Outback driving, fuel and distance
Outback routes need a fuel and rest plan for each leg. Main Roads WA advises carrying extra fuel for long distances and enough food and water for two to three days beyond the intended travel time. A hire car may also have a kilometre allowance, so check it and the roads your agreement allows before departure.
Updated
Key facts
- Water and food
- Main Roads WA advises supplies for two to three days beyond intended travel time
- Fuel
- Carry extra fuel where long distances require it
- Rest stops
- More than 1,600 designated roadside stopping and rest areas in WA
- Road trains
- Need more stopping distance than cars
- Kilometres
- Hertz agreements can set a daily allowance and a charge for extra distance
- WA road status
- Main Roads WA Travel Map shows live closures and road conditions
How should you plan fuel stops?
List the next confirmed fuel outlet before leaving each town and do not base the plan on a single small roadhouse being open. Main Roads WA recommends extra fuel for long distances and food and water to last two to three days past your intended travel time. Keep this in mind on remote detours.
How far should you drive in a day?
Distance alone is a poor guide on a long drive. Fatigue is a major hazard on long regional drives, so stop when tired and swap drivers every two hours. WA has more than 1,600 designated roadside stopping and rest areas, and the Main Roads WA Travel Map can help you find one.
How do you share the road with road trains?
Road trains take longer to stop than cars, so give them more space and time. Do not cut in front of a road train that is slowing or turning, and do not overtake one that is turning. Overtake only when you can see enough clear road ahead.
What should you ask before hiring?
Check the vehicle’s kilometre allowance, the charge for extra kilometres, the roads your agreement allows and the breakdown procedure. Hertz, for example, says any daily allowance is shown on the rental agreement and can vary with the vehicle and the rental location. A cheap city rate may be a poor fit for a long remote itinerary.
Compare cars at Alice Springs Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
Preparing live car hire search
Questions people ask
How much fuel should I carry in the outback?
Plan each leg to a confirmed fuel outlet and carry extra where the route requires it.
Do hire cars have unlimited kilometres in Australia?
Not always. Hertz, for example, may limit distance depending on the vehicle and pickup location, with a charge for extra kilometres. Check the allowance on your agreement.
What supplies should I carry?
Carry enough food and water for two to three days beyond your intended journey time on remote trips.
Are road trains difficult to pass?
They need more distance to stop and turn. Give them space and overtake only when you can see enough clear road ahead.