Can you rent a car from Melbourne to Canberra?
Yes, you can. Pick up your rental in Melbourne and drop it off in Canberra with our flexible one-way option. Getting on the road is simple. Give us a call, send an email or use our online form, and we’ll sort the details so you can focus on the drive ahead.
One way rental Melbourne to Canberra
Travel between Melbourne and Canberra your way with our flexible one-way rentals. Pick up in one city, drop off in the other, and keep your trip moving without the backtrack. Booking is easy. When you reserve online, head to the Extras section and select the one-way option to get started. You’ve got options when it comes to fuel. Pay upfront, sort it out later, or fill up before returning the car. You can also add handy extras like child seats or a Toll Road Waiver to make the drive smoother. Most standard passenger vehicles come with unlimited kilometres, so you can enjoy the run from Melbourne to Canberra without checking the distance. If you’re hiring a van, truck or ute, kilometre limits may apply, so it’s worth giving our team a call on 1300 668 810 before you head off. Need flexibility? We offer after-hours drop-off at most locations, with pickup outside standard hours available on request, depending on 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 Melbourne:
Drop off in Canberra:
Meet Our Fleet
Make the trip from Melbourne to Canberra easy with our flexible one-way rentals. We’re here to help you hit the road and enjoy the drive between two of Australia’s best cities. Explore our wide range of vehicles, with convenient pick-up points across Melbourne and simple drop-off options in Canberra. It’s all set up so you can focus on the journey, not the logistics.
We’ll set you up with the right extras to make your trip from Melbourne to Canberra feel easy from the moment you start the engine. Travelling with kids? Our child seat hire keeps everyone सुरक्षित and comfortable for the drive. Planning to pass through toll roads along the way? Add a Toll Road Waiver and keep things simple without worrying about extra charges popping up later. It’s all about making your drive smoother, so you can focus on the road ahead.
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
Need more room for the move? From spacious SUVs to reliable sedans, we’ve got options to suit your plans and everything you need to carry. Pick up from one of our Melbourne locations, load up, and start the drive to Canberra. When you arrive, simply drop the keys with our team and get straight into settling into your new place.
Is it better to fly or drive from Melbourne to Canberra?
Choosing between driving and flying comes down to what matters most for your trip. Flying gets you there quicker, but driving gives you the chance to take in the scenery, pull over when something catches your eye, and enjoy more of what Australia has to offer along the way. When you drive, you also skip the airport queues, baggage limits and the extra leg into the city. It is worth comparing both options before you decide, but if you ask us, getting behind the wheel is all part of the experience.
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 Melbourne to Canberra
Albury-Wodonga
Right on the NSW and Victoria border, Albury-Wodonga is a natural first stop to stretch your legs. Walk along the Murray River, grab a bite at a local café, or take a quick detour to explore nearby parks before getting back on the road.
Holbrook
This small town is home to the HMAS Otway submarine, sitting right in the middle of town. It’s an easy and interesting stop to break up the drive and learn something a little unexpected along the way.
Gundagai
Famous for the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue, Gundagai is a classic Aussie roadside stop. Take a short break, snap a photo, and enjoy the views of the Murrumbidgee River before continuing north.
Jugiong
A quiet riverside village with a great food scene, Jugiong is perfect for a relaxed stop. Grab a coffee, browse the local stores, or sit down for a meal at the historic pub before hitting the road again.
Yass
Just outside Canberra, Yass is known for its heritage streets and wineries. It’s a great final stop to unwind before the last stretch, whether you are after a quick bite or a scenic wander.
Lake George
As you get closer to Canberra, Lake George offers wide open views that feel completely different depending on water levels. It’s worth pulling over for a quick look before finishing your trip into the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Melbourne and leave it in Canberra?
Yes, you can. We offer one-way car hire between our Melbourne and Canberra locations, subject to availability. Pick up in Melbourne and drop off in Canberra, whichever works best for your plans. To get started, give us a call or send an email, and we’ll help lock everything in so you can hit the road without the hassle.
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 Melbourne to Canberra?
It comes down to what matters most for your trip. If you’re short on time, flying gets you there faster. If you want to enjoy the journey, getting behind the wheel gives you more freedom and flexibility along the way. For a more scenic drive from Melbourne to Canberra, skip the direct inland route and head towards the coast first. Pass through Phillip Island, continue along to Lakes Entrance, then loop back inland via Eden and Cooma before arriving in Canberra. It’s a longer run, but you’ll trade highway driving for coastal views and memorable stops.
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 Melbourne and Canberra?
The drive from Melbourne to Canberra follows well-maintained highways that are easy to navigate, making it a comfortable trip for most drivers. Before you head off, it’s a good idea to check for any roadworks, traffic updates or incidents on official sites like VicRoads and Transport for NSW. A quick check can help you plan ahead and keep your trip running smoothly.
Want more info?
Contact our Redspot team for all the details for your next Melbourne to Canberra car rental.