Cost to Drive from Canberra to Melbourne
652 km via the Hume Hwy · about 7 h 55 min driving · range spans 6–11 L/100 km at Canberra's weekly average U91
Fuel: Canberra U91 avg, week ending 18 October 2026 · distance computed once from open routing- A typical car costs $128.47 one way at Canberra's average (246.3 c/L), $2.40 more than at Melbourne's (241.7 c/L).
- At Canberra's average the one-way trip in a typical car costs $128.47, $0.83 more than a week earlier ($127.64 at 244.7 c/L in the week ending 11 October 2026).
- That is $35.47 more than in the week ending 12 July 2026, when Canberra U91 averaged 178.3 c/L and the same drive cost $93.00.
- At 652 km this is the 8th longest of the 21 corridors RegoWise prices, so at any single price it ranks 8th dearest to drive.
The drive from Melbourne to Canberra follows the Hume Highway for most of the distance before turning onto the Barton Highway for the approach into the capital. The Hume section is fast dual carriageway, while the Barton stretch is a quieter country road, so the two halves of the trip feel quite different. It's a comfortable long-day drive with services spread along the Hume portion.
Canberra → Melbourne fuel cost
Default price: Canberra 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 | Canberra average (246.3 c/L) | Melbourne average (241.7 c/L) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One way | Return | One way | Return | |||
| Economical small car / hybrid | 6.0 | 39.1 L | $96.35 | $192.71 | $94.55 | $189.11 |
| Typical car | 8.0 | 52.2 L | $128.47 | $256.94 | $126.07 | $252.14 |
| Large SUV / ute | 11.0 | 71.7 L | $176.65 | $353.29 | $173.35 | $346.69 |
| One way, 6–11 L/100 km | $96–$177 | $95–$173 | ||||
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to drive from Canberra to Melbourne?
- Between $96 and $177 in fuel one way at Canberra's weekly average U91 for the week ending 18 October 2026 (246.3 c/L), depending on your car's consumption (6–11 L/100 km). A typical 8 L/100 km car uses about $128.47.
- How far is Canberra to Melbourne by road?
- 652 km via the Hume Hwy, around 7 h 55 min of driving without long stops.
Related trips
- Melbourne → Sydney
- Canberra → Sydney
- Adelaide → Melbourne
- Geelong → Melbourne
- Melbourne → Ballarat
- Melbourne → Bendigo
- Canberra fuel prices
- Melbourne 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.