Driving Cost from Brisbane City, Queensland to Melbourne, Victoria

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip Between Brisbane City, Queensland and Melbourne, Victoria Based on Current Gas Prices

Traveling from Brisbane City in Queensland to Melbourne in Victoria can be a fun and exciting adventure. This trip leads you through some of Australia's most beautiful scenery at a distance of approximately 1700 km. However, planning a trip like this can be a bit overwhelming for some people, especially when it comes to making a detailed budget, including fuel and other necessary expenses. In this article, we will break down the different possible routes and the distance of each one while highlighting the cost involved. Moreover, we will recommend the best route to take, using current gas prices as a benchmark.

The Different Possible Routes

There are mainly three different routes to consider when traveling from Brisbane City to Melbourne. They include:

  1. Via Newell Highway: This route usually takes you through Moree, Parkes, Forbes, West Wyalong, and Wagga Wagga before leading you to Melbourne. The total distance to cover on this route is about 1740 km, and the journey can take approximately 22 hours.

  2. Via Pacific Highway: This route usually passes through Coffs Harbour, Sydney, and Canberra before taking you to Melbourne. The total distance covered on this route is about 1840 km, and you should expect a traveling time of around 23 hours.

  3. Via New England Highway and Pacific Highway: This route merges the New England Highway with the Pacific Highway and runs through Armidale, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Sydney before leading to Melbourne. The total distance covered by this route is about 1900 km, and the journey can take approximately 24 hours.

Highlight of the Cost Involved

The cost of the trip depends mainly on fuel prices, and every route has its own unique requirements. Moreover, the type of vehicle you use to travel, the number of passengers, the amount of luggage, and stops along the way can all impact the final cost of your trip. Below is a detailed summary of the cost involved to travel to Melbourne from Brisbane City via each of the three routes:

Newell Highway

If you use the Newell Highway route, you should expect to spend an average of $270 on fuel, assuming a price of $1.50 per liter at the pump. The actual cost can be more or less, depending on your fuel consumption rate, which would depend on the make and model of your car. Other expenses to factor in include food, accommodation, and park fees along the way, which can be quite variable. You might also need to consider insurance coverage, since accidents, thefts, or breakdowns can happen at any time during the trip.

Pacific Highway

Using the Pacific Highway route, the cost of fuel rises slightly due to the extra traveling distance and the hilly terrain. You should expect to spend an average of $320 on fuel, assuming a price of $1.50 per liter at the pump. Like the Newell Highway route, the cost of accommodation, food, park fees, and other expenses can change depending on your travel plans. However, the cost of fuel may be offset by the excellent accommodations and tourist sites you'll find on this route.

New England Highway and Pacific Highway

Combining the New England and Pacific Highway routes can be a bit more expensive, but it has many advantages. One of these advantages is the ability to explore some of Australia's most picturesque towns and villages, while still being able to see the main tourist sites and attractions. The total fuel cost for this route could be around $350, and that's assuming a price of $1.50 per liter at the pump. Again, the final cost may be more or less, depending on the car you use and the other factors mentioned above.

After weighing the distance, time, and cost of fuel, we recommend taking the Pacific Highway route to Melbourne. This route is slightly longer in terms of distance, but you'll be able to travel through some of Australia's most iconic cities and towns, like Coffs Harbour, Sydney, Canberra, and more. You'll also find several natural attractions, historic sites, and parks along the way. Additionally, fuel cost on this route won't be too different from the other routes, so the difference can be offset by the benefit of travel experience.

Conclusion

Traveling from Brisbane City to Melbourne can be a fantastic experience if you have a well-planned budget. When considering the different possible routes, it is essential to balance the distance and time with the cost of fuel and other expenses. After careful evaluation of the Newell Highway, Pacific Highway, and the New England and Pacific Highway routes, we recommended taking the Pacific Highway route. This route offers excellent scenery, tourist attractions, and historical sites along the way. Moreover, it has a moderate cost of fuel compared to the other routes, making it a smart choice. No matter which route you choose, remember to prepare adequately, pack essential items, and follow traffic and safety rules to ensure a smooth and memorable travel experience.