How Much Fuel for 500 km?
Coastal fuel is roughly 80c/L cheaper than inland - if your trip starts or refuels along the coast, switch the toggle for an accurate cost.
Medium car (8 L/100km petrol, ~6.8 L/100km diesel equivalent), inland pricing effective 3 June 2026
500 km in South Africa: About the distance from Joburg to Bloemfontein and a bit further, or Durban to East London.
This page gives you a quick fuel cost answer for 500 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 | 30.0 L | R841.80 | R1683.60 |
| Medium car | 8 | 40.0 L | R1122.40 | R2244.80 |
| Large car / SUV | 10 | 50.0 L | R1403.00 | R2806.00 |
| Bakkie / truck | 12 | 60.0 L | R1683.60 | R3367.20 |
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 | 25.5 L | R711.96 | -R129.84 |
| Medium car | 6.8 | 34.0 L | R949.28 | -R173.12 |
| Large car / SUV | 8.5 | 42.5 L | R1186.60 | -R216.40 |
| Bakkie / truck | 10.2 | 51.0 L | R1423.92 | -R259.68 |
Cost Per Person (Carpooling)
Sharing the fuel cost makes a big difference. Here is what a 500 km petrol trip costs per person in a medium car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drive 500 km?
At current Petrol 95 inland pricing (R28.06/L), a 500 km trip in a medium car using 8 L/100km costs about R1122.40 one way and R2244.80 return. On diesel it is cheaper - about R949.28 one way. At the coast (Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth), petrol drops to R27.19/L, so the same trip is about R1087.60.
How many litres of fuel do I need for 500 km?
A medium petrol car using 8 L/100km needs about 40.0 litres for 500 km. A diesel equivalent using roughly 6.8 L/100km needs about 34.0 litres. Small cars need less, while SUVs and bakkies usually need more.
Is petrol cheaper at the coast?
Yes. Petrol 95 is roughly 80c per litre cheaper at the coast than inland (R27.19 vs R28.06/L). Diesel is also cheaper at the coast (R27.37 vs R27.92/L). The difference is the inland transport differential - fuel arrives at coastal refineries and is piped or trucked inland. For a 500 km trip in a medium petrol car, that saves about R34.80.
Is petrol or diesel cheaper for a 500 km trip?
Diesel is almost always cheaper per trip. For 500 km in a medium car, diesel saves about R173.12 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 500 km?
Splitting a R1122 petrol trip between 2 people costs R561 each, between 3 people R374 each, and between 4 people R281 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 3 June 2026, with Petrol 95 and Diesel 50ppm prices for both inland and coastal regions.
Want to change the fuel type, use your own L/100km, or test a different distance?
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