Toll Gates in South Africa See New Payment Update

Behind South Africa’s Toll Gates Payment Rollout

SANRAL, the South African National Roads Agency, has confirmed that thirty of its toll plazas will be upgraded with contactless payment terminals. The rollout begins in late 2025 and is expected to be completed by December of the same year. However, some concessionaires (N3TC, TRAC N4) already rolled out contactless payments in late 2024. Bakwena is still scheduled for late 2025.

Concessionaires operating key stretches, such as the N3 Toll Concession between Johannesburg and Durban and the N4 Toll Route Concession towards Mozambique, have already gone live with tap-and-go systems since 2024.
The Bakwena concession, which manages fifteen toll gates on the N1 from Pretoria towards Limpopo and the N4 between Pretoria and Swartruggens, is also preparing to launch its contactless service by the final quarter of 2025. This means that within a year, most of South Africa’s busiest toll routes will be upgraded.

The move has been influenced by new banking rules phasing out magnetic stripe cards, which are vulnerable to skimming and fraud. Tap-to-pay transactions, whether through debit and credit cards or digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, offer better security while reducing queues and cash handling. 

Not every card will be supported — for example, American Express, Diners Club, and RCS are excluded — but the majority of bank cards in South Africa will work seamlessly.

Current Toll Gate Prices in South Africa

Toll fees are calculated based on route, distance, and vehicle class. Passenger vehicles generally pay less than heavy trucks, but costs can add up during long trips.

• N3 (Johannesburg–Durban): Light vehicles pay roughly R20 to R347, depending on the toll plaza.
• N1 (Pretoria–Limpopo): Light vehicle tolls range from R65 to R100+ per plaza.
• N4 (Pretoria–Nelspruit): Similar pricing to the N1.

These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation and operational costs, so it’s always worth checking the SANRAL website or the relevant concessionaire before heading out. A good rule of thumb is to budget extra for toll gates when planning road trips.

How Many Toll Gates on Major Routes?

One of the most common questions among travellers is how many toll gates they’ll face on long journeys. Between Johannesburg and Durban on the N3, the number usually falls between six and eight, depending on your starting point. All of these plazas already support contactless payments thanks to the N3 Toll Concession’s upgrades.

For those heading north, the route from Johannesburg to Limpopo, or Pretoria to Limpopo via the N1, includes around four to six toll gates. The exact number depends on where in Limpopo you’re travelling, but most of these gates are included in SANRAL’s upgrade plans or fall under concessionaires currently rolling out the new system.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many toll gates from Johannesburg to Durban?

There are a number of toll gates between Johannesburg and Durban, all of which now support tap-and-go payments.

There are five major toll gates along the N3 route from Johannesburg to Durban: De Hoek, Wilge, Tugela, Mooi River, and Mariannhill. 

Toll Gates on the N3 Route: De Hoek Toll Plaza: in Gauteng Wilge Toll Plaza: in the Free State Tugela Toll Plaza: in KwaZulu-Natal Mooi River Toll Plaza: in KwaZulu-Natal Mariannhill Toll Plaza: in KwaZulu-Natal

2. How many toll gates from Johannesburg to Limpopo?

The route depends on your entry point, but typically motorists pass between four to five toll gates on the N1 to Limpopo.

The N1 Toll Route between Johannesburg and Limpopo is managed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). As of March 1, 2025, the mainline toll plazas along this route are:

1. Pumulani (Gauteng)
2. Carousel (Gauteng)
3. Kranskop (Limpopo)
4. Nyl (Limpopo)

These four toll plazas are strategically located along the route. Additionally, there are ramp toll plazas at Wallmansthal, Murrayhill, Hammanskraal, Maubane, Sebetiela, Capricorn, and Baobab, which are used for specific entry and exit points but are not part of the mainline tolls.

3. How many toll gates from Pretoria to Limpopo?

Travelling from Pretoria to Limpopo via the N1, you’ll encounter about four to six toll gates, depending on your exact destination.

The N1 Toll Route between Pretoria and Polokwane is managed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and the Bakwena Concessionaire. As of March 1, 2025, the mainline toll plazas along this route are:

1. Pumulani (Gauteng)
2. Carousel (Gauteng)
3. Kranskop (Limpopo)
4. Capricorn (Limpopo)

These four toll plazas are strategically located along the route. Additionally, there are ramp toll plazas at Wallmannsthal, Murrayhill, Hammanskraal, Maubane, Sebetiela, and Baobab, which are used for specific entry and exit points but are not part of the mainline tolls. 

4. What are the toll gate prices in South Africa?

Toll gate prices vary depending on the route and vehicle type. For example, toll gates on the N1 north of Pretoria can range from R65 to over R100 per stop for light vehicles. It’s always best to check SANRAL or concessionaire websites for updated fees.

If you really want to get the full details, you can find the updated toll gate fees per province here: Toll Tariffs in South Africa. 

Why the Payment Update Matters

The new tap-to-pay system goes beyond convenience:

• Reduces waiting times, especially during busy holiday periods.
• Improves safety, by reducing cash handling and eliminating vulnerable magnetic stripe swipes.
• Provides peace of mind, knowing your card or mobile wallet works at most toll gates nationwide.

Magnetic stripe cards are being phased out due to fraud risks. The upgrade does not increase toll fees, though annual inflation adjustments will continue.

A common question is whether toll gate prices will rise as a result of the new system. The update itself is not expected to increase fees, although annual adjustments for inflation will continue as usual.

The Bottom Line

Major toll routes in South Africa are on the brink of a major transformation. By December 2025, most plazas will accept tap-to-pay transactions using both cards and smart devices, making road travel faster, safer, and more efficient. Journeys between Johannesburg and Durban, or Pretoria and Limpopo, will still involve several toll gates — six to eight on the N3, four to six on the N1 — but paying for them will become much simpler.

For drivers, the message is clear: prepare for contactless travel. Make sure your card or mobile wallet is enabled for tap-to-pay, keep some cash as a backup during the transition period, and budget for toll gates as part of your trip. The days of long queues and fiddling with notes and coins at the booth are quickly coming to an end.

Even with faster, more convenient toll payments, long-distance travel still puts your vehicle through significant strain. From climbing steep gradients on the N3 to enduring high-speed stretches on the N1, your car faces wear and tear that can lead to breakdowns if it isn’t properly maintained. That’s why, alongside planning for toll payments, keeping up with regular vehicle maintenance is essential — it ensures your trips remain safe, efficient, and stress-free.