Official figures — September 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026. Petrol 93 and 95 both rose 134 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 294 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 315 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 213 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 5 August 2026.
Calculating your fuel expenditure before taking a road trip or setting your monthly commuting budget helps you avoid surprises at the petrol pump. The trip cost calculator South Africa tool converts distance, vehicle efficiency, and official fuel prices into a clear, itemized Rand breakdown for any journey across South Africa.
Trip Cost Calculator South Africa tool
Use the interactive calculator below to calculate the fuel cost of your trip instantly. You can adjust the distance, your car’s fuel consumption, current fuel prices, and split costs among passengers.
Inputs needed
To generate an accurate fuel expenditure estimate, you will need five basic figures:
- Trip Distance (km): The total one-way or round-trip mileage of your planned route.
- Fuel Consumption Rate (L/100km): Your vehicle’s average fuel usage per 100 kilometres (or km per litre).
- Fuel Price per Litre (R/l): The current retail pump price per litre for your vehicle’s specific fuel grade.
- Trip Type: Whether the calculation applies to a single one-way trip, a round trip, or repeated daily commuting.
- Passenger Count (Optional): The number of occupants sharing the total travel expense.
Note that all calculator outputs are estimates based on user inputs. Variations in driving style, traffic congestion, vehicle load, and air conditioning usage will impact real-world fuel consumption.
Enter your distance, consumption and fuel price
Entering accurate figures ensures your estimated spend mirrors what you will pay at the filling station.
- Distance: Enter your total distance in kilometres. For example, a travel distance between Johannesburg and Pretoria is roughly 60 km one-way, whereas a long-distance drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town is approximately 1,400 km.
- Consumption: Vehicle fuel efficiency is typically stated in litres per 100 kilometres (L/100km). Small hatchbacks typically average between 5.0 L/100km and 6.5 L/100km, medium sedans and SUVs range between 7.5 L/100km and 9.5 L/100km, while heavy bakkies or high-performance vehicles may consume 11.0 L/100km or more.
- Fuel Price: Input the active pump price in South African Rand per litre (R/l) or cents per litre (c/l). Retail prices differ depending on your location:
- Inland Zone (e.g., Gauteng, Free State, North West): Petrol prices inland carry additional pipeline and rail transport tariffs from coastal ports, making inland petrol higher per litre than at the coast.
- Coastal Zone (e.g., Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape): Coastal filling stations operate without inland transport surcharges.
Current fuel-price assumptions
Retail fuel prices in South Africa are regulated monthly by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) (formerly DMRE) and announced in coordination with the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Official price adjustments take effect on the first Wednesday of every calendar month.
| Fuel Grade | Region / Zone | Pricing Structure | Key Components |
| 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) | Inland & Coastal | Regulated Maximum Retail Price | Basic Fuel Price (BFP), GFL, RAF Levy, Transport Costs |
| 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP) | Inland | Regulated Maximum Retail Price | Formulated for high-altitude inland engines |
| 50ppm Diesel | National Wholesale | Unregulated Retail Margin | Wholesale baseline; station retail markups vary |
| 500ppm Diesel | National Wholesale | Unregulated Retail Margin | Standard industrial/commercial diesel |
Key Price Drivers
- Basic Fuel Price (BFP): Influenced by international crude oil prices (Brent Crude) and international refined petroleum benchmarks.
- Exchange Rate: The strength of the South African Rand (ZAR) against the US Dollar (USD).
- Statutory Levies: Includes the General Fuel Levy (GFL) and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy, which combined make up a substantial fixed tax component per litre.
Disclaimer: Daily CEF over/under-recovery reports serve as preliminary indicators and forecasts. Always verify calculations against official monthly DMPR price schedules.
Worked example
Here is a practical South African travel example to illustrate how distance, consumption, and fuel pricing translate into real costs.
Scenario: A road trip from Johannesburg (Inland) to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
- Distance: 570 km (one-way) / 1,140 km (round trip).
- Vehicle: SUV averaging 8.0 L / 100 km.
- Fuel Used: 95 Unleaded Petrol (Inland baseline example rate: R26.92 / litre).
- Passengers: 4 people sharing costs.
Example calculation
- Calculate Total Fuel Volume Required:$$\text{Litres Needed} = \left(\frac{1,140\text{ km}}{100}\right) \times 8.0\text{ L/100km} = 91.2\text{ Litres}$$
- Calculate Total Trip Fuel Spend:$$\text{Total Spend} = 91.2\text{ Litres} \times \text{R26.92/L} = \text{R2,380.32}$$
- Determine Running Cost Per Kilometre:$$\text{Cost per km} = \frac{\text{R2,380.32}}{1,140\text{ km}} = \text{R2.09 per km}$$
- Split Cost Per Passenger:$$\text{Cost per Person} = \frac{\text{R2,380.32}}{4\text{ passengers}} = \text{R595.08 per person}$$
How the calculation works
Understanding the mathematical model behind trip fuel estimation allows you to adjust parameters for varying vehicle specs or driving conditions.
Formula used
To determine total fuel needed:
$$\text{Fuel Volume (L)} = \left(\frac{\text{Distance (km)}}{100}\right) \times \text{Consumption (L/100km)}$$
To determine total fuel expense:
$$\text{Total Fuel Cost (R)} = \text{Fuel Volume (L)} \times \text{Price per Litre (R/l)}$$
If your vehicle’s trip computer displays fuel economy in kilometres per litre (km/L) rather than L/100km, convert it using this formula:
$$\text{Consumption (L/100km)} = \frac{100}{\text{km/L}}$$
For example, a car yielding 12.5 km/L translates to $\frac{100}{12.5} = 8.0\text{ L/100km}$.
Related calculators and price pages
Explore our full range of South African motoring and fuel budget tools:
Related calculators
- Main Hub: Access our complete suite of fuel calculators South Africa to calculate tank fill-up totals, annual commuter budgets, and diesel vs petrol savings.
- Price Schedules: View current official DMPR inland and coastal retail benchmarks on our petrol price todayprice tracking page.
- Journey Planner: Use our dedicated trip fuel cost calculator to include toll gate fees (SANRAL toll plazas) and multi-leg journey stops.
Frequently asked questions
What inputs does the trip cost calculator South Africa need?
The calculator requires your total journey distance in kilometres, your vehicle’s average fuel consumption rate (L/100km or km/L), and the active fuel pump price in Rand per litre (R/l). You can also toggle between single and round trips or add passenger splits.
Are calculator results exact?
No. Calculator outputs are mathematical estimates based on constant inputs. Real-world fuel economy fluctuates based on driving speed, heavy traffic, hill climbs, passenger luggage load, tyre pressure, and climate control usage.
Should inland and coastal prices be included?
Yes. Inland fuel prices in South Africa are higher than coastal prices due to pipeline and road transport tariffs from coastal refineries to inland depots. Always select or enter the price matching your starting location or route zone.
How can users reduce fuel costs?
You can lower trip fuel spend by maintaining steady highway speeds (around 90–100 km/h), ensuring correct tyre pressures, removing unnecessary roof rack cargo, avoiding rapid acceleration, and combining multiple errands into a single trip.