Hi-How long does it actually take to drive from Sydney to Brisbane to Cairns if you don't stop very much. Are the highways in good condition? Also, what are the speed limits? Thanx!

According to the Map Maker feature of the Travelmate.com.au website Sydney to Brisbane is 940 km in distance and 11 hours 15 minutes in driving time (not counting stops).

Brisbane to Cairns is 1715 km in distance and 20 hours 45 minutes in driving time (without stops).

Having flown to Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns, I cannot say from experience if the highways on that route are in good condition. The other Australian highways and secondary roads on which I have driven have been good.

I understand that some sections of road in Queensland, like the Tully River Crossing, are prone to flooding during The Wet. But you've said in other posts that you'll be travelling in May, so I think that's pretty much past the flooding season. The Queenslanders on the forum will be able to confirm or deny that.

The speed limit outside of built up areas in Queensland is 100 km/h (62 mph). In built up areas (defined as areas that have street lighting) it's 60 km/h (37 mph), and in residential neighbourhoods it's 50 km/h (31 mph).

In New South Wales the urban speed limit is 50 km/h, and the speed limit on freeways varies from 100 km/hr to 110 km/hr (68 mph).

Well, as I said, I haven't driven from Sydney to Cairns, and it's been a while since I've driven south of Sydney, but that's what a Google search brings up.

See Australian Traffic Rules:

http://goaustralia.about.com/cs/prac.../ausdrive3.htm

and Driving in Queensland:

http://www.meteorrentals.com.au/inde...&PageID=28

But the Fodorites who know the routes between Sydney and Cairns say over and over again that, while there are sections of the route that are scenic, and there are things of interest to see at some points along the way, there also are long sections that are "as boring as batshit" (and I didn't make that up myself).

It's cheaper to fly than it is to drive that distance. Look at the fares on Virgin Blue, Jet Star and even the seat sales on Qantas.

I'm not saying don't drive at all. What I'm saying is pick a stretch that you're really interested in driving, and fly the rest. If you're just going to climb into your car and drive day after day without stopping to smell the roses, I believe it will be horribly boring.

Would you recommend that an Australian visiting the United States drive from Los Angeles to Denver and on to Chicago? Sydney to Cairns via Brisbane is just a bit longer than that. I personally would never recommend that to an overseas visitor to the U.S. I think their time would be better spent "cherry picking" the best spots along the way.

And just in case you're under the impression that the so called coastal route actually follows the coastline all the way, the Aussies here have disabused me of that notion.

Alissa17, are you really contemplating driving from Sydney to Cairns????
If you have plenty of time to spare, then "slowly" driving this lengthy drive can be rewarding, if you have plenty of advice on what to see, and diversions along the way, otherwise, fly from Sydney to Cairns, and its all over in just over 2 hrs.
If you plan to drive, there are plenty of interesting places & things to see along the way, and many Aussies on this Forum will give you excellent advice, but if your question, is a "generalised" question, then say so, so that we on this board, will know exactly what your plans are!

We drove from Sydney to Cairns, but we did it over the course of a month of slow traveling. Virtually all the roads are of good quality, but much of the Bruce Highway in Queensland is a two lane country road that can be slow going, especially if you get caught behind a trailer towing sugar cane.

alissa: Not sure under what circumstances you might be considering a Sydney/Brisbane/Cairns drive. However, if it's a component of a vacation trip, I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a lot of time on your hands, say 4 weeks. Otherwise you just waste a disproportionate amount of your time driving and not really seeing anything. Not that there isn't a lot to see in-between, but the sights will mostly take extra time, effort and sizable detours.

Have done it many times, and only because I had to, and can tell you right now, don't bother unless you've a couple of weeks up your sleeve for stop-offs. Australia is nearly as big, geographically, as USA and with a population of only 20 million we don't have the highway routes of US. Total every shark, snake, crocodile, stinger, blue-ringed octopus etc fatality and it's a tiny fraction of our road toll. Speed limits vary according to road conditions. Its actually one hour flight Sydney-Brisbane and 2 hours Brisbane-Cairns, most flights these days are direct - so 3 hours is a small price to pay, and its much cheaper to fly, when you take into account gasoline, accommodation, food etc expenses on way.