Sydney to Melbourne by car
Photo: Stephen Michael Barnett, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
While it is easier and faster to travel between Sydney and Melbourne by taking a one-hour direct flight, driving has its own advantages with little trips and diversions that may be taken along the way.
UnderstandThere are two main routes between the cities. The most direct route is 874 km on the Hume Highway (M31), a dual-carriage highway.
PrepareThe drive between Sydney and Melbourne generally takes at least a minimum of 10 hours when following the speed limit, hence it is advisable to take several breaks along the way to break up the journey.
Direct drive via Hume HighwayA fairly straightforward if boring route. The entire length is dual carriageway, but only parts are fully grade separated, meaning there are still some at-grade intersections particularly in rural areas.
Coastal drive via Princes HighwayThe Princes Highway route is the coastal drive from Sydney to Melbourne, a distance of 1,032 km (640 miles).
Inland drive via Monaro HighwayThis option combines the two routes above by taking the Hume Highway from Sydney to Goulburn, but turning south after Goulburn to Canberra via the Federal Highway.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Sydney to Melbourne by car" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Stephen Michael Barnett, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons