South Africans have been bracing for impact as petrol prices continue to soar. According to the Automobile Association, when April rolls around, fuel prices could see a steep increase of R2/litre, ensuring that motorists would need to fork out a whopping R24/litre for petrol.
However, these are just estimates, and what the actual set fuel price will be is still up for debate. Earlier this week, finance minister Enoch Godongwana hinted at discussions that would – perhaps – temporarily dull the sharp knife that the impact of oil prices have been slashing at our pockets, but these discussions will only be revealed in April.
It’s no secret that the Ukraine-Russia conflict has had a major impact on oil prices. According to Business Insider, as Nato works on plans to send anti-ship missiles to Ukraine, prices rise. When Europe makes the decision not to boycott Russia, prices fall. Experts have suggested that the oil price may soon reach $200 per barrel, a serious factor that will undoubtedly hit the pockets of South Africans if the government does not intervene soon.
The Easter season has always been filled with pickled fish, hot cross buns an indulgent road trip to breathe in the fresh ocean air. However, inlanders looking to enjoy the latter may simply have to make do with the former as motorists continue to bear the brunt of rising petrol costs.
So, just how much would motorists need to pay up when travelling to or from Cape Town and Johannesburg?
There’s a 1 400 km distance between Cape Town to Johannesburg and with around 100 litres of petrol that the average car may use to cover this distance, it may cost you R2400, says Business Insider.
Unfortunately, motorists will also need to factor in tolls, which could add another R205.50 to an already staggering budget. These estimates are minus the essentials – food and accommodation, as it takes roughly 15 hours to make it to the Mother City.
Here is how much travelling between other cities will cost you:
- Johannesburg to Polokwane = R540 + R190 in tolls
- Johannesburg to Durban = R1000 + 286.50 in tolls
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