Cairns to Townsville: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Cairns from Townsville?

The distance from Cairns to Townsville is 175.7 miles (282.8 km) as the crow flies. Townsville is located SSE of Cairns. By car, the driving distance is approximately 214.2 miles, taking about 4h 42min. A direct flight would take roughly 51min. Both are located in Australia.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Cairns and Townsville. 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.