Winter in South Africa doesn’t mean hibernation; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Most families treat this as the opportune time to take a road trip and take advantage of the cool weather, clear roads, and off-peak travel specials. If anything, there are some of us adventurers who find this time of year most appealing.  

Before you hit the road, it’s worth planning your budget properly… especially when it comes to fuel and toll costs. 

Here is a simple guide to help you estimate your costs and avoid surprises. 

Start With Your Route 

We’re not just talking about knowing where you will be heading towards and which routes offer the best pedestals. This step is also about focusing on the tolls you will encounter along the way, as well as help you to gauge an estimate on the fuel required. These factors may even wind up influencing your destination and the route you’ll take. 

Our Advice? 

✅ Use a route planner like Google Maps, Waze, or the AA’s own trip tool to calculate the distance. 

✅ Make note of toll roads along your chosen path – sometimes a slightly longer route can save you a lot in toll fees. Weigh these against the cost of fuel needed for the longer distances to make the call. 

✅ Factor in detours for sightseeing, overnight stays, or alternative stops. 

Estimate Your Tolls 

South Africa’s national roads include several tolled sections, especially if you’re heading between major cities. Thankfully, this isn’t a game of, “I wonder what this will cost me…” 

As of July 2025, popular routes and their one-way tolls for light vehicles: 

• N1 Johannesburg to Cape Town: ±R340 

• N3 Johannesburg to Durban: ±R300 

• N4 Pretoria to Mbombela (Nelspruit): ±R280 

• N4 Pretoria to Rustenburg: ±R90 

Our Advice? 

✅ Double the amount for a return trip. 

✅ Check SANRAL for the latest prices. 

✅ If you have an e-tag, make sure it’s topped up to avoid manual payment queues and unnecessary idling. 

Calculate The Fuel Cost 

Moving on to the most obvious point, which is that you can then take this information about your route and use it to estimate your fuel cost. 

To do this, you’ll need three numbers, including the total round-trip distance in kilometres, your car’s average fuel consumption (e.g. 6.5L/100km), and of course, the current fuel price. 

Let’s say that the trip is 1,200km return, and your car’s average fuel consumption is 6.5L/100km. With the fuel price sitting at R24.25/L, we can do a little calculation. 

Here’s An Example Calculation: 

• Fuel Needed: (6.5 ÷ 100) × 1,200 = 78L 

• Now The Estimated Cost: 78L × R24.25 = R1,891.50 

Of course, you can avoid all this maths by using our free Fuel Trip Cost Calculator to get an accurate breakdown for your specific trip and car. 

Our Advice? 

✅ Add a 10% buffer for unexpected detours, traffic, or idling. 

Don’t Forget The Extras 

Budgeting for fuel and tolls is key, but there are a few other travel costs are worth considering, too. We’re talking about the snacks and meals on the road, the overnight stays or accommodation if your route is long, not to mention any emergency funds needed for tyre repairs, breakdowns, or medical issues. 

Our Advice? 

✅ Travel with a full tank from a lower-cost area before entering high-priced rural zones. 

✅ Carpool if you can – sharing fuel and toll costs can make a huge difference. 

✅ Stick to the speed limit to improve fuel efficiency. 

✅ Use fuel rewards cards or apps to save a few cents per litre. 

Feeling Informed? 

It is entirely possible to enjoy all the road trip fun, without the financial frostbite. All it takes is a little planning, and you’ll be able to keep your winter road trip warm, wallet-friendly, and worry-free.  

If you’re looking for more practical advice, budget-friendly ideas, and planning tools, like a free Fuel Consumption Calculator and Fuel Trip Cost Calculator then take a few minutes to explore the rest of AA Inform.