Fuel Cost Calculator South Africa

Calculate your result

Your estimate will appear here. Enter your values and select Calculate.

Reviewed 2026-10-14Your numbers stay in your browserReport an error

Source: Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources fuel prices

Quick answer

Fuel litres = one-way distance × journeys ÷ 100 × litres per 100 km × (1 + buffer ÷ 100). Fuel cost = litres × price. Cost per km = cost ÷ distance before the buffer. Cost per person = cost ÷ people.

How it works

Use this fuel cost calculator for South Africa to estimate litres, trip cost, cost per km and cost per person from your distance, fuel use and pump price.

Formula

Assumptions and common mistakes

Check units, input values and the method before relying on an estimate. Review the existing tool notes and official sources below.

Quick answer

100 km at 8 L/100 km and R20/litre needs 8 litres and costs R160, or R1.60/km. Two journeys with a 10% fuel allowance need 17.6 litres and cost R352; two people pay R176 each. R20 is an example, not today’s price.

How to use the fuel cost calculator south africa

Enter one-way kilometres and journeys (2 for return). Choose L/100 km or km per litre, enter your measured fuel use, select the fuel grade and enter your pump price and its date. Add a fuel allowance, sharing and repeat trips if needed.

What the result includes

Fuel only: tolls, parking, accommodation and maintenance are excluded. The buffer increases litres; it does not change the physical distance. Weekly repeat counts apply to the complete trip already defined by journeys. Average monthly cost uses 52 ÷ 12 weeks.

How to measure your fuel use

Fill the tank, record kilometres, drive normally and refill. Litres added ÷ kilometres travelled × 100 gives L/100 km. Convert km per litre with 100 ÷ km per litre; 12.5 km/L equals 8 L/100 km.

Petrol and diesel prices

Use the actual price for your required grade and location. Selecting the fuel grade does not load a price. Official diesel schedules describe wholesale prices; your retail pump price may differ.

Related travel calculators

Fuel price sources for South Africa

Frequently asked questions

How does the fuel cost calculator south africa work?

Are the prices in the form current?

No. Sample prices explain the calculation. Replace them with your own dated quote, measurement or current pump price.

When does the result update?

Select Calculate after changing the fields. Copy result and Print let you keep the result. Reset restores the example values.

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Helpful guides

How to Calculate Fuel Cost for a Trip

Estimate trip fuel cost from total distance, real vehicle consumption and the current price per litre.

How to Calculate Fuel Cost per Km

Work out fuel cost per kilometre from measured fuel use and the price per litre. Includes a formula, example and budgeting limits.