Cost to Drive from Brisbane to Cairns
1,694 km via the Bruce Hwy · about 21 h 55 min driving · range spans 6–11 L/100 km at Brisbane's weekly average U91 (AIP publishes no Cairns figure)
Fuel: Brisbane U91 avg, week ending 18 October 2026 · distance computed once from open routing- At Brisbane's average the one-way trip in a typical car costs $325.11, $1.76 more than a week earlier ($323.35 at 238.6 c/L in the week ending 11 October 2026).
- That is $94.86 more than in the week ending 12 July 2026, when Brisbane U91 averaged 169.9 c/L and the same drive cost $230.25.
- At 1,694 km this is the 2nd longest of the 21 corridors RegoWise prices, so at any single price it ranks 2nd dearest to drive.
The Bruce Highway is the long coastal corridor between Brisbane and Cairns, and it's a multi-day drive rather than something to attempt in a single sitting. It passes through a string of regional centres, so fuel is available along the way, but prices vary noticeably between the larger towns and the quieter stretches. Plan overnight stops and top up in the bigger centres, where fuel tends to be cheaper.
Brisbane → Cairns fuel cost
Default price: Brisbane average U91, week ending 18 October 2026. Fuel only — tolls, wear and rest stops not included.
The breakdown at typical consumption
| Car | L/100 km | Fuel used | Brisbane average (239.9 c/L) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One way | Return | |||
| Economical small car / hybrid | 6.0 | 101.6 L | $243.83 | $487.67 |
| Typical car | 8.0 | 135.5 L | $325.11 | $650.22 |
| Large SUV / ute | 11.0 | 186.3 L | $447.03 | $894.06 |
| One way, 6–11 L/100 km | $244–$447 | |||
| AIP's weekly report covers the 8 capital cities only. Cairns is costed at Brisbane's average, the figure for that state's capital, not a local price. | ||||
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to drive from Brisbane to Cairns?
- Between $244 and $447 in fuel one way at Brisbane's weekly average U91 (AIP publishes no Cairns figure) for the week ending 18 October 2026 (239.9 c/L), depending on your car's consumption (6–11 L/100 km). A typical 8 L/100 km car uses about $325.11.
- How far is Brisbane to Cairns by road?
- 1,694 km via the Bruce Hwy, around 21 h 55 min of driving without long stops.
Related trips
- Sydney → Brisbane
- Brisbane → Sydney
- Brisbane → Gold Coast
- Brisbane → Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
- Brisbane → Byron Bay
- Brisbane → Toowoomba
- Brisbane fuel prices
- Australian Institute of Petroleum — weekly petrol prices report, week ending 18 October 2026verified
- OSRM open routing (road distance, computed at build)cross-checked
Fuel cost only — tolls, food and accommodation not included. Distance is the practical sealed-road driving route; drive time excludes long breaks. Prices along remote corridors run above city averages. AIP weekly averages for the week ending 18 October 2026.