Can you rent a car from Sydney to Canberra?
Absolutely! If you’re picking up your rental car in Sydney and planning to drop it off in Canberra, Redspot has got you covered with our convenient one-way rentals. Reach out to our friendly team by phone, email, or through our online contact form, and we’ll get your journey started!
One way rental Sydney to Canberra
Explore Australia your way with our flexible one-way rentals, allowing you to pick up your ride in Sydney and drop it off in Canberra with ease. Saving you time, effort, and fuel costs—it’s all part of the deal!
Simply head to the Extras section on your online booking form, check the ‘One Way Fee’ box, and you’re all set!
Fuel your journey with your choice of Redspot refuel options. Whether you want to pre-pay, post-pay, or fill it up yourself, we’ve got it sorted. Plus, our range of rental car accessories, from baby seat hires to Toll Pass Waivers, ensures you have a smooth ride ahead.
With unlimited km on standard passenger and leisure Redspot vehicles, you can enjoy the freedom to roam without worrying about distance. However, km restrictions may apply to vans, trucks, or utes. Feel free to reach out to our friendly team at 1300 668 810 to confirm, and we’ll make sure your trip goes smoothly.
Note: 24/7 vehicle drop-offs are available, unless otherwise specified. After-hours pickup is available upon request (subject to availability).”
Pickup in Sydney:
Drop off in Canberra:
Meet Our Fleet
Make your journey from Sydney to Canberra easier with Redspot’s flexible one-way rentals! Our local experts are here to help you drive seamlessly from city to city.
Explore our wide range of vehicles, with multiple convenient pickup and drop-off locations in both Sydney and Canberra, ensuring an unforgettable road trip experience.

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 Sydney to Melbourne ride 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 equipped with Redspot’s rental car add-ons, ensuring your travels between Sydney and Canberra are smooth 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’re after a spacious SUV or a reliable sedan, your personal belongings are covered for the big move. Simply pick up from one of our 5 Sydney car hire locations, load up your gear, and head south to your new chapter in Canberra. Our friendly team at one of our Canberra branches will be ready to take the rental car off your hands, so you can get straight to unpacking and settling in.
One-Way Trucks and Moving Accessories
Comfy couch you can’t live without? Sorted. Dream fridge you finally saved up for? Packed and ready. With a range of trucks, utes, and handy moving accessories, you can flex those muscles and do the big move your way. Our trucks come with a daily kilometre allowance of 100 km, with a small fee for extra distance depending on the vehicle.
One-Way Rentals Made Easy – A Small Relocation Fee for Huge Convenience
Go further, without the detour! With Redspot’s flexible one-way rentals, you can explore Australia your way, no need to circle back. You’ll save on time, fuel, and effort, making the most of every journey on the open Aussie road.
To help us keep our fleet moving, a small relocation fee may apply. This fee covers the cost of relocating your vehicle back to its original location. But if your route helps us too, we may be able to waive it – simply contact our friendly team on 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to find out.
How long does it take to drive from Sydney to Canberra?
The shortest route from Sydney to Canberra takes about 3 hours of non-stop drive time (286.5 km) via the Federal Highway. With rest and meal stops included, the trip will realistically take about 4-5 hours if you’re aiming for a quick arrival.
Alternatively, take your time and explore the sights along the way, enjoying one of Australia’s scenic drives and making the journey part of the adventure!
Is it better to fly or drive from Sydney to Canberra?
Whether you’re driving or flying, it all comes down to your priorities! Flying is quicker, but driving gives you the chance to take in scenic views and explore Australia’s stunning nature. Plus, you might even make a few kangaroo friends on your way to Canberra.
By driving, you can also avoid airport baggage checks, long queues, and public transport to the city centre. Compare both options before you head off to see what works best for your time and budget. (We may be biased, but we’re all for the drive—after all, we’ve been in the Aussie car rental game for over 35 years!)
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.
6 Popular Stops From Sydney to Canberra

Berrima
Berrima is a charming historic town that makes a perfect first stop on your way to Canberra. Wander through its 19th-century streets, explore heritage-listed buildings, and visit the Berrima Courthouse. Don’t forget to try some local gourmet treats while you’re in town!
Goulburn
Add Goulburn to your itinerary for a delightful break in Australia’s first inland city. Known for its heritage charm, Goulburn boasts the Big Merino, a huge sheep statue, as well as great opportunities for picnicking by the Wollondilly River, visiting historic buildings, and exploring local art galleries.


Bungendore
Bungendore is a great spot for a peaceful pit stop before reaching Canberra. Famous for its thriving arts and craft scene, you can explore galleries, shop for unique handmade goods, and enjoy a quiet moment in this scenic village. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery.
Lake George
Lake George, often considered one of Australia’s mysterious natural wonders, offers a quiet and reflective stop on your road trip. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the vast, empty lake bed, and it’s an ideal spot for a picnic or to snap a few pictures of the unique landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Sydney and leave it in Canberra?
Yes, absolutely! Redspot offers one-way car hire between any of our branches in Sydney and Canberra, subject to availability. Wherever you plan to finish your journey, we’re here to make it happen. Simply reach out to our friendly team by phone or email to arrange your plans, and get ready for a smooth drive!
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 Sydney to Canberra?
This depends on your priorities. If you’re short on time, flying may be the quicker option. But if you’re keen to experience stunning natural landscapes, open roads, and the freedom to explore, driving is the perfect way to take in Australia’s beauty.
For the most scenic drive from Sydney to Canberra, we recommend taking the route through the Southern Highlands. Stop by charming towns like Berrima and Goulburn, enjoy the views around Lake George, and take in the tranquil countryside before arriving in the nation’s capital. It’s a drive you’ll remember!
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 Sydney and Canberra?
The road conditions from Sydney to Canberra are generally well-maintained and easy to navigate. However, it’s always a good idea to stay updated on the latest traffic conditions through the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory government websites for any roadworks, accidents, or other incidents that may affect your journey.
Want more info?
Contact our Redspot team for all the details for your next Sydney to Canberra car rental.