Cost to Drive from Melbourne to Ballarat
115 km via the Western Fwy · about 1 h 35 min driving · range spans 6–11 L/100 km at Melbourne's weekly average U91 (AIP publishes no Ballarat figure)
Fuel: Melbourne U91 avg, week ending 18 October 2026 · distance computed once from open routing- At Melbourne's average the one-way trip in a typical car costs $22.24, $0.12 more than a week earlier ($22.12 at 240.4 c/L in the week ending 11 October 2026).
- That is $6.89 more than in the week ending 12 July 2026, when Melbourne U91 averaged 166.9 c/L and the same drive cost $15.35.
- At 115 km this is the 17th longest of the 21 corridors RegoWise prices, so at any single price it ranks 17th dearest to drive.
The Western Freeway carries traffic between Melbourne and Ballarat on a direct, well-maintained route through the ranges to the goldfields city. It's a common commuter and day-trip drive, short enough to do comfortably in a single sitting. Conditions are consistent freeway for most of the way, with the usual services along the corridor if you need to stop.
Melbourne → Ballarat fuel cost
Default price: Melbourne 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 | Melbourne average (241.7 c/L) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One way | Return | |||
| Economical small car / hybrid | 6.0 | 6.9 L | $16.68 | $33.35 |
| Typical car | 8.0 | 9.2 L | $22.24 | $44.47 |
| Large SUV / ute | 11.0 | 12.6 L | $30.58 | $61.15 |
| One way, 6–11 L/100 km | $17–$31 | |||
| AIP's weekly report covers the 8 capital cities only. Ballarat is costed at Melbourne's average, the figure for that state's capital, not a local price. | ||||
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to drive from Melbourne to Ballarat?
- Between $17 and $31 in fuel one way at Melbourne's weekly average U91 (AIP publishes no Ballarat figure) for the week ending 18 October 2026 (241.7 c/L), depending on your car's consumption (6–11 L/100 km). A typical 8 L/100 km car uses about $22.24.
- How far is Melbourne to Ballarat by road?
- 115 km via the Western Fwy, around 1 h 35 min of driving without long stops.
Related trips
- Melbourne → Sydney
- Adelaide → Melbourne
- Canberra → Melbourne
- Geelong → Melbourne
- Melbourne → Bendigo
- 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.