trip takes about 2 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: Pretoria, Brits. These are useful waypoints for fuel, food and rest stops.

Distance and drive time refer to the standard driving route via the N4. 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 N4 from Johannesburg to Rustenburg

There are 5 mainline toll gates on the N4 from Johannesburg to Rustenburg, totalling R84.50 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.

PlazaClass I fee
QuaggaR 6.50
PelindabaR 8.00
DoornpoortR 20.00
BritsR 20.00
MarikanaR 30.00
Total (one way)R 84.50

Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Tariffs effective 1 March 2026 · 3.12% SANRAL CPI adjustment

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 Rustenburg trip (175km), 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.

Alternative route: The N14 via Krugersdorp (shorter but partial toll bypass) is a scenic option that avoids some toll plazas but adds travel time. Best for a leisurely trip rather than a quick transfer.

How trip costs are calculated

Fuel cost

Fuel cost is calculated as: (distance ÷ 100) × L/100km × fuel price. For this route (175 km) at the current inland price of R25.58/L, a car using 7L/100km would cost roughly R313 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 5 mainline plazas on the N4 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.

Frequently asked questions

How much are tolls from Johannesburg to Rustenburg?

There are 5 mainline toll plazas on the N4 West — Quagga, Pelindaba, Doornpoort, Brits, and Marikana — totalling R84.50 for a standard car (one way) as of March 2026. The Johannesburg to Pretoria section is toll-free.

How long does it take to drive from Johannesburg to Rustenburg?

Approximately 175km via the N1 to Pretoria and then the N4 West. Expect about 2 hours without stops.

Is there a toll between Johannesburg and Pretoria?

No. The N1 between Johannesburg and Pretoria is completely toll-free. Gauteng e-tolls were permanently scrapped. The N4 West toll plazas only start once you are on the Platinum Highway west of Pretoria.

Can I drive from Johannesburg to Sun City via this route?

Yes. The N4 West through Rustenburg continues to Sun City and Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The toll cost from Johannesburg to Sun City is the same R84.50 on the N4 West.