Best Road Trips in Australia to Share with a Carpool Buddy in 2026

Australia is made for road trips. Wide open highways, stunning coastlines, red desert landscapes, and charming country towns — there’s nothing quite like hitting the road Down Under. But road trips can be expensive, especially with petrol prices in 2026 sitting well above $2 per litre.

The solution? Share the journey. Carpooling with a buddy (or a few) through RideMates means you split fuel costs, share the driving, and have someone to enjoy the adventure with.

Here are the best road trips in Australia to share in 2026.

1. Great Ocean Road — Melbourne to Warrnambool

Distance: 243 km | Drive time: 3–4 hours (with stops, allow a full day)

One of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. Highlights include the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, Bells Beach, and the charming town of Apollo Bay. Sharing this drive means one person can enjoy the views while the other drives the winding roads.

Estimated fuel cost: $50 | Split 2 ways: $25 each

2. Pacific Highway — Sydney to Byron Bay

Distance: 772 km | Drive time: 8–9 hours

The classic east coast road trip. Stop at the Hunter Valley for wine, Port Macquarie for dolphins, Coffs Harbour for the Big Banana, and arrive in Byron Bay for sunset. This is one of the most popular rideshare routes on RideMates.

Estimated fuel cost: $160 | Split 3 ways: $53 each

3. Adelaide to Melbourne via the Limestone Coast

Distance: 730 km | Drive time: 8 hours

Take the scenic route through Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake, the Coorong National Park, and the famous Naracoorte Caves. A great alternative to the Western Highway and much more interesting with company.

Estimated fuel cost: $150 | Split 2 ways: $75 each

4. Brisbane to Cairns — The Ultimate Queensland Road Trip

Distance: 1,700 km | Drive time: 19 hours (best done over 3–5 days)

From the Gold Coast to the Whitsundays to the Great Barrier Reef, this is the ultimate Australian road trip. Key stops include Noosa, Hervey Bay (whale watching), Airlie Beach, and Townsville.

Estimated fuel cost: $350 | Split 3 ways: $117 each

5. Perth to Margaret River

Distance: 277 km | Drive time: 3 hours

Wine country awaits. Margaret River offers world-class wineries, surf breaks, caves, and incredible local produce. A perfect weekend road trip to share with friends or fellow travellers.

Estimated fuel cost: $55 | Split 2 ways: $28 each

6. Hobart to Cradle Mountain

Distance: 175 km | Drive time: 2.5 hours

Tasmania’s wilderness is breathtaking, and Cradle Mountain is the crown jewel. Stop at Sheffield (the Town of Murals) on the way. Having a carpool buddy makes the remote stretches more enjoyable and safer.

Estimated fuel cost: $35 | Split 2 ways: $18 each

How to Find a Carpool Buddy on RideMates

Finding someone to share your road trip with is easy:

Download RideMates
Post your road trip route with your dates and available seats
Set a fair price per seat to split fuel costs
Wait for bookings — or search for existing rides on your route
Chat with your co-traveller, meet up, and hit the road

Why Carpool Your Road Trip?

Save 50–75% on fuel by splitting costs
Share the driving on long distances
Meet interesting people from around Australia and the world
Reduce your environmental impact
Safer than driving solo on remote stretches

Ready to plan your next road trip? Get the RideMates app and start sharing the journey.