South Africa Toll Roads Complete Guide: e-Tag, Rates and Payment 2026
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South Africa Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: Barrier tolls (cash + e-Tag) on national highways; Gauteng open-road e-tolls permanently abolished (2022)
Operators: SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency), N3TC, TRAC, Bakwena, and other PPP concessionaires
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Coverage: ~30 toll plazas on national routes N1, N2, N3, N4, N12, N14, N17
Technology: e-Tag RFID transponders, ANPR cameras, manual cash lanes
Are Gauteng e-Tolls Still Active? 2026 Update
No. The Gauteng Open Road Tolling (ORT) e-toll system on Gauteng freeways was officially abolished by the South African government. In 2022, Cabinet announced the discontinuation of the system, and in 2023 the outstanding debt of approximately R12.9 billion was formally written off. SANRAL's e-toll gantries on the Gauteng Urban Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) network are no longer operational.
What remains: Traditional barrier toll plazas on inter-urban national routes are still fully operational across South Africa. If you are driving between cities — Johannesburg to Durban, Cape Town to George, Pretoria to Maputo — you will encounter and must pay these plazas.
2026 update: SANRAL implements annual tariff adjustments on concession and agency toll roads, typically in line with CPI plus a fixed escalator. The increases effective April 2025 and April 2026 have raised rates by approximately 7–9% year-on-year. Always check plaza-specific rates before a long journey.
South Africa Toll Costs: Current Rates
South Africa uses vehicle classification by number of axles and gross vehicle mass (GVM). The five main classes are:
- Class A (Class 1): Light motor vehicles — cars, minibuses, bakkies up to 3,500 kg GVM, 2 axles
- Class B (Class 2): Medium vehicles — 2 axles, GVM 3,501–16,000 kg
- Class C (Class 3): Heavy vehicles — 3 axles, GVM over 16,000 kg
- Class D (Class 4): Extra-heavy vehicles — 4 axles
- Class E (Class 5+): Super-heavy combinations — 5 or more axles
N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) and Bakwena — Concessionaire Plazas
The N3TC (Johannesburg–Durban) and Bakwena (N1 North / N14) are private concessionaires who publish their own annual tariff schedules separately from the SANRAL gazette. Their increases typically track SANRAL's CPI-linked escalator. Key points for 2026:
- N3TC operates the Heidelberg, Villiers, Harrismith, Mooi River, Bergville, Tugela, and Mariannhill sections of the Johannesburg–Durban N3 corridor. For current per-plaza rates visit n3tc.co.za.
- Bakwena operates Brakfontein, Carousel, Maubane, and Hartbeespoort on the N1 North and N14. For current rates visit bakwena.co.za.
- Both concessionaires accept the SANRAL e-Tag for payment, and e-Tag holders receive a 15% discount at Bakwena plazas.
- Note: Some N3 plazas (Mariannhill, Mooi, Tugela, Wilge, De Hoek) are SANRAL-managed and appear in the official gazette table below — those rates are exact 2026 figures.
SANRAL Agency Toll Plazas — Official Rates from 1 March 2026
The following rates are taken directly from the official SANRAL tariff gazette effective 1 March 2026 (Government Gazette Nos. 54087 and 54088). All rates include VAT. SANRAL uses four classes: Class 1 (light vehicles, motorcycles), Class 2 (2-axle heavy, e.g. minibus/bus), Class 3 (3-axle heavy), Class 4 (4+ axle extra-heavy combinations).
N1 — Johannesburg to Cape Town (mainline plazas)
| Plaza | Class 1 (light) | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere (N1, south of Jhb) | R 27.50 | R 82.00 | R 96.00 | R 126.00 |
| Vaal (N1, Free State) | R 91.50 | R 172.00 | R 207.00 | R 275.00 |
| Verkeerdevlei (N1, Free State) | R 78.50 | R 157.00 | R 236.00 | R 331.00 |
| Huguenot Tunnel (N1, Western Cape) | R 54.50 | R 151.00 | R 236.00 | R 383.00 |
| Jhb–Cape Town total (4 plazas, est.) | R 252.00 | R 562.00 | R 775.00 | R 1,115.00 |
N1 North — Johannesburg to Limpopo (mainline plazas)
| Plaza | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumulani (N1, Pretoria North) | R 16.50 | R 41.00 | R 47.00 | R 57.00 |
| Carousel (N1, Bela-Bela approach) | R 75.00 | R 202.00 | R 224.00 | R 258.00 |
| Kranskop (N1, Limpopo) | R 61.50 | R 157.00 | R 210.00 | R 257.00 |
| Nyl (N1, Modimolle area) | R 79.50 | R 149.00 | R 180.00 | R 241.00 |
| Capricorn (N1, Polokwane area) | R 63.50 | R 175.00 | R 205.00 | R 256.00 |
| Baobab (N1, towards Beit Bridge) | R 61.50 | R 168.00 | R 231.00 | R 278.00 |
N2 — KwaZulu-Natal North Coast (mainline plazas)
| Plaza | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsitsikamma (N2, Garden Route) | R 73.00 | R 183.00 | R 438.00 | R 619.00 |
| Oribi (N2, Port Shepstone area) | R 41.00 | R 73.00 | R 100.00 | R 162.00 |
| Mvoti (N2, north of Ballito) | R 18.50 | R 52.00 | R 70.00 | R 104.00 |
| Mtunzini (N2, north of Richards Bay) | R 63.50 | R 122.00 | R 146.00 | R 217.00 |
| oThongathi / Tongaat (N2) | R 15.50 | R 32.00 | R 42.00 | R 62.00 |
N3 — SANRAL-managed plazas (Johannesburg to Durban, mainline)
| Plaza | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mariannhill (N3, Durban area) | R 16.50 | R 30.00 | R 37.00 | R 57.00 |
| Mooi (N3, Mooi River) | R 70.00 | R 171.00 | R 240.00 | R 324.00 |
| Tugela (N3, Free State/KZN border) | R 100.00 | R 165.00 | R 260.00 | R 359.00 |
| Wilge (N3, Free State) | R 94.00 | R 161.00 | R 215.00 | R 304.00 |
| De Hoek (N3, Gauteng/Free State) | R 67.00 | R 105.00 | R 160.00 | R 230.00 |
N4 East — Pretoria to Mozambique Border (mainline plazas, SANRAL-managed)
| Plaza | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Hill (N4 East) | R 51.00 | R 70.00 | R 133.00 | R 220.00 |
| Middelburg (N4 East) | R 84.00 | R 182.00 | R 277.00 | R 365.00 |
| Machadodorp (N4 East) — most expensive plaza in SA | R 126.00 | R 350.00 | R 510.00 | R 729.00 |
| Nkomazi (N4 East, near Lebombo border) | R 95.00 | R 193.00 | R 281.00 | R 405.00 |
N4 West — Pretoria to Botswana and N17 (selected plazas)
| Plaza | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doornpoort (N4 West, Pretoria) | R 20.00 | R 50.00 | R 58.00 | R 70.00 |
| Brits (N4 West) | R 20.00 | R 70.00 | R 77.00 | R 90.00 |
| Swartruggens (N4 West, North West) | R 103.00 | R 258.00 | R 313.00 | R 368.00 |
| Gosforth (N17, East of Jhb) | R 17.00 | R 46.00 | R 50.00 | R 69.00 |
| Ermelo (N17) | R 45.00 | R 114.00 | R 170.00 | R 226.00 |
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types across South African national routes, use the TollGuru South Africa toll calculator:
How to Pay South African Tolls
All barrier toll plazas accept the following payment methods:
1. e-Tag (Recommended):
- RFID transponder mounted on the windscreen; works across SANRAL, N3TC, Bakwena, and TRAC plazas
- 15% discount on cash rates at most concession plazas; no discount surcharge on SANRAL agency roads
- Available from SANRAL offices, selected banks, and online via the e-NATIS/SANRAL portal
- Account requires a South African ID or passport; pre-paid and post-paid options available
2. Cash:
- Accepted at all plazas; dedicated cash lanes are staffed 24 hours
- South African Rand (ZAR) only; exact change is not required but speeds processing
3. Credit and Debit Cards:
- Accepted at most major concession plazas (N3TC, Bakwena, TRAC); availability varies at SANRAL agency plazas
- Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; Amex acceptance is limited
4. Foreign Vehicles:
- No cross-border transponder compatibility with Mozambique, Zimbabwe, or other neighbours
- Rental vehicles from South African agencies are generally pre-fitted with e-Tags; confirm with your rental company
- Cash or card payment is straightforward for visitors without an e-Tag account
Enforcement and Penalties
All barrier toll plazas require payment before the boom gate will open. There is no drive-through-and-pay-later option at physical barrier plazas — vehicles must stop and pay.
Barrier avoidance: Deliberately driving through a barrier without paying is a criminal offence under the South African National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act (Act 7 of 1998). Penalties include fines and potential criminal charges.
e-Tag accounts in arrears: Vehicles with negative e-Tag balances may be flagged at plazas and redirected to staffed lanes for cash payment.
Huguenot Tunnel: Special enforcement applies; non-payment at this SANRAL facility triggers an immediate administrative penalty in addition to the outstanding toll.
Recent Changes (2026)
Gauteng e-toll abolishment — final chapter:
- The R12.9 billion GFIP e-toll debt was formally written off by Treasury in 2023. As of 2026, SANRAL is focused on maintaining the Gauteng freeway infrastructure through fuel levies and general fiscus funding rather than user fees on those routes.
- SANRAL's gantries on the GFIP network are decommissioned; no billing occurs on Gauteng urban freeways.
Annual tariff increase effective 1 March 2026:
- SANRAL implemented a 3.12% increase on all agency-managed toll plazas from 1 March 2026, per Government Gazette Nos. 54087 and 54088. This is below 2025's headline CPI of 3.2% and lower than the 4.85% increase applied in 2025.
- The most expensive single plaza in South Africa remains Machadodorp on the N4 East at R 126.00 for Class 1 vehicles (up from R 122 in 2025); Class 4 extra-heavy vehicles pay R 729.00.
- The second most expensive is Swartruggens on the N4 West at R 103.00 for Class 1.
- Concessionaire plazas (N3TC, Bakwena, TRAC) apply their own annual escalators under the terms of their concession agreements.
N2 Wild Coast Toll Highway:
- The N2 Wild Coast Road project (connecting East London to Durban via a new alignment through the Eastern Cape Wild Coast) remains under construction as of 2026. Sections are being built as a toll road PPP; no tolling of the new sections has commenced yet.
e-Tag digital account improvements:
- SANRAL launched an updated self-service portal in 2025 allowing e-Tag top-ups via major banking apps and EFT
- Real-time balance SMS notifications introduced across all concession partners
Planning Your Journey
Typical inter-city toll costs (Class 1 light vehicle, 2026 gazette rates):
- Johannesburg to Durban (N3, SANRAL plazas): R 347.50 one way (Mariannhill R 16.50 + Mooi R 70 + Tugela R 100 + Wilge R 94 + De Hoek R 67)
- Johannesburg to Cape Town (N1): R 252.00 one way (Grasmere R 27.50 + Vaal R 91.50 + Verkeerdevlei R 78.50 + Huguenot R 54.50)
- Johannesburg to Polokwane (N1 North): R 232.50 one way (Pumulani R 16.50 + Carousel R 75 + Kranskop R 61.50 + Nyl R 79.50)
- Pretoria to Mozambique border (N4 East, SANRAL plazas): R 356.00 one way (Diamond Hill R 51 + Middelburg R 84 + Machadodorp R 126 + Nkomazi R 95)
- Pretoria to Botswana border (N4 West): R 143.00 one way (Doornpoort R 20 + Brits R 20 + Swartruggens R 103)
Saving money:
- An e-Tag saves approximately 15% at concession plazas — on a Johannesburg–Durban return trip that is R 70–80 in savings per vehicle
- Motorcycles are classified as Class A at most plazas and pay the same rate as cars
- Certain older vehicles, agricultural vehicles, and emergency services are exempt at SANRAL agency plazas; exemptions vary by concession
Peak travel advice:
- Toll plazas do not apply peak/off-peak pricing — rates are flat 24/7
- Queues at popular plazas (Heidelberg, Mariannhill) can be significant on school holiday Fridays; e-Tag lanes move faster
- The N3 Johannesburg–Durban route sees extreme congestion over Easter, school holidays, and December/January
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Gauteng e-tolls still active in 2026?
No. The Gauteng Open Road Tolling system was discontinued by Cabinet in 2022 and the full debt written off in 2023. Urban Gauteng freeways (N1, N3, N12, N14, R21 corridors within Gauteng) are now toll-free. Barrier plazas on the same routes outside Gauteng's urban boundary are still operational.
Do I need an e-Tag as a foreign visitor?
No. All barrier plazas accept cash (ZAR) and most accept credit/debit cards. An e-Tag is useful if you are visiting regularly or doing a long road trip, but casual visitors can pay cash at every plaza without any penalty or surcharge — you simply will not receive the 15% e-Tag discount.
Can I use my rental car's e-Tag on all toll roads?
Most South African car rental companies (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, First Car Rental) pre-fit vehicles with e-Tags and charge an administrative fee of R 50–80 per day (or per-trip) in addition to the actual toll costs. Confirm the arrangement and any daily caps with your rental company before departing.
How do truck toll rates compare to car rates?
Heavy vehicles pay proportionally more. Using the 2026 SANRAL gazette, a Class 4 extra-heavy vehicle on the N3 (SANRAL-managed plazas only) pays R 57 + R 324 + R 359 + R 304 + R 230 = R 1,274 one way on those five plazas alone, excluding any N3TC concessionaire plazas.
What is the Huguenot Tunnel toll and is there an alternative?
The Huguenot Tunnel (N1 between Paarl and Worcester) charges R 54.50 for Class 1 vehicles in 2026 per the official SANRAL gazette. Class 4 extra-heavy vehicles pay R 383.00. The alternative is the free Du Toitskloof Pass, which is significantly steeper and slower but avoids the toll. In good weather, the pass takes about 20–30 minutes longer.
Are toll roads in South Africa safe to drive at night?
All SANRAL and concession toll plazas are manned 24 hours and are generally well-lit and safe stopping points. However, night driving on remote sections of the N1 (Karoo), N2 (Eastern Cape), and N4 (towards the Mozambique border) carries elevated risk from livestock on the road and limited roadside assistance. Plan fuel and rest stops in daylight where possible on long inter-city drives.
South Africa vs. Neighbouring Countries
| Country | System Type | Typical Cost (Class A) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Barrier tolls; e-Tag (Gauteng ORT abolished) | R 22–78 per plaza | ~30 plazas on national routes |
| Nigeria | Barrier tolls; cash dominant | NGN 200–500 per plaza | Federal highway plazas |
| Kenya | Electronic expressway tolling | KES 100–400 per trip | Nairobi Expressway (limited) |
| Tanzania | Barrier tolls; cash | TZS 3,000–5,000 per plaza | Selected national routes |
| Ghana | Barrier tolls; cash | GHS 1–5 per plaza | Major highway plazas |
| Egypt | Barrier tolls; expanding electronic | EGP 5–30 per plaza | Desert highways, Ring Roads |
| Morocco | Motorway barrier tolls; e-payment | MAD 10–35 per plaza | ADM motorway network |
Official Resources
- SANRAL — South African National Roads Agency — tolling authority, e-Tag accounts, plaza information
- N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) — Johannesburg–Durban N3 corridor rates and operations
- TRAC Trans African Concessions — N4 Maputo Corridor toll rates and services
- Bakwena Platinum Corridor — N1 North and N14 toll information
