Darwin to Alice Springs drive
Darwin to Alice Springs and the reverse are almost 1,500 km on the sealed Stuart Highway. Split the 400 km and 508 km legs across sensible days and check Road Report NT before departure. A normal 2WD can use the sealed main route, subject to its rental agreement; the one-way return, kilometre allowance and price must be confirmed for the exact direction and dates.
Updated
Key facts
- Distance
- Almost 1,500 km between Alice Springs and Darwin on the Stuart Highway
- Road surface
- The main Red Centre and Top End highlights on the route are reachable on bitumen roads, with no need for a 4WD; the Stuart Highway is a sealed highway
- Leg lengths
- Katherine to Darwin 317 km, Mataranka to Katherine 106 km, Daly Waters to Mataranka 167 km, Tennant Creek to Daly Waters 400 km, Alice Springs to Tennant Creek 508 km
- Speed limit
- 110 km/h outside built-up areas unless signed otherwise; some Stuart Highway sections are signed at up to 130 km/h
- Road trains
- Can have three trailers and be over 50 m long; overtaking one can take up to 2.5 km at 100 km/h, with at least 1 km of clear road ahead
- Animals
- Many NT roads are unfenced; animals are most active at sunrise, sunset and at night
- Fuel spacing
- Fuel is available every 200 to 300 km on the Stuart Highway
- Road conditions
- Road Report NT: roadreport.nt.gov.au or freecall 1800 246 199, including roads on Aboriginal land
Darwin to Alice Springs
almost 1,500 km on the Stuart Highway ยท Plan around the legs; rest 15 minutes every two hours
Katherine
317 km from Darwin
The first leg out of Darwin is 317 km. Katherine Hot Springs and Nitmiluk National Park are nearby.
Mataranka
423 km from Darwin (317 + 106)
Known for the palm-lined, spring-fed Mataranka Hot Springs.
Daly Waters
590 km from Darwin (423 + 167)
The Daly Waters Pub was built in 1930.
Tennant Creek
990 km from Darwin (590 + 400)
The 400 km leg to Daly Waters starts here. Kunjarra (The Pebbles), a sacred site, is 11 km north of town.
Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles)
On the Tennant Creek to Alice Springs leg, where the landscape is dotted with mammoth formations.
Alice Springs
about 1,498 km from Darwin (990 + 508)
The Tropic of Capricorn marker is 30 km north of Alice Springs, on the last stretch of the drive.
How far is it from Darwin to Alice Springs, and how long does it take?
The drive is almost 1,500 km. The legs from Alice Springs are 508 km to Tennant Creek, 400 km to Daly Waters, 167 km to Mataranka, 106 km to Katherine and 317 km to Darwin, which add up to 1,498 km. The distances from Darwin on this page are that sum worked out in the other direction.
The two longest stretches are the 400 km Tennant Creek to Daly Waters leg and the 508 km run between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Split the drive into daily sections at the towns above and stop for 15 minutes every two hours.
Is it safe to drive from Darwin to Alice Springs?
The highway is sealed, so the risks are distance, fatigue, animals and heavy vehicles rather than the surface. Take a 15 minute rest break every two hours. Many roads are unfenced, so kangaroos, cattle, horses, camels and birds can be on the road, and animals are most active at sunrise, sunset and at night, so take extra care then. If an animal is ahead, slow down and sound your horn rather than swerving.
Wet season flooding from November to April can close roads, and closed roads carry heavy fines. Check Road Report NT before each day's drive.
How do you pass a road train on the Stuart Highway?
Road trains are common in the Territory. They can have three trailers and be over 50 m long, and it can take up to 2.5 km to overtake one at 100 km/h. You need to see at least 1 km of clear road ahead before you pull out. Do not cut in front of one, and make sure the driver can see you in one of their mirrors.
On a single-lane highway, when a road train approaches from the front, slow down, pull off the road and drive slowly on the shoulder. At 100 km/h a car needs 157 m to stop and a truck needs 194 m, so leave more room in dust or wind.
Where do you get fuel between Darwin and Alice Springs?
Fuel is available every 200 to 300 km on the Stuart Highway, with more than ten fuel stops between Adelaide and Darwin. Remote service stations have restricted opening hours, and stations can have limited supply or temporary outages, so phone ahead or check myfuelnt.nt.gov.au or a Visitor Information Centre if you are near empty.
Fuel spacing matters most on the two longest legs, 400 km from Tennant Creek to Daly Waters and 508 km from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek, so top up at each roadhouse rather than relying on the gauge.
Can you hire one-way in either direction?
For Darwin to Alice Springs, select Darwin Airport or a Darwin depot as pickup and Alice Springs Airport as return. For Alice Springs to Darwin, start at Alice Springs Airport and choose Darwin Airport or an eligible city depot as return. The search below starts in Darwin; swap the fields to compare the northbound quote.
Hertz may allow a different return and charge a One Way Fee, with permission and the amount advised at reservation. It may also limit daily kilometres by pickup location or vehicle. On a nearly 1,500 km highway, compare the total allowance and excess rate against the route plus side trips. Check the accepted card and security bond so the amount reserved at pickup fits your travel budget.
The Stuart Highway is sealed, but side roads can have different conditions. Hertz restricts some unsealed and outback roads and treats driving through floodwater as prohibited use. Read your own agreement before adding a gorge, station or remote detour. Check Road Report NT for closures each day; an available 4WD does not itself authorise restricted roads.
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Questions people ask
How long is the drive from Darwin to Alice Springs?
It is almost 1,500 km on the sealed Stuart Highway. The legs run from 106 km to 508 km, so split it at Katherine, Daly Waters and Tennant Creek and take a 15 minute break every two hours.
Is it safe to drive from Darwin to Alice Springs?
Yes for a careful driver: the highway is sealed. The risks are fatigue, road trains, animals at dawn, dusk and night, and wet season closures from November to April. Check Road Report NT each day.
Can I drive from Alice Springs to Darwin in a 2WD hire car?
Yes, the Stuart Highway is sealed and the main highlights along it are on bitumen. The limits that matter are in your rental agreement, especially any unsealed road clause.
Where are the fuel stops between Darwin and Alice Springs?
Fuel is available every 200 to 300 km on the Stuart Highway. Katherine, Mataranka, Daly Waters and Tennant Creek all sit on the route, and the two longest legs are Alice Springs to Tennant Creek (508 km) and Tennant Creek to Daly Waters (400 km). Roadhouse hours vary, so phone ahead.
What is the speed limit on the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory?
The default outside built-up areas is 110 km/h unless a sign says otherwise. Some Stuart Highway sections are signed at up to 130 km/h.
Can I hire at Alice Springs Airport and return in Darwin?
Search Alice Springs Airport as pickup and Darwin Airport or an eligible city depot as return. Availability, one-way fees and kilometre terms depend on the exact offer.
Are unlimited kilometres included on this one-way route?
Do not assume so. Check the quoted kilometre allowance and excess rate before accepting a rental for the nearly 1,500 km route.