Commute Cost Calculator
Pick your car and your daily route, and see exactly how much you'll spend on fuel this month — plus how much more (or less) than last month, based on the latest official DMPR adjustment.
Consumption figures are manufacturer-claimed combined-cycle (L/100km). Real-world figures in stop-start traffic are typically 10–15% higher. Add a ~15% buffer for a realistic monthly budget.
How does the calculator work?
- Monthly distance = your one-way km × trip type × days/week × 4.33 (average weeks per month).
- Monthly litres = monthly distance × (L/100km ÷ 100).
- Monthly cost = monthly litres × current official DMPR price per litre for your selected fuel grade and region.
- Change vs last month = monthly cost at this month's price minus monthly cost at the previous month's DMPR price (from our verified monthly history).
All fuel prices update automatically on the first Wednesday of each month, the day the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) publishes the new adjustment. The calculator immediately reflects the new figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the new petrol price cost me per month?
It depends on how far you drive and what your car uses. The calculator above gives you the exact figure for your specific situation — pick your car, your commute, and your days per week.
What if my car isn't in the list?
Enter your consumption directly in the "Custom consumption (L/100km)" field. The manufacturer-claimed figure is in your owner's manual or on the manufacturer's website. If you don't know it, a small petrol hatchback typically uses 5–6 L/100km, a midsize sedan 6–8, a bakkie or SUV 8–11, and a large diesel SUV or van 9–12.
Why are my real-world fuel costs higher than the calculator says?
Manufacturer-claimed L/100km is measured on a smooth combined-cycle lab test. Real-world driving in stop-start traffic, with aircon on, hills, and aggressive accelerator use, is typically 10–15% higher. For a conservative budget, multiply the calculator's monthly figure by 1.15.
Is the calculator using the latest official price?
Yes. The price per litre used in the calculation is auto-synced daily from the DMPR Fuel Prices page and matches the figure shown on our petrol price and diesel price pages.
How much petrol does the average South African commuter use?
The most common Gauteng commute (around 35 km one-way, round-tripped 5 days a week) covers roughly 1,500 km a month. In a Toyota Corolla Quest (6.6 L/100km) that's about 100 litres a month, costing roughly R2,806 at the current inland 95 price. A diesel bakkie covering the same route uses about 115 litres of diesel.