canberra to melbourne driving Page 495

The straightforward run from Canberra to Melbourne is about 660 km via the Barton Highway to the Hume (M31), taking roughly 7–8 hours without heroic bladder control or roadworks. It’s dual carriageway most of the way with 110 km/h limits in parts, plentiful servos, and enough coffee stops to make your cardiologist frown.

Expect tolls if you wander onto CityLink approaching Melbourne, but you can detour via the Western Ring Road if you’re allergic to e-tags. Scenic options via the Alps or the coast exist, but they’ll nick extra hours and, in winter, your patience. Pack snacks, set cruise, watch for roos at dusk, and let the Hume do the heavy lifting.