Australia is made for one-way road trips: you can fly into one city, drive the coast and fly home from another. The only extra is usually a one-way fee, and with the right route and supplier it can be small or even zero.
At a glance
1The Most Popular One-Way Routes
| Route | Distance | Driving time | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney → Melbourne | About 880 km (inland) | 9–10 h | Route guide |
| Sydney → Brisbane | About 920 km (coast) | 10–11 h | Road trip guide |
| Brisbane → Cairns | About 1,700 km | 19–20 h | Road trip guide |
| Melbourne → Adelaide | About 730 km (inland) | 8 h | Route guide |
| Perth → Broome | About 2,240 km | 23–24 h | Road trip guide |
2How One-Way Fees Work
A one-way fee covers the cost of getting the car back to where the supplier needs it. It depends on the route, the direction, the season and how many cars the supplier has at each end. On busy routes between capital cities it can be low or even included; to and from remote towns it can run to several hundred dollars.
Also read: One-way car hire fees explained
3How to Pay Less
- Price both directions. A Brisbane to Sydney trip may cost less than Sydney to Brisbane on the same dates.
- Compare suppliers. Networks differ, and so do fees.
- Stay within big cities at both ends. Airport-to-airport routes between capitals are usually cheapest.
- Look at relocation deals for very cheap, fixed-date trips if you are flexible.
- Check the minimum rental length, which can be higher for long routes.
4Five Great One-Way Trips
Sydney to Melbourne
About 880 km on the Hume Highway in a day or two, or a week on the coast via the South Coast and East Gippsland.
Sydney to Brisbane
About 920 km up the Pacific Motorway, with beaches at Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.
Brisbane to Cairns
About 1,700 km up the Bruce Highway past the Whitsundays. Best from May to October.
Melbourne to Adelaide
About 730 km inland, or a longer coastal route via the Great Ocean Road and Mount Gambier.
Perth to Broome
More than 2,200 km of Western Australian coast and outback: Ningaloo, Shark Bay and the Pilbara.
5One-Way Checklist
- Compare the total in both directions and with different suppliers.
- Check the drop-off depot’s opening hours and after-hours return options.
- Confirm interstate, ferry and remote-area rules.
- Make sure the minimum rental length fits your plans.
- Plan fuel and rest stops; on long routes, share the driving.
6Relocation Deals: Very Cheap, Very Fixed
Rental companies sometimes need cars moved between cities and offer them for a token daily rate with a set pick-up date, a short window to complete the trip and a limited number of kilometres. They are excellent value if your plans are flexible, and they suit backpackers and retirees with time on their hands. The trade-offs are fixed dates, little time for detours and, often, a standard car regardless of what you would choose.
- Check the number of days allowed and the kilometre limit.
- Ask whether fuel, ferry tickets or tolls are included.
- Read the insurance and excess terms, which can be different from normal rentals.
7Before You Set Off
- Confirm the drop-off depot’s opening hours on your arrival day.
- Check toll billing for both cities.
- Make sure the agreement allows the route, especially for WA, NT and ferries.
- Plan fuel stops on long, remote stretches.
Also read: Can you drive a rental car between Australian states?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a one-way rental fee in Australia?
It ranges from nothing on some busy routes between capital cities to several hundred dollars on remote routes. Search your dates to see the fee in the total.
What is the most popular one-way route in Australia?
Sydney to Melbourne and Sydney to Brisbane are among the busiest.
Is it cheaper in one direction?
Often. Fees depend on where suppliers need cars, so compare both directions.
Can I drop a rental car in another state?
Usually yes on sealed roads, between the supplier’s depots. Some restrict WA, the NT and ferries.
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Australia Rent Car compares car hire from the top suppliers across Australia, with one-way trips, airport pick-ups and total prices side by side.
