Drive times and distances

Tasmania’s compact size and diverse landscapes make for superb road trips.

Though you can cross the island from Hobart to Launceston in two-and-a-half hours, one of the pleasures of driving in Tasmania is heading down country lanes and taking the time to explore.

With no major freeways and many tempting detours, allow plenty of time to drive between destinations. Tasmania looks like a small island state, but don’t be fooled. It’s about the size of Ireland. Some roads are unsealed, or long and winding and it will be hard to resist pulling over to capture the sweeping views. 

There are five signposted drive journeys to follow – Great Eastern Drive, Western Wilds, Heartlands, Southern Edge and Northern Forage – and a raft of special interest trails covering wine, whisky, produce, convict history and more.

Plan your route and read our driving safety tips before heading out on a road trip. Remember:

• Always drive on the left side of the road and wear a seatbelt
• Drive to the speed limit – speed cameras operate in Tasmania
• Slow down and look out for animals on the road, particularly around dusk and dawn
• Don't rush – especially in poor weather, or on winding, gravelly and icy roads
• Pull off the road if you're stopping to take photos or to read maps.

Here’s a guide to distances, drive times and road safety around Tasmania.

Devonport to…

Launceston to…

Hobart to…

Burnie to…

Driving safely in Tasmania

Get where you’re going safely with these road safety and driving travel tips.
 

First time driving in Tasmania?

Read up on important road rules and road signs to know while driving around the island. For information on driver’s licences visit Transport Tasmania.

Road weather conditions 

Check the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for weather forecasts and road weather alerts before you set out and allow plenty of time to drive between destinations. 

Conditions can change fast, especially in winter. Both sealed and unsealed roads can become very slippery with ice and snow, which isn’t always visible. Fog, rain and shorter daylight hours bring added risks during winter, so drive slowly in cold conditions and use headlights in fog and low-visibility conditions.

Road closures and requirements

Check road closures, as some roads may close due to weather. Pinnacle Road to Kunanyi / Mount Wellington summit can close during snowy, icy and unsafe conditions or traffic congestion. If driving in Ben Lomond National Park from 1 June to 30 September, all vehicles need to carry snow chains. Emergency road closures are mapped on TasALERT.

Gravel roads in Tasmania

If you’re heading to a remote area or national park you might encounter narrow, winding or mountainous gravel roads, which might be in poor condition after rain and take longer to travel along.

For safer handling on gravel roads, consider choosing a 4WD, AWD or SUV rental car ahead of your trip. Check the rental policy for your hire car as insurance generally doesn’t cover driving on unsealed roads.

Watch out for animals 

Because wildlife is so abundant, native animals often wander onto the road, so take it slowly and be alert – especially between dusk and dawn, when wildlife is most active. If you can, avoid rural roads at these times.

In rural areas, keep an eye out for farm animals and vehicles on the roads.

Mobile coverage and navigation

Mobile reception outside towns can be patchy and mobile app directions and distances are not always up to date. Pick up a physical map from a visitor centre, TasMap or download offline maps before you go.

Wine and whisky trails

If you’re exploring one of Tasmania’s wine, whisky or cider trails, don’t drink and drive.  Nominate a designated driver, hop on a tour or take a taxi.

Plan ahead

A little planning before you head out will help you have a hassle-free road trip. 

• Check Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts and warnings
• See the interactive map and list of current and planned roadworks around Tasmania
• Head to Tasmania Police for community alerts and road closures
• Visit Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service for track, campsite and reserve closures to avoid disappointment
• View FuelCheck TAS for real-time fuel prices and service station locations
• For electric vehicle (EV) drivers, find charging stations on Tasmania's EV map
• Stay up to date with official emergency information including bushfires and floods via TasALERT.