Can you rent a car from Canberra to Melbourne?
Yes, you can pick up your car rental in Canberra and return it in Melbourne with our one-way car hire options. It’s a handy choice if you’re heading south for work, visiting family, moving, or turning the drive into a road trip. Get in touch with our friendly team by phone, email, or our online contact form, and we’ll help get your plans on the road.
One way rental Canberra to Melbourne
Drive from Canberra to Melbourne your way with our one-way car rentals. Pick up your vehicle in Canberra and return it to a Redspot Melbourne branch. It’ll save you from doubling back or adding extra kilometres to the trip. To add a one-way rental to your booking, head to the Extras section on the online booking form and tick the ‘One Way Fee’ box. Then you’re good to go. You can also choose the refuel option that suits your trip. Pre-pay, post-pay, or fill up the tank yourself before drop-off. Need a few extras for the drive? Add baby seat hire, a Toll Pass Waiver, or other rental accessories when you book. Standard passenger and leisure vehicles come with unlimited kilometres around Australia, so you can enjoy the Canberra to Melbourne drive without watching the odometer. Kilometre limits may apply when hiring a van, truck or ute, so call our friendly team on 1300 668 810 to check before you book. Note: 24/7 vehicle drop-offs are available unless stated otherwise. After-hours pick-up may be available on request, subject to availability.
Booking is simple. When you make your reservation online, head to the Extras section and select the One Way Fee. That is all it takes to lock it in.
Sort fuel your way with Redspot refuel options to match your plans. Pre-pay, post-pay, or refill it yourself before drop-off. You can also add handy extras like baby seats or a Toll Pass Waiver to keep things running smoothly on the road.
Unlimited km is included on standard passenger and leisure vehicles, so the road trip won’t be a problem at all. If you are hiring a van, truck, or ute, km limits may apply. Give the friendly team a call on 1300 668 810 to double-check before you set off.
Note: 24/7 vehicle drop-offs are available unless stated otherwise. After-hours pick-up can be arranged on request, subject to availability.
Pick up in Canberra:
Drop off in Melbourne:
Meet Our Fleet
Make the trip from Canberra to Melbourne easier with our one-way car rentals. Our team can help you plan a simple pick-up in Canberra and drop-off in Melbourne, without the need to circle back. Choose from our range of vehicles and set off at your own pace. Whether you’re travelling for work, heading away with family, or making the most of the drive through regional Victoria, we’ll help you get on the road with less fuss.
We’ll help you pack the right rental car add-ons for your Canberra to Melbourne trip, so the drive feels easy from pick-up to drop-off. Travelling with kids? Add child seat hire to your booking so little passengers are safely strapped in for the ride. Heading into Melbourne traffic? Our Toll Road Waiver can come in handy for toll roads around the city.
Small Car Hire
From economy and compacts to intermediate cars like the Toyota Corolla, you can’t go past our diverse small car fleet! These affordable, fuel-efficient rides are perfect for solo travellers and small groups.
Sedan Hire
Spot your road trip with our range of versatile sedans, featuring a rotation of your fave brands. Get rolling to Australia’s vibrant coffee capital in the reliable 5-seater car we all know and love.
Minibus and Minivan Hire
Round up your crew and hit the road with our spacious 8–12 seater minibus and minivan hire. Whether you’re on a family getaway or group adventure, we’ve got the right ride to back it.
Baby Seats & Other Accessories
We’ll have you fully loaded with Redspot’s rental car add-ons, making your travels between A & B a smooth ride from start to finish!
Travelling with little ones? Our child seat hire will keep your kids safely strapped in for the journey. Plus, our convenient Toll Road Waiver makes it easy to navigate the tolls along the way, so you can focus on the adventure ahead.
One-way Moving House Car Hire
Whether you need a roomy SUV, a sedan, or extra space for the big move, we can help you get from Canberra to Melbourne without doubling back. Pick up your rental car in Canberra, load your gear, and head south when you’re ready. When you arrive in Melbourne, drop the car at one of our Melbourne branches and get straight into unpacking, settling in, or finding the nearest coffee.
Is it better to fly or drive from Canberra to Melbourne?
Driving or flying from Canberra to Melbourne comes down to what matters most for your trip. Flying is quicker, while driving gives you more control over your day, your stops, and how much gear you bring along. With a one-way car rental, you can skip airport queues, baggage limits and the rush to get from the airport into the city. Pack the boot, choose your route and take the drive at your own pace, whether you’re heading straight down the Hume or stopping along the way. We may be a little biased, but after more than 35 years in Aussie car rentals, we reckon the Canberra to Melbourne drive is well worth taking by the wheel.
Redspot Driver Facts.
Rev-Up for Young Drivers:
We are one of the few car rental companies to have a minimum driver age of 21 (mine-spec and commercial vehicles included).
Maximum Age is No Barrier:
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences:
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light for leisure, commercial and mine-spec vehicles – one of the few Aussie companies that do!
Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Overseas visitors welcome:
Explore every Aussie hotspot with Redspot! Temporary overseas visitors can hire a car with:
- A full valid driver’s licence and passport
- Licences must have photo identification
- If the licence is not in English then you will need an official translated document from your embassy or road traffic authority in your home country
- Some countries may need to apply for an international driver’s permit
Family-friendly car hire:
Redspot is a family-run business and selects modern SUVs, sedans and people carriers for family comfort. With a range of baby, child and booster seats available to hire, the little ones don’t miss out.
Credit Card Condition:
Cover your back and ours. All rental cars require a credit card at pick-up for a pre-authorisation.
Fuel Flexibility:
Pre-pay, post-pay or refuel your rental car yourself. Redspot makes it easy to keep a full tank for an Australian adventure.
Local P-Platers and Full Licences:
Redspot Car Rentals gives P-platers the green light – one of the few Aussie companies that do! Our safety rules include:
- You must hold a Provisional P2 driver’s licence (green Ps).
- Your full driver’s licence must be valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.
Maximum age is no barrier:
With Redspot, age is just a number! There is no maximum age to hit the road.
Toll-road Tricks:
Buy peace of mind with a Redspot toll road waiver and say goodbye to unexpected charges.
Redspot: Where every rental is spot-on.
Fully Aussie-owned and operated
Founded, owned and operated by local Aussie family for over 35 years!
Personalised care
Our small, dedicated teams in over 40 spots around Australia are here to help out wherever the road takes you.
Amazing value
Get the most bang for your buck with our all-inclusive packages and customisable options in between.
No hidden costs
All taxes and GST with no extra fees are included in our rates.
24/7 roadside assistance
All our rental cars are covered by 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance.
A Track Record of Satisfied Customers in Australia
For over 35 years, Redspot has provided smooth rides for our local and international customers with top-notch leisure and commercial vehicles. Buckle up and explore their road-worthy experiences here:
Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!
We’ve got your back with 24/7 roadside assistance so you never have to worry about being stranded. For an even smoother car rental experience, we have designed three packages for damage and liability coverage and extra services!
Package prices will be calculated based on the rental period and the vehicle you select. Proceed to the car rental booking page for a quote.
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $5,200 to $6,200 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Executive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $0 standard liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key.
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
Popular Stops From Canberra to Melbourne
Yass
Start your Canberra to Melbourne road trip with a stop in Yass, a country town with heritage streets, local cafes and a slower pace before you join the Hume. It’s a handy first break if you want to grab coffee, stretch your legs and ease into the drive.
Gundagai
Gundagai is a classic Hume Highway stop with plenty of road trip character. Pull in for a meal break, visit the Dog on the Tuckerbox, or take a look at the historic Prince Alfred Bridge before getting back on the road.
Albury-Wodonga
Sitting on the NSW and Victoria border, Albury-Wodonga is a great halfway stop for the Canberra to Melbourne drive. Walk by the Murray River, stop for lunch, or spend a little time at the Murray Art Museum Albury if you’re making a longer day of it.
Beechworth
Take a detour to Beechworth for gold rush history, good food, and one of Victoria’s best-loved country town stops. Wander past old sandstone buildings, visit local cafes, or add a little Ned Kelly history to your road trip before heading back towards Melbourne.
Glenrowan
Glenrowan is a small stop with a big place in Australian bushranger history. It’s closely tied to the Ned Kelly story and makes an easy break along the Hume Highway when you want something more interesting than a quick servo stop.
Benalla
Benalla is a relaxed final country stop before Melbourne, known for its art, gardens and easy access from the Hume. Stop for a walk, grab a bite, or take a breather before the last stretch into the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Canberra and leave it in Melbourne?
Yes, you can arrange one-way car hire from Canberra to Melbourne (subject to availability). Pick up in Canberra, drop off in Melbourne, and skip the return drive. To plan your trip, contact our friendly team by phone or email. We’ll help you sort the details, add any extras you need, and get you ready to hit the road.
Is it more expensive to rent a car one way in Australia?
When it comes to one-way rentals, fees will vary depending on factors including the requested pick-up and drop-off locations, plus vehicle availability. The one-way fee covers the cost of relocating the vehicle back to its original location. Typically, the further you want to travel, the more one-way rentals can save you on time and fuel costs that you’d otherwise spend heading back to your journey’s starting point!
We recommend comparing your total trip costs if you choose one-way vs standard returns. With Redspot, you can check rates and vehicle availability through our online booking tool so you can determine what’s best for your plans.
How many kilometres can I drive in a day in a Redspot car hire?
For maximum freedom, there are no km limits for our standard car rentals including compact, sedans, hybrids, and SUVs.
However, as Australia is such a big and beautiful country (bigger than Europe in land mass!), there are some instances where we have to impose a km limit to help maintain our vehicles:
- If you need a van, truck, or ute for a business car hire
- If you head to remote locations, such as Alice Springs or Darwin
For more info, please contact our friendly team at 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to find the best fit for your plans.
Is it worth it to drive from Canberra to Melbourne?
This comes down to what you want from the trip. Flying is usually quicker, so it can make sense if you need to get to Melbourne fast. Driving gives you more freedom, more room for luggage, and the chance to see more of regional Australia along the way. For a memorable Canberra to Melbourne drive, we recommend taking the inland route along the Hume Highway, with stops like Yass, Gundagai, Albury-Wodonga, Beechworth, Glenrowan and Benalla. It’s a great way to break up the trip, enjoy country towns, and arrive in Melbourne with a few good stories from the road. Stick to sealed roads in your Redspot rental and plan your stops before you go, especially if you’re travelling with kids, pets, or a packed boot.
What is the oldest age to drive a rental car?
At Redspot, there’s no maximum age limit! We say that age is just a number. Whether you’re a retiree, hold a seniors card, or you’re just young at heart, we welcome anyone over 21 to rent with us and keep their adventures rolling.
What is the minimum age to rent a car with Redspot?
For most Aussie car rental companies, the minimum age is 25. However, with Redspot, we don’t think age should keep you from getting the job done! Drivers from 21 years old are welcome to rent with us, including commercial and mine-spec vehicles.
Check out our Young Drivers guide for all the details to get you rolling. (Note: Vehicle size restrictions for Young Drivers do not apply to mine-spec and commercial vehicles. Speak with your employer to confirm details.)
What are the road conditions between Canberra and Melbourne?
Roads from Canberra to Melbourne are generally well maintained, with most drivers taking sealed major roads via the Hume Highway and Hume Freeway. Before you leave, check the latest updates for closures, roadworks, crashes, or weather-related delays across the ACT, NSW and Victoria. For official updates, use ACT road closures, Live Traffic NSW, and VicTraffic before and during your trip.
Want more info?
Contact our Redspot team for all the details for your next Canberra to Melbourne car rental.