Alice Springs to Cairns: Road Trip Guide & Distance

901.4 miles 1450.7 km · straight line
1421.1 miles actual route 2287 km · driving distance
25h 53min estimated drive time
AUD 268 - AUD 329 estimated fuel cost
~2h 19min flight time
61° ENE bearing direction

How far is Alice Springs from Cairns?

The distance from Alice Springs to Cairns is 901.4 miles (1450.7 km) as the crow flies. Cairns is located ENE of Alice Springs. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1421.1 miles, taking about 25h 53min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 19min. Both are located in Australia — Alice Springs in Northern Territory and Cairns 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 Alice Springs and Cairns. 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 Alice Springs to Cairns

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 25h 53min AUD 268 - AUD 329 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 19min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~31h 4min $114–$213* Budget
Train ~33h 39min $171–$497* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Alice Springs & Cairns

Quick Facts

Alice Springs
23.70°S, 133.88°E
Australia/Darwin
576m elevation
Cairns
16.92°S, 145.78°E
Australia/Brisbane
0m elevation
Explore more routes from Cairns

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 300 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 75 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 27.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM