Keith Dodgen shares R30,000 cost of 5,000km road trip to Cape Town
Johannesburg creator Keith Dodgen has published an itemised account of what a 5,000km road trip to Cape Town and back cost him and two travelling companions.
Content creator Keith Dodgen has given his followers a line-by-line look at what a long South African road trip can cost. According to Briefly News, the 28-year-old Johannesburg-based creator, who goes by @Yung Earn online, put the figures on Facebook on 30 October 2026.
The route and the car
Keith covered about 5,000 kilometres over 11 to 12 nights, travelling with his partner and a friend. After leaving Johannesburg, the group stopped at:
- Durban
- Mthatha
- East London
- Port Alfred
- Jeffrey’s Bay
- Plettenberg Bay
- Knysna
- Cape Town
They then drove all the way back to Johannesburg. Keith drove a BYD hybrid, which runs on both electricity and petrol. Briefly News reported that this kept his fuel spend lower than a conventional car would have.
Where the money went
The costs Keith listed were:
- Petrol: R7,000 for the whole distance
- Tolls: about R700, which he described as surprisingly low for the distance
- Accommodation: R13,300, the biggest single expense
- Food: R8,000 for all three people over the trip
All the accommodation was booked through Airbnb. The group stayed in houses, places with ocean views, a granny flat and a lodge for one night. Keith said that going outside the December peak season kept prices much lower.
He put the overall cost at R30,000, or roughly R10,000 a person. The four items above add up to R29,000, and the report does not explain the difference. Keith also said that nightlife and activities were not part of the total.
What this means for travellers
The figures reflect one group’s trip, so your own costs will depend on your car, the season, where you sleep and how you eat. Still, a few points stand out for anyone planning something similar:
- Travelling outside December can bring accommodation prices down, according to Keith.
- Accommodation can take up a larger share of the budget than fuel.
- Drinks, entertainment and paid activities will come on top of a budget like this one.
According to Briefly News, many people who commented on the clip thought the total was good value for three people.
This story is based on reporting by Briefly News.
