Toll Gates from Johannesburg to Durban
The N3 highway, which winds down through South Africa, connecting Johannesburg and Durban is a popular route for those travelling in and out of KwaZulu-Natal. Lined with several convenience stops and petrol stations, the N3 also contains a number of toll gates. Although the route itself is free to drive, a variety of fees must be paid when passing through each of the three toll gates on the route.
What is a Toll Gate?
A toll gate is a type of user fee that requires motorists to pay for the use of a section of the road. They are often used to finance the construction, maintenance and repairs of roads, ensuring that highways remain well-maintained and safe to travel on.
Toll Gates on the N3
When travelling between Johannesburg and Durban, be sure to keep an eye out for these three toll gates:
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- Athlone Toll Plaza: This toll gate is located almost halfway between Johannesburg and Durban, at the Victoria West turn-off.
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- Mooi River Toll Plaza: This toll gate is the second stop and can be found between Mooi River and Howick.
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- Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Toll Plaza: This toll gate is the final stop on the N3, and is located close to Estcourt.
Regardless of which toll gate you are passing through, there are several payment methods available, including cash and credit/debit cards. It is important to note that you need to have the correct change when paying by cash.
As lockdown restrictions wind down, more people are going on weekend getaways.
It might sound easy and straightforward to jump in a car and drive to your favourite destination, but it has more costs involved than what meets the eye.
For example, nationwide toll and e-toll prices have just been raised – along with an expected increase in petrol prices on the horizon.
This comes after a 2020 rise in toll prices, and petrol prices creeping up in recent months.
To see how much you should budget, we planned a hypothetical trip below.
The route
A popular route for South African holiday-goers is the one between Johannesburg and Durban – which is about 570km long.
The drive includes five toll gates, and the Gauteng province sees four additional e-tolls as part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).
In total, you will drive through 10 toll gates and eight e-tolls on your way to and from Durban.
The car
For our vehicle, we chose the VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline – the best-selling passenger vehicle in South Africa in 2020, according to the NAAMSA report.
It has a 1.4-litre petrol engine that produces 55kW, and it achieves a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.7l/100km.
Using this figure, we use 32.49 litres of petrol one way – and roughly 65 litres of petrol for the whole trip.
Conclusion
When travelling on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban, be sure to keep an eye out for the three toll gates you’ll need to pass through. Even if you have a prepaid account, be aware that you may have to pay the applicable toll fees in cash. Always be prepared with the exact amount of money for each toll gate for a hassle-free journey. When it comes to travelling from Johannesburg to Durban, one of the most common questions people ask is: how many toll gates are there along this route? The answer to this question is simple: there are three toll gates along the N3 route between Johannesburg and Durban.
Each toll gate along the N3 charges a fee, which has been put in place to help cover the costs of maintenance and construction along the highway. The three toll gates are located at Alto Descroso, Van Reenen, and Cedara. The total distance between Johannesburg and Durban is approximately 570 kilometres, and the toll charges are divided accordingly: the Alto Descroso gate is the most expensive and charges R134.00, the Van Reenen toll is R104.00, and the Cedara gate is the least expensive at R55.00.
The toll gates are operated by a company called Sanral E-Toll, who is assigned by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL). Sanral E-Toll offers an e-tag system that enables drivers to pay their tolls in a more convenient and efficient manner. The e-tag system allows registered customers to make toll payments from a prepaid account.
It should be noted that the N3 route is not the only route available when travelling from Johannesburg to Durban. Alternative routes are also available for those looking to avoid toll gates, however these routes tend to take a little longer and may not be as pleasant.
In conclusion, there are three toll gates located along the N3 route between Johannesburg and Durban, each of which charges a specific fee. For those looking to pay their tolls in a more convenient manner, the Sanral E-Toll system allows registered customers to use the e-tag system.
