Perth, Australia → Melbourne, Australia · ✈ 3h 54min · 🚗 44h 14min
1,470 nautical miles · Time difference: +2h ahead · Direction: southeast
The distance from Perth to Melbourne is 2,722 km (1,691 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 3h 54min.
The straight-line distance from Perth, Australia to Melbourne, Australia is approximately 2,722 kilometers (1,691 miles or 1,470 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Melbourne is located southeast of Perth. Perth is in Oceania, in the Western Australia region of Australia, while Melbourne is in Oceania, in Victoria, Australia. Both cities are in Oceania.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 2,722 km | ~3h 54min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~3,539 km | ~44h 14min | Long journey, consider stops |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Perth to Melbourne. For 2,722 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 3,539 km, fuel costs for driving from Perth to Melbourne are approximately $283–$531 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Perth sits at 31.9505°S, 115.8605°E, while Melbourne is located at 37.8136°S, 144.9631°E. The initial compass bearing from Perth to Melbourne is 112° (ESE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Perth heading roughly ESE. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 5.86° and the longitude difference is 29.10°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Perth and Melbourne is approximately 35.7621°S, 129.8809°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 1,361 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Melbourne is roughly 2 hours ahead of Perth. When it is 09:00 in Perth, it is approximately 11:00 in Melbourne. A 2-hour shift is small enough that most travelers adjust within a day. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Perth is a major city in Australia with a population of approximately 2,085,973. Located in the Western Australia region, it is an important hub in Oceania. Perth is a significant metropolitan area in Australia with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Perth
Melbourne is a notable city in Australia with a population of approximately 5,078,193. Situated in the Victoria region, it serves as a key destination in Oceania. Melbourne is one of Australia's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
→ See all distances from Melbourne
2,722 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
The 2,722 km between Perth and Melbourne means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 9.1 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 3h 54min.
Despite both being in Australia, Perth and Melbourne are 2,722 km apart — a reminder of how vast the country is. Flying is the only practical option, and the journey likely involves crossing multiple climate zones and time zones.
See how the Perth to Melbourne distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Perth to Melbourne is approximately 2,722 kilometers (1,691 miles, 1,470 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 3h 54min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 44h 14min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Melbourne is approximately +2h ahead compared to Perth.
The estimated road distance is approximately 3,539 km, which is about 30% longer than the 2,722 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.