How Much Fuel for 1000 km?
Medium car (8 L/100km petrol, ~6.8 L/100km diesel equivalent), inland pricing effective 1 April 2026
1000 km in South Africa: Roughly Joburg to Durban return, or Cape Town to Port Elizabeth one way.
This page gives you a quick fuel cost answer for 1000 km using current South African pricing. The tables below compare the cost across vehicle sizes and between petrol and diesel so you can see the full picture.
Petrol Cost by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle | L/100km | Litres | One Way | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car | 6 | 60.0 L | R1401.60 | R2803.20 |
| Medium car | 8 | 80.0 L | R1868.80 | R3737.60 |
| Large car / SUV | 10 | 100.0 L | R2336.00 | R4672.00 |
| Bakkie / truck | 12 | 120.0 L | R2803.20 | R5606.40 |
Diesel Cost by Vehicle Type
Diesel vehicles typically use about 15% less fuel than petrol equivalents, and diesel is cheaper per litre. The combination makes a noticeable difference on longer trips.
| Vehicle | L/100km | Litres | One Way | Saving vs Petrol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car | 5.1 | 51.0 L | R1328.04 | -R73.56 |
| Medium car | 6.8 | 68.0 L | R1770.72 | -R98.08 |
| Large car / SUV | 8.5 | 85.0 L | R2213.40 | -R122.60 |
| Bakkie / truck | 10.2 | 102.0 L | R2656.08 | -R147.12 |
Cost Per Person (Carpooling)
Sharing the fuel cost makes a big difference. Here is what a 1000 km petrol trip costs per person in a medium car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drive 1000 km?
At current Petrol 95 inland pricing (R23.36/L), a 1000 km trip in a medium car using 8 L/100km costs about R1868.80 one way and R3737.60 return. On diesel it is cheaper - about R1770.72 one way.
How many litres of fuel do I need for 1000 km?
A medium petrol car using 8 L/100km needs about 80.0 litres for 1000 km. A diesel equivalent using roughly 6.8 L/100km needs about 68.0 litres. Small cars need less, while SUVs and bakkies usually need more.
Is petrol or diesel cheaper for a 1000 km trip?
Diesel is almost always cheaper per trip. For 1000 km in a medium car, diesel saves about R98.08 one way compared to petrol - because diesel vehicles use less fuel and diesel itself costs less per litre.
How much does it cost per person if I carpool 1000 km?
Splitting a R1869 petrol trip between 2 people costs R934 each, between 3 people R623 each, and between 4 people R467 each. Carpooling is one of the easiest ways to cut fuel costs in South Africa.
Is this based on current South African fuel prices?
Yes. This page uses fuel pricing effective 1 April 2026, with Petrol 95 inland and Diesel 50ppm inland as benchmarks.
Want to change the fuel type, use your own L/100km, or test a different distance?
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