How Much Fuel for 500 km?
Medium car (8 L/100km petrol, ~6.8 L/100km diesel equivalent), inland pricing effective 1 April 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 | R700.80 | R1401.60 |
| Medium car | 8 | 40.0 L | R934.40 | R1868.80 |
| Large car / SUV | 10 | 50.0 L | R1168.00 | R2336.00 |
| Bakkie / truck | 12 | 60.0 L | R1401.60 | R2803.20 |
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 | R664.02 | -R36.78 |
| Medium car | 6.8 | 34.0 L | R885.36 | -R49.04 |
| Large car / SUV | 8.5 | 42.5 L | R1106.70 | -R61.30 |
| Bakkie / truck | 10.2 | 51.0 L | R1328.04 | -R73.56 |
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 (R23.36/L), a 500 km trip in a medium car using 8 L/100km costs about R934.40 one way and R1868.80 return. On diesel it is cheaper - about R885.36 one way.
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 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 R49.04 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 R934 petrol trip between 2 people costs R467 each, between 3 people R311 each, and between 4 people R234 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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