Adelaide to Mackay: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1147.6 miles 1846.9 km · straight line
1493.9 miles actual route 2404.2 km · driving distance
30h 4min estimated drive time
AUD 281 - AUD 346 estimated fuel cost
~2h 49min flight time
37° NE bearing direction

How far is Adelaide from Mackay?

The distance from Adelaide to Mackay is 1147.6 miles (1846.9 km) as the crow flies. Mackay is located NE of Adelaide. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1493.9 miles, taking about 30h 4min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 49min. Both are located in Australia — Adelaide in South Australia and Mackay in Queensland.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Adelaide and Mackay. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Adelaide to Mackay

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 30h 4min AUD 281 - AUD 346 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 49min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~36h 5min $120–$224* Budget
Train ~39h 5min $179–$523* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Adelaide & Mackay

Quick Facts

Adelaide
34.93°S, 138.60°E
Australia/Adelaide
50m elevation
Mackay
21.15°S, 149.17°E
Australia/Brisbane
11m elevation
Explore more routes from Mackay

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 383 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 96 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 21.7 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM