One-way rental prices can vary by date, vehicle category and the exact pickup and return locations. Compare more than one option before booking.
Car Rental
One-way car rental from Melbourne to Canberra
Melbourne to Canberra by car
Check the driving distance, estimated time, fuel cost and road-charge information for the Melbourne to Canberra route.
- 428 mi Driving distance
- 7h 25m Estimated drive time
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$56–$104
Estimated fuel cost
Estimated from the route distance, country fuel prices and a documented passenger-car fuel-consumption range.
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Tolls likely
Road charges
This does not confirm the route is free of charges. Local access rules, low-emission zones and other local fees may still apply.
Car rental prices from Melbourne to Canberra
See example prices for a three-day one-way rental.
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Small
Suzuki Swift or similar
From $121 per day
$363 for 3 days
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Medium
Toyota Corolla or similar
From $121 per day
$362 for 3 days
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Large
Mitsubishi Lancer or similar
From $127 per day
$380 for 3 days
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SUV
Nissan Qashqai or similar
From $121 per day
$364 for 3 days
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Luxury
Toyota Highlander or similar
From $187 per day
$562 for 3 days
Example prices observed in a real search. Prices may vary by dates and availability.
How to save on a one-way car rental from Melbourne to Canberra
- Check nearby dates. Rental prices can change by pickup date and availability. If your schedule is flexible, compare a day or two either side of your planned dates. Another day is not guaranteed to be cheaper.
- Compare more than one car category. In our three-day sample, Medium had the lowest observed total at $362. Small and SUV sat essentially alongside it at $363 and $364, while Large was only a small step to $380, so size choice barely moved the one-way total.
- Compare the full one-way total. The booking total is more useful than the daily rate alone on this Melbourne to Canberra run. One-way pricing can depend on the vehicle, booking conditions and the exact Melbourne pickup and Canberra return combination.
- Compare practical Melbourne pickup and Canberra return locations. In our sample, Melbourne pickups included Melbourne Airport, city and Southern Cross Station desks, suburban desks and Avalon Airport, while Canberra returns used city locations. City and suburban pickups sat below Melbourne Airport desks. Compare the combinations that fit your trip rather than assuming the airport is cheaper.
- Check the kilometre allowance carefully. This Melbourne to Canberra drive is about 428 mi one way, and most offers in our three-day sample showed unlimited kilometres. Confirm the policy on the offer you book rather than assuming every deal includes unlimited km.
Tips for a one-way car rental from Melbourne to Canberra
For this 428 mi Melbourne to Canberra rental (about 7h 25m), plan the interstate drive and check your exact Melbourne pickup and Canberra return setup before you leave.
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Plan this same-day drive
The drive is about 428 mi and takes around 7h 25m before stops. Treat that as driving time only — allow extra for collection, traffic and a break. A same-day trip is realistic if you start early.
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Collect at the T123 car park
Melbourne Airport pickups on this route use Tullamarine addresses — Arrival Drive and the terminal buildings. Official on-airport counters sit on the ground floor of the T123 Car Park, opposite Terminal 2. Follow Car Rental signs from your terminal. Some companies use other Tullamarine streets, so confirm the desk on your voucher.
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Leave the Hume on Barton Highway
From Melbourne this drive joins the Hume Freeway (M31) at M80 exit 17 toward Seymour and Sydney. Near Yass it leaves the Hume on the Barton Highway (A25) into Canberra, not the Federal Highway. The Hume is freeway; Barton is mixed dual and single carriageway. An eastern Melbourne start uses EastLink (M3), including the Melba Tunnel. Check your rental company's toll arrangement before using a tolled Melbourne road.
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Enter Canberra on Gungahlin Drive
After the Barton Highway, this drive continues on Gungahlin Drive, then leaves at Glenloch Interchange onto Parkes Way toward the city. It does not use the Federal Highway or Majura Parkway. Returns use Canberra city codes. Enter the exact address on your voucher rather than a passenger terminal.
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Avalon sits on the Geelong side
City desks on this route include Franklin Street and Spencer Street at Southern Cross Station. Avalon Airport on Beach Road in Lara sits on the Geelong side of Melbourne, so it adds a long extra run before you even reach the Hume. Match the desk to where you actually start.
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Budget fuel for the Hume and Barton
Our estimate puts fuel at about $56–$104 for this drive. Include that beside the rental total — fuel is a real cost on this Hume Freeway and Barton Highway run.
Melbourne to Canberra car rental FAQs
Answers to common questions about one-way rentals and driving from Melbourne to Canberra.
Message us
Melbourne and Canberra are about 428 mi (688 km) apart by road, or around 7 hours 25 minutes mainly on the M31 and the A25 into Canberra. Fuel and mileage terms sit beside the daily rate on an interstate hop of this length.
Yes. The drive is around 7 hours 25 minutes, so a same-day trip is possible with an early start and short stops. Plan for a full day behind the wheel.
Medium, Small and SUV cars all start around $121 per day for Melbourne to Canberra, so size choice barely moves the starting rate on this hop. Prices vary depending on your dates and vehicle availability. Check live prices on AirTrackBot for your trip.
Medium was cheapest at $121 per day, with Small and SUV essentially matching at $121 and $121 per day, so size choice barely moves the starting rate on Melbourne to Canberra.
It depends on the offer. A drop charge may already be inside the total or listed separately. Search Melbourne and Canberra as different locations, then check the full price breakdown and the rental provider’s terms before booking. On a drive of this length, that line can move the total.
Yes. Toll sections appear on this Melbourne to Canberra drive on M3 sections leaving Melbourne. No toll amount is published here, so check current charges for the route your navigation selects.
Plan on roughly $56–$104 for fuel on this Melbourne to Canberra run. Fuel is a real trip-cost piece on an interstate hop of this length, and the final amount still depends on the car and where you refill.
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