How Much Fuel for 5 km?
Medium car (8 L/100km petrol, ~6.8 L/100km diesel equivalent), inland pricing effective 1 April 2026
5 km in South Africa: About the distance of a quick trip to the shops and back.
This page gives you a quick fuel cost answer for 5 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 | 0.3 L | R7.01 | R14.02 |
| Medium car | 8 | 0.4 L | R9.34 | R18.69 |
| Large car / SUV | 10 | 0.5 L | R11.68 | R23.36 |
| Bakkie / truck | 12 | 0.6 L | R14.02 | R28.03 |
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 | 0.3 L | R6.64 | -R0.37 |
| Medium car | 6.8 | 0.3 L | R8.85 | -R0.49 |
| Large car / SUV | 8.5 | 0.4 L | R11.07 | -R0.61 |
| Bakkie / truck | 10.2 | 0.5 L | R13.28 | -R0.74 |
Cost Per Person (Carpooling)
Sharing the fuel cost makes a big difference. Here is what a 5 km petrol trip costs per person in a medium car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drive 5 km?
At current Petrol 95 inland pricing (R23.36/L), a 5 km trip in a medium car using 8 L/100km costs about R9.34 one way and R18.69 return. On diesel it is cheaper - about R8.85 one way.
How many litres of fuel do I need for 5 km?
A medium petrol car using 8 L/100km needs about 0.4 litres for 5 km. A diesel equivalent using roughly 6.8 L/100km needs about 0.3 litres. Small cars need less, while SUVs and bakkies usually need more.
Is petrol or diesel cheaper for a 5 km trip?
Diesel is almost always cheaper per trip. For 5 km in a medium car, diesel saves about R0.49 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 5 km?
Splitting a R9 petrol trip between 2 people costs R5 each, between 3 people R3 each, and between 4 people R2 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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