Tugela Toll Plaza
Also known as: Tugela Toll Gate / Van Reenen's Pass toll
N3 · Johannesburg – Durban · N3 Toll Concession (N3TC)
Fees effective 1 March 2026 (SANRAL 3.12% CPI adjustment) · Class I = standard light vehicle / bakkie / SUV
R100.00
Class I fee (light vehicle)
N3
Road
N3TC
Operator
Tugela Toll Plaza is the third and most expensive mainline toll on the N3, positioned approximately 310 km from Johannesburg near the top of Van Reenen's Pass — the dramatic Drakensberg crossing that marks the provincial boundary between the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. At R100.00 for a Class I vehicle, it is the single costliest plaza on the N3 corridor. The Tugela River, South Africa's second longest, has its source near this pass.
Tugela Toll Plaza fees 2026
All fees include VAT. Effective 1 March 2026 — SANRAL 3.12% CPI adjustment.
| Vehicle class | Fee |
|---|---|
| Class I | R 100.00 |
| Class II | R 165.00 |
| Class III | R 260.00 |
| Class IV | R 359.00 |
Source: foresightpublications.co.za · Operator: N3 Toll Concession (N3TC)
Location
On the N3, approximately 310 km from Johannesburg, near Van Reenen's Pass. Open in OpenStreetMap ↗
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Marker shows approximate plaza position on the N3 near Van Reenen / Harrismith.
About Tugela Toll Plaza
Van Reenen's Pass is one of South Africa's most strategically important mountain crossings, used for centuries by traders, settlers, and transport operators moving between the highveld interior and the KwaZulu-Natal coast. The pass reaches an altitude of about 1,640 metres and can be closed during severe winter snowstorms, making N3TC's real-time traffic updates essential for travellers. The Tugela River rises near the pass in the Drakensberg and flows eastward 502 km to the Indian Ocean. The ramp plaza at Tugela East (R62) applies to traffic taking exits toward Harrismith and Ladysmith — it does not apply to through traffic on the N3 mainline.
Routes through Tugela Toll Plaza
Calculate your exact fuel + toll cost for your vehicle on routes that pass this plaza.
All N3 toll gates
See every mainline plaza on the N3 with fees, km marks, and route calculators.
N3 toll road guide →Frequently asked questions
How much is the Tugela Toll Plaza fee in 2026?
The Tugela Toll Plaza Class I fee (standard light vehicle, bakkie, SUV, or motorcycle) is R100.00 as of 1 March 2026. Class II is R165.00, Class III is R260.00, and Class IV is R359.00.
Where is the Tugela Toll Plaza located?
On the N3, approximately 310 km from Johannesburg, near Van Reenen's Pass. It operates on the N3 between Warden – Frere (Van Reenen's Pass).
Who operates the Tugela Toll Plaza?
Tugela Toll Plaza is operated by N3 Toll Concession (N3TC). SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited) is the state-owned entity responsible for South Africa's national road network under the National Roads Act (Act No. 7, 1998).
Can I pay by card at the Tugela Toll Plaza?
Yes. All South African toll plazas accept contactless debit and credit card payments (tap-and-go). Cash is also accepted. The Gauteng e-toll system has been abolished — no e-tag is required at any mainline toll plaza.
When were the Tugela Toll Plaza fees last updated?
Fees were last updated on 1 March 2026 as part of SANRAL's annual CPI-linked tariff adjustment of 3.12%. Toll fees are typically revised each year on 1 March.
Fees verified from: foresightpublications.co.za — effective 1 March 2026. Fuel prices used in route calculators: R23.36/L inland 95 ULP (updated 2026-04-01).
Plaza map shows the approximate location on the N3. Not intended for navigation.