Distance
About 730 km via the Western Highway.
Adelaide → Melbourne one-way car rental
730 km, 8.5–9.5 h. Compare fees, routes and total price.
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One-way car rental from Adelaide → Melbourne
Through the Adelaide Hills and the Wimmera to Melbourne, or along the coast on the Great Ocean Road.
Driving time
8.5–9.5 h without long breaks.
Minimum hire
Often 3 days or more.
Typical one-way fee
A$120–220, depending on supplier and season.
Indicative figures only. The final fee is shown before you pay.
Adelaide → Melbourne route planner
Two ways to drive it. Pick a route to see every stop with its distance from Adelaide, driving time, the leg that follows and a day plan.
Best for getting to Melbourne faster
Fastest / Western Highway
Dukes and Western highways.
DistanceAbout 730 km
Driving timeAbout 8.5–9.5 h
Stops4 on the way
- A
Adelaide Pick-up
Pick up in Adelaide and get clear of the city before peak traffic.
0 kmStartNext: Tailem Bend · 110 km · about 1 h 15 min - 1
Tailem Bend Fuel & coffee
Murray River crossing and fuel.
110 kmAbout 1 h 15 minNext: Bordertown · 190 km · about 2 h 30 min - 2
Bordertown Fuel & coffee
Last SA town before the Victorian border.
300 kmAbout 3 h 45 minNext: Horsham · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Horsham Meal stop
Lunch stop near the Grampians.
430 kmAbout 5 h 15 minNext: Ballarat · 185 km · about 2 h 15 min - 4
Ballarat Fuel & coffee
Gold-rush city. Last break before Melbourne.
615 kmAbout 7 h 30 minNext: Melbourne · 115 km · about 1 h 30 min - B
Melbourne Drop-off
Return the car in Melbourne. Check the depot hours if you will arrive late.
730 kmAbout 9 h
Best for a coastal road trip
Great Ocean Road option
Limestone Coast, then the Great Ocean Road. Plan two nights.
DistanceAbout 1,010 km
Driving timeAbout 13 h, plus stops
Stops6 on the way
- A
Adelaide Pick-up
Pick up in Adelaide and get clear of the city before peak traffic.
0 kmStartNext: Robe · 335 km · about 4 h 15 min - 1
Robe Meal stop
Seaside town on the Limestone Coast.
335 kmAbout 4 h 15 minNext: Mount Gambier · 130 km · about 1 h 45 min - 2
Mount Gambier Overnight option
Blue Lake and sinkholes. Good first overnight.
465 kmAbout 6 hNext: Portland · 105 km · about 1 h 15 min - 3
Portland Sightseeing
Historic port and Cape Bridgewater.
570 kmAbout 7 h 15 minNext: Port Campbell · 165 km · about 2 h 15 min - 4
Port Campbell Overnight option
Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Overnight here.
735 kmAbout 9 h 30 minNext: Apollo Bay · 90 km · about 1 h - 5
Apollo Bay Meal stop
Otway rainforest and lunch.
825 kmAbout 10 h 30 minNext: Lorne · 45 km · about 45 min - 6
Lorne Sightseeing
Last of the cliff-top road before Geelong and Melbourne.
870 kmAbout 11 h 15 minNext: Melbourne · 140 km · about 1 h 45 min - B
Melbourne Drop-off
Return the car in Melbourne. Check the depot hours if you will arrive late.
1,010 kmAbout 13 h
Approximate distances and times without long breaks. Driving times vary with traffic, roadworks and weather.
Adelaide → Melbourne route planner
Two ways to drive it. Pick a route to see every stop with its distance from Adelaide, driving time, the leg that follows and a day plan.
Best for getting to Melbourne faster
Fastest / Western Highway
Dukes and Western highways.
DistanceAbout 730 km
Driving timeAbout 8.5–9.5 h
Stops4 on the way
- A
Adelaide Pick-up
Pick up in Adelaide and get clear of the city before peak traffic.
0 kmStartNext: Tailem Bend · 110 km · about 1 h 15 min - 1
Tailem Bend Fuel & coffee
Murray River crossing and fuel.
110 kmAbout 1 h 15 minNext: Bordertown · 190 km · about 2 h 30 min - 2
Bordertown Fuel & coffee
Last SA town before the Victorian border.
300 kmAbout 3 h 45 minNext: Horsham · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Horsham Meal stop
Lunch stop near the Grampians.
430 kmAbout 5 h 15 minNext: Ballarat · 185 km · about 2 h 15 min - 4
Ballarat Fuel & coffee
Gold-rush city. Last break before Melbourne.
615 kmAbout 7 h 30 minNext: Melbourne · 115 km · about 1 h 30 min - B
Melbourne Drop-off
Return the car in Melbourne. Check the depot hours if you will arrive late.
730 kmAbout 9 h
Best for a coastal road trip
Great Ocean Road option
Limestone Coast, then the Great Ocean Road. Plan two nights.
DistanceAbout 1,010 km
Driving timeAbout 13 h, plus stops
Stops6 on the way
- A
Adelaide Pick-up
Pick up in Adelaide and get clear of the city before peak traffic.
0 kmStartNext: Robe · 335 km · about 4 h 15 min - 1
Robe Meal stop
Seaside town on the Limestone Coast.
335 kmAbout 4 h 15 minNext: Mount Gambier · 130 km · about 1 h 45 min - 2
Mount Gambier Overnight option
Blue Lake and sinkholes. Good first overnight.
465 kmAbout 6 hNext: Portland · 105 km · about 1 h 15 min - 3
Portland Sightseeing
Historic port and Cape Bridgewater.
570 kmAbout 7 h 15 minNext: Port Campbell · 165 km · about 2 h 15 min - 4
Port Campbell Overnight option
Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Overnight here.
735 kmAbout 9 h 30 minNext: Apollo Bay · 90 km · about 1 h - 5
Apollo Bay Meal stop
Otway rainforest and lunch.
825 kmAbout 10 h 30 minNext: Lorne · 45 km · about 45 min - 6
Lorne Sightseeing
Last of the cliff-top road before Geelong and Melbourne.
870 kmAbout 11 h 15 minNext: Melbourne · 140 km · about 1 h 45 min - B
Melbourne Drop-off
Return the car in Melbourne. Check the depot hours if you will arrive late.
1,010 kmAbout 13 h
Approximate distances and times without long breaks. Driving times vary with traffic, roadworks and weather.
Adelaide → Melbourne route planner
Two ways to drive it. Pick a route to see every stop with its distance from Adelaide, driving time, the leg that follows and a day plan.
Best for getting to Melbourne faster
Fastest / Western Highway
Dukes and Western highways.
DistanceAbout 730 km
Driving timeAbout 8.5–9.5 h
Stops4 on the way
- A
Adelaide Pick-up
Pick up in Adelaide and get clear of the city before peak traffic.
0 kmStartNext: Tailem Bend · 110 km · about 1 h 15 min - 1
Tailem Bend Fuel & coffee
Murray River crossing and fuel.
110 kmAbout 1 h 15 minNext: Bordertown · 190 km · about 2 h 30 min - 2
Bordertown Fuel & coffee
Last SA town before the Victorian border.
300 kmAbout 3 h 45 minNext: Horsham · 130 km · about 1 h 30 min - 3
Horsham Meal stop
Lunch stop near the Grampians.
430 kmAbout 5 h 15 minNext: Ballarat · 185 km · about 2 h 15 min - 4
Ballarat Fuel & coffee
Gold-rush city. Last break before Melbourne.
615 kmAbout 7 h 30 minNext: Melbourne · 115 km · about 1 h 30 min - B
Melbourne Drop-off
Return the car in Melbourne. Check the depot hours if you will arrive late.
730 kmAbout 9 h
Best for a coastal road trip
Great Ocean Road option
Limestone Coast, then the Great Ocean Road. Plan two nights.
DistanceAbout 1,010 km
Driving timeAbout 13 h, plus stops
Stops6 on the way
- A
Adelaide Pick-up
Pick up in Adelaide and get clear of the city before peak traffic.
0 kmStartNext: Robe · 335 km · about 4 h 15 min - 1
Robe Meal stop
Seaside town on the Limestone Coast.
335 kmAbout 4 h 15 minNext: Mount Gambier · 130 km · about 1 h 45 min - 2
Mount Gambier Overnight option
Blue Lake and sinkholes. Good first overnight.
465 kmAbout 6 hNext: Portland · 105 km · about 1 h 15 min - 3
Portland Sightseeing
Historic port and Cape Bridgewater.
570 kmAbout 7 h 15 minNext: Port Campbell · 165 km · about 2 h 15 min - 4
Port Campbell Overnight option
Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Overnight here.
735 kmAbout 9 h 30 minNext: Apollo Bay · 90 km · about 1 h - 5
Apollo Bay Meal stop
Otway rainforest and lunch.
825 kmAbout 10 h 30 minNext: Lorne · 45 km · about 45 min - 6
Lorne Sightseeing
Last of the cliff-top road before Geelong and Melbourne.
870 kmAbout 11 h 15 minNext: Melbourne · 140 km · about 1 h 45 min - B
Melbourne Drop-off
Return the car in Melbourne. Check the depot hours if you will arrive late.
1,010 kmAbout 13 h
Approximate distances and times without long breaks. Driving times vary with traffic, roadworks and weather.
How Much Does a One-Way Car Rental Cost?
Your total is the rental price plus the one-way fee and any optional extras you choose. The exact amounts appear in your quote for your dates, car and locations.
Rental priceBased on your dates and car type
The base price for your dates and vehicle category.
One-way feeShown before you payCharged for dropping the car in a different city
Charged when you return the car to a different location. Your quote shows the actual fee for your booking.
Optional extrasOptionalOnly what you choose to add
Protection and add-ons are optional and listed separately, so you can see what each one adds.
How Much Does a One-Way Car Rental Cost?
Your total is the rental price plus the one-way fee and any optional extras you choose. The exact amounts appear in your quote for your dates, car and locations.
Rental priceBased on your dates and car type
The base price for your dates and vehicle category.
One-way feeShown before you payCharged for dropping the car in a different city
Charged when you return the car to a different location. Your quote shows the actual fee for your booking.
Optional extrasOptionalOnly what you choose to add
Protection and add-ons are optional and listed separately, so you can see what each one adds.
How Much Does a One-Way Car Rental Cost?
Your total is the rental price plus the one-way fee and any optional extras you choose. The exact amounts appear in your quote for your dates, car and locations.
Rental priceBased on your dates and car type
The base price for your dates and vehicle category.
One-way feeShown before you payCharged for dropping the car in a different city
Charged when you return the car to a different location. Your quote shows the actual fee for your booking.
Optional extrasOptionalOnly what you choose to add
Protection and add-ons are optional and listed separately, so you can see what each one adds.
How Much Does a One-Way Car Rental Cost?
Your total is the rental price plus the one-way fee and any optional extras you choose. The exact amounts appear in your quote for your dates, car and locations.
Rental priceBased on your dates and car type
The base price for your dates and vehicle category.
One-way feeShown before you payCharged for dropping the car in a different city
Charged when you return the car to a different location. Your quote shows the actual fee for your booking.
Optional extrasOptionalOnly what you choose to add
Protection and add-ons are optional and listed separately, so you can see what each one adds.
How much is a one-way car rental fee in Australia?
A one-way fee is added when you drop the car in a different city. For Adelaide to Melbourne it is usually higher than for short regional routes, and it changes by supplier and season.
| Category | Daily rate from | Typical one-way fee |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | A$39 | A$120–190 |
| Compact | A$46 | A$120–200 |
| SUV | A$68 | A$150–220 |
| Van | A$95 | A$190–270 |
Indicative only. The final fee is shown before you pay. Relocation deals can reduce or remove it.
Adelaide → Melbourne Driving Essentials
Four things worth knowing before you set off.
Keep Left
Australia drives on the left, including at roundabouts and when you pull back onto the road after a stop.
Watch Your Speed
Follow posted limits and changing road conditions. Speed limits vary by state, road type and area, so always follow the signs.
Plan Fuel Stops
Don't rely on finding fuel exactly when your tank is low. Fill up in larger towns, and check the fuel policy in your rental agreement.
Take Breaks
Long-distance driving requires regular rest. Share the driving if you can, and stop when you feel tired.
Important: Speed limits are determined by road signage and conditions; always follow the current posted limit.
Smart Tips for a Adelaide → Melbourne Road Trip
Practical checks travellers often make too late.
Check the return location
Drop-off locations in Melbourne may have different operating arrangements. Pick the one that suits your arrival.
Confirm the one-way fee
Don't compare only the daily rental rate. Compare the total price with the one-way fee included.
Check after-hours return
Particularly important if your arrival time is late. Confirm how and where to return the car and the keys.
Check kilometre limits
A 730 km trip can use a lot of your allowance once you add side trips. Check what your rental includes.
Allow extra time for stops
The direct drive is about 8.5–9.5 h. Stops, meals and fuel breaks add up, so plan your days to match.
Check vehicle restrictions
Some vehicle categories may have different one-way rules. Check before you confirm a category.
Photograph the vehicle at pickup
Record existing damage before leaving, and make sure it is noted on your paperwork.
Keep the rental agreement accessible
Keep a copy on your phone and the paper copy in the car, in case you are asked for it.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
How long does the drive from Adelaide to Melbourne take?
About 8.5–9.5 h on the Western Highway, without long breaks.
Can I drop the car at Melbourne after driving from Adelaide?
Often yes, at an airport or city depot in Melbourne. Confirm the drop-off hours and any surcharge.
Are there tolls between Adelaide and Melbourne?
Only CityLink if you use it entering Melbourne.
Can I save money on the Adelaide to Melbourne one-way fee?
Compare suppliers, flexible dates, both directions and relocation deals.
Can I rent a car one-way from Adelaide to Melbourne?
Yes. Many suppliers allow different pickup and drop-off locations, and a one-way charge may apply.
How much does a one-way rental cost from Adelaide to Melbourne?
It varies by supplier, route, vehicle and dates. Any one-way charge is shown before you book.
Are tolls included on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Usually not. Tolls are typically charged separately.
Can I drive on unsealed roads on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Many agreements restrict or exclude them. Check your conditions before you go.
Can I take a rental car on a ferry on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Often restricted. Check terms, including for Tasmania ferries.
What is the excess on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
The maximum you may pay for damage unless you reduce it. It varies by supplier and vehicle.
Can I add another driver on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Usually, if they meet age and licence rules. A fee may apply.
Can I return the car after hours on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Some locations allow it with a key drop. Confirm before you book.
Can international visitors rent a car from Adelaide to Melbourne?
Generally yes with a valid licence. An English translation or permit may be needed.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
Can I drop the car at Melbourne after driving from Adelaide?
Often yes, at an airport or city depot in Melbourne. Confirm the drop-off hours and any surcharge.
Can I rent a car one-way from Adelaide to Melbourne?
Yes. Many suppliers allow different pickup and drop-off locations, and a one-way charge may apply.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
Are there tolls between Adelaide and Melbourne?
Only CityLink if you use it entering Melbourne.
Can I save money on the Adelaide to Melbourne one-way fee?
Compare suppliers, flexible dates, both directions and relocation deals.
How much does a one-way rental cost from Adelaide to Melbourne?
It varies by supplier, route, vehicle and dates. Any one-way charge is shown before you book.
Are tolls included on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Usually not. Tolls are typically charged separately.
What is the excess on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
The maximum you may pay for damage unless you reduce it. It varies by supplier and vehicle.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
How long does the drive from Adelaide to Melbourne take?
About 8.5–9.5 h on the Western Highway, without long breaks.
Can I drive on unsealed roads on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Many agreements restrict or exclude them. Check your conditions before you go.
Can I take a rental car on a ferry on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Often restricted. Check terms, including for Tasmania ferries.
Traveller questions
Short answers. Details depend on your supplier and booking.
Can I add another driver on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Usually, if they meet age and licence rules. A fee may apply.
Can I return the car after hours on an Adelaide to Melbourne one-way trip?
Some locations allow it with a key drop. Confirm before you book.
Can international visitors rent a car from Adelaide to Melbourne?
Generally yes with a valid licence. An English translation or permit may be needed.
Other one-way trips
Sydney → Adelaide
1,375 km · 14–16 h · A$300–500 typical fee
Melbourne → Sydney
880 km · 9–10 h · A$150–250 typical fee
Melbourne → Geelong
75 km · about 1 h · A$0–60 typical fee
Melbourne → Canberra
660 km · 7–7.5 h · A$120–220 typical fee
Melbourne → Brisbane
1,670 km · 18–19 h · A$300–500 typical fee
Melbourne → Adelaide
730 km · 8.5–9.5 h · A$120–220 typical fee
Perth → Adelaide
2,700 km · 27–30 h · A$450–900 typical fee
Adelaide → Sydney
1,375 km · 14–16 h · A$300–500 typical fee