Northern Territory

Carpool and Rideshare Across Darwin

Darwin sits at the top of the Stuart Highway, the only sealed road in or out, and the closest capital is 1,500 km away. Distances are huge, fuel is expensive, and public transport thins out fast past the city limits. RideMates connects you with drivers heading down the highway so you can share fuel on the run to Kakadu, Litchfield, Katherine, and the long haul south to Alice Springs.

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Popular routes

Rides out of Darwin

The routes drivers post most often. Tap through for live pricing, stops, and what to expect.

Darwin

to Katherine

315 km3h 30m
Typical seat: $20 to $26

Darwin

to Kakadu

255 km3h
Typical seat: $16 to $23

Darwin

to Litchfield

115 km1h 30m
Typical seat: $12 to $14

Darwin

to Alice Springs

1495 km16h+
Typical seat: $94 to $129

Darwin

to Mataranka

425 km4h 30m
Typical seat: $26 to $38

Why Darwin

Built for the way Darwin moves

Kakadu and Litchfield Weekends

Most Top End drivers run weekend trips to the national parks. Cheaper than a tour bus, more flexible than a rental, and you split fuel on a 200 km round trip.

FIFO and Mining Connections

Resource workers fly into Darwin and carpool to remote sites and back. Recurring rides to Katherine, Tennant Creek, and the Stuart Highway mining hubs.

Backpackers Heading South

The Darwin to Alice Springs run is one of Australia's classic backpacker drives. Drivers post the multi-day haul most weeks during dry season.

Coverage

Rides from every corner of Darwin

Drivers post rides from across Darwin and surrounding suburbs, including:

Darwin CBDPalmerstonCasuarinaNightcliffParapStuart ParkFannie BayBayviewLarrakeyahCoconut Grove

FAQ

Darwin carpooling questions

How much is a Darwin to Katherine carpool?

Typical seats are around $35 to $50 for the 3 hour 30 minute drive south. Cheaper than the Greyhound and direct to your suburb.

Can I carpool from Darwin to Alice Springs?

Yes. Drivers post the 1,495 km Stuart Highway run regularly during dry season (May to October). Most are 2-day trips with an overnight stop in Tennant Creek or Katherine.

What about the wet season?

From November to April, parts of the Stuart Highway and side roads can flood. Darwin to Katherine and Kakadu rides keep running, but check the road conditions before you book a long-haul ride.

Are there carpools to the national parks?

Yes. Litchfield day trips and Kakadu weekend rides are some of the most posted routes out of Darwin. Search the app and filter by date.

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