VIC · SA · Return trip
Melbourne ⇄ Adelaide
The Western and Dukes highways connect Melbourne and Adelaide in a single relaxed day of driving. Fast charging in the larger regional towns keeps stops short, and the Grampians make an easy scenic detour along the way.
Highway
A8 Western & Dukes Highway
Distance (one way)
730 km
Drive time
≈ 8 hours
Fast chargers
40+
Interactive route planner
Melbourne to Adelaide · A8 Western & Dukes Highway
Route
Melbourne to Adelaide
- Highway
- A8 Western & Dukes Highway
- Distance
- 745 km
- Drive time
- 8 hr 35 min
Loading map
Major charging stops
Key towns with DC fast charging along the route. Check live availability in Plugroo before each leg.
Ballarat
Goldfields city, first major charging hub
Ararat
Gateway to the Grampians, quick top-up
Horsham
Wimmera hub, reliable fast charging
Bordertown
First South Australian charging stop
Tailem Bend
Last major charge before Adelaide
Along the way
- A detour to the Grampians (Gariwerd) near Ararat
- Ballarat’s goldfields heritage and Sovereign Hill
- The Coorong wetlands south-east of Adelaide
Charging tips
- Cross the state border with a good buffer — chargers thin out between Horsham and Bordertown.
- Remember South Australia is 30 minutes behind Victoria when planning charging stops and arrival times.
- The Grampians detour adds range demand; charge fully at Ararat before heading in.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I drive Melbourne to Adelaide in one day in an EV?
- Yes. At around 730 km, the drive is a comfortable single day for most EVs with two or three fast-charging stops in the larger regional towns.
- Where are the charging gaps on this route?
- The longest gap is around the Victoria–South Australia border between Horsham and Bordertown, so make sure you leave Horsham with enough range and a comfortable buffer.