Calculate Your Trip Fuel Cost - SA Petrol 95/93 & Diesel Prices 2026
Calculate how much fuel you will need and what it will cost for any trip in South Africa. Enter a custom distance or use a popular route shortcut, choose your vehicle type and fuel, and get an instant cost estimate with current South African fuel prices.
Trip Fuel Cost Calculator
Your Trip Fuel Cost
Common Routes: Fuel Cost Comparison
Estimated fuel costs for popular South African routes using Petrol 95 (Inland) at R26,92/L and 8 L/100km consumption.
| Route | Distance | Litres | One-Way Cost | Return Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joburg to Cape Town | 1,400 km | 112.0 L | R3 015,04 | R6 030,08 |
| Joburg to Durban | 570 km | 45.6 L | R1 227,55 | R2 455,10 |
| Cape Town to Durban | 1,650 km | 132.0 L | R3 553,44 | R7 106,88 |
| Joburg to Pretoria | 60 km | 4.8 L | R129,22 | R258,43 |
| Cape Town to Stellenbosch | 50 km | 4.0 L | R107,68 | R215,36 |
| Joburg to Bloemfontein | 400 km | 32.0 L | R861,44 | R1 722,88 |
| Durban to Pietermaritzburg | 80 km | 6.4 L | R172,29 | R344,58 |
| Pretoria to Polokwane | 300 km | 24.0 L | R646,08 | R1 292,16 |
Current Fuel Prices in South Africa
Fuel prices in South Africa are regulated by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and change on the first Wednesday of each month. The price difference between inland and coastal regions is due to transport costs - fuel arrives at coastal refineries and must be piped or trucked inland, adding to the price. Here are the current prices:
| Fuel Type | Price per Litre |
|---|---|
| Petrol 95 (Inland) | R26,92 |
| Petrol 95 (Coastal) | R26,05 |
| Petrol 93 (Inland) | R26,76 |
| Diesel 50ppm (Inland) | R29,11 |
| Diesel 50ppm (Coastal) | R28,24 |
Fuel Price Breakdown
The price you pay at the pump is made up of several components. A significant portion goes to government levies and taxes rather than the actual cost of fuel. Here is an approximate breakdown of what makes up the price of a litre of petrol in South Africa:
| Component | Description | Approx. c/L |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Fuel Price | Cost of refined fuel | 795c |
| General Fuel Levy | Government tax on fuel. Full levy of 429c/L on petrol reinstated from 1 July 2026 (temporary 150c/L petrol reduction that ran 3 June to 30 June 2026 has ended - official DMRE gazette). | 429c |
| Road Accident Fund Levy | Funds for road accident victims | 218c |
| Customs & Excise | Import duties | 4c |
| Pipeline / Transport | Inland transport cost | 36c |
| Dealer Margin | Retail margin | 267c |
| Other Levies & Margins | Wholesale, storage, slate and related items | 317c |
The General Fuel Levy and Road Accident Fund Levy alone account for over R6 per litre. The basic fuel price (the actual cost of refined fuel) makes up only about 35% of the pump price. This is why South African fuel prices remain high even when international oil prices drop.
Tips to Save Fuel
- Drive at 100-110 km/h on the highway - fuel consumption increases significantly above 120 km/h. Driving at 110 instead of 130 can save 15-20% on fuel.
- Keep tyres properly inflated - under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can add 3-5% to your fuel bill.
- Remove unnecessary weight - every 50 kg of extra weight increases consumption by about 1-2%. Empty the boot before a long trip.
- Use cruise control - maintaining a steady speed is more efficient than constantly accelerating and braking.
- Avoid idling - if you will be stationary for more than 30 seconds, it is more efficient to switch off and restart.
- Service your vehicle regularly - a well-maintained engine, clean air filter, and fresh spark plugs can improve fuel efficiency by up to 10%.
- Plan your route - use navigation apps to avoid traffic and construction. Stop-start traffic uses far more fuel than a flowing highway.
- Fill up at coastal stations if passing through - fuel is approximately 60c per litre cheaper on the coast than inland.
Fuel prices reflect the official adjustment effective 2026-09-02. Actual consumption depends on driving style, road conditions, vehicle condition, load, and weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drive from Joburg to Cape Town?
The fuel cost to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town (approximately 1,400 km) depends on your vehicle and fuel type. A medium car using 8 L/100km on Petrol 95 Inland at R26.92/L would use about 112 litres and cost approximately R3 015 one way, or R6 030 for a return trip. A more fuel-efficient small car at 6 L/100km would cost about R2 261 one way.
What is the current petrol price?
As of 2026-09-02, Petrol 95 (Inland) is R26.92 per litre, Petrol 95 (Coastal) is R26.05/L, Petrol 93 (Inland) is R26.76/L, and Diesel 50ppm is R29.11/L inland and R28.24/L coastal. Fuel prices in South Africa are adjusted monthly by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
How do I calculate fuel cost for a trip?
To calculate fuel cost: (1) Divide the trip distance in km by 100. (2) Multiply by your vehicle's fuel consumption in L/100km. This gives you the litres needed. (3) Multiply litres by the current fuel price per litre. For example, a 500 km trip in a car that uses 8 L/100km: 500 / 100 x 8 = 40 litres. At R26.92/L, the cost is R1076.80.
Why are fuel prices different inland vs coastal?
Fuel is cheaper on the coast because South Africa's refineries and fuel import terminals are located at the coast (mainly Durban and Cape Town). Transporting fuel inland via pipeline and road adds cost - this transport differential is approximately 60 cents per litre. The inland price also includes a pipeline levy and higher distribution margins.
How much does it cost to drive from Joburg to Durban?
Driving from Johannesburg to Durban is approximately 570 km. A medium car using 8 L/100km on Petrol 95 Inland at R26.92/L would need about 45.6 litres and cost roughly R1 228 one way, or R2 456 for a return trip. Diesel vehicles would cost less due to lower fuel prices and generally better highway consumption.
What uses more fuel - petrol or diesel?
Diesel vehicles typically use 15-25% less fuel per kilometre than equivalent petrol vehicles, especially on highways. Diesel engines are more thermally efficient and produce more torque at lower RPMs. Combined with diesel being cheaper per litre (approximately R29.11 vs R26.92 inland), diesel vehicles are significantly cheaper to run on long trips.
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