Cost to Drive from Melbourne to Sydney
865 km via the Hume Hwy · about 10 h 15 min driving · range spans 6–11 L/100 km at Melbourne's weekly average U91
Fuel: Melbourne U91 avg, week ending 18 October 2026 · distance computed once from open routing- A typical car costs $167.26 one way at Melbourne's average (241.7 c/L), $0.28 more than at Sydney's (241.3 c/L).
- At Melbourne's average the one-way trip in a typical car costs $167.26, $0.90 more than a week earlier ($166.36 at 240.4 c/L in the week ending 11 October 2026).
- That is $51.77 more than in the week ending 12 July 2026, when Melbourne U91 averaged 166.9 c/L and the same drive cost $115.49.
- At 865 km this is the 5th longest of the 21 corridors RegoWise prices, so at any single price it ranks 5th dearest to drive.
The Hume Highway is the inland corridor between Sydney and Melbourne and is dual carriageway for its full length, which makes it the standard choice for the drive. The coastal alternative down the Princes Highway is a slower, longer run better suited to sightseeing than a direct trip. It's a long day either way, so plan your rest stops in advance and break the drive before fatigue sets in rather than pushing through in a single run.
Melbourne → Sydney 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) | Sydney average (241.3 c/L) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One way | Return | One way | Return | |||
| Economical small car / hybrid | 6.0 | 51.9 L | $125.44 | $250.88 | $125.23 | $250.47 |
| Typical car | 8.0 | 69.2 L | $167.26 | $334.51 | $166.98 | $333.96 |
| Large SUV / ute | 11.0 | 95.2 L | $229.98 | $459.96 | $229.60 | $459.19 |
| One way, 6–11 L/100 km | $125–$230 | $125–$230 | ||||
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to drive from Melbourne to Sydney?
- Between $125 and $230 in fuel one way at Melbourne's weekly average U91 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 $167.26.
- How far is Melbourne to Sydney by road?
- 865 km via the Hume Hwy, around 10 h 15 min of driving without long stops.
Related trips
- Sydney → Brisbane
- Brisbane → Sydney
- Canberra → Sydney
- Sydney → Newcastle
- Gold Coast → Sydney
- Adelaide → Melbourne
- Melbourne fuel prices
- Sydney 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.