Brisbane to Cairns in an EV
Brisbane to Cairns is about 1693 km on the Bruce Highway, around 22 hours of driving. There are 26 fast-charging stops along the way, and the longest gap between them is 135 km (Marlborough to Carmila). 210 of the 217 EV versions we track can do it, most with 7 charging stops.
Can your car do it?
Uses highway range: about 75% of the claimed range at 100–110 km/h. Leave home full, fast charge to 80% and arrive with at least 10%. Charging costs assume home power for the first battery and 70c/kWh at fast chargers. Driving the same trip in a typical petrol SUV costs about $303 in fuel.
Fast-charging stops on the way
In order from Brisbane, with the gap from the previous stop.
| Stop | From Brisbane | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| BrisbanePlenty of fast chargers | 0 km | |
| BurpengaryEvie, BP Pulse | 38 km | 38 km |
| LandsboroughTesla * | 84 km | 46 km |
| PalmwoodsYurika | 93 km | 9 km |
| YandinaTesla * | 109 km | 16 km |
| CooroyYurika | 125 km | 16 km |
| GympieTesla * · up to 120 kW · 3 km off the highway | 165 km | 40 km |
| GunaldaYurika | 192 km | 27 km |
| MaryboroughYurika, Tesla | 250 km | 58 km |
| ChildersYurika | 307 km | 57 km |
| Gin GinYurika, Tesla | 362 km | 55 km |
| Miriam ValeYurika | 460 km | 98 km |
| CalliopeNRMA, Tesla | 519 km | 59 km |
| Mount LarcomYurika | 554 km | 34 km |
| RockhamptonNRMA, Yurika, Tesla, Evie | 628 km | 75 km |
| MarlboroughYurika | 729 km | 100 km |
| CarmilaYurika, Tesla | 864 km | 135 km |
| SarinaQLD Electric Super Highway | 928 km | 64 km |
| MackayYurika, Tesla · 4 km off the highway | 966 km | 38 km |
| ProserpineYurika | 1085 km | 119 km |
| BowenYurika, Tesla · 3 km off the highway | 1148 km | 63 km |
| AyrYurika | 1260 km | 112 km |
| TownsvilleEvie, ChargeStar, Yurika, Tesla · up to 250 kW | 1340 km | 80 km |
| InghamQLD Electric Super Highway | 1459 km | 119 km |
| CardwellYurika | 1512 km | 53 km |
| TullyYurika, Tesla · up to 250 kW | 1554 km | 42 km |
| InnisfailYurika | 1606 km | 52 km |
| CairnsPlenty of fast chargers | 1693 km | 87 km |
* Tesla Superchargers: many are open to all EVs through the Tesla app, but some are Tesla-only. We leave Tesla-only stops out of the plan for other cars. Power is the fastest charger listed at that stop, where known.
Route map
Green dots are fast-charging stops; grey are Tesla-only. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Tips for this trip
- Check chargers before you go. Chargers do break down or get busy, especially on holiday weekends. The PlugShare app shows recent check-ins from other drivers.
- Charge to 80%, not 100%. Fast charging slows right down above 80%, so two short stops are usually quicker than one long one.
- Speed costs range. At 110 km/h most EVs use 20–30% more energy than their claimed figure. Dropping to 100 km/h on the longest gap gives you a buffer.
- Have two networks' apps ready. Most stops have more than one network, so if one charger is down you can use another.
- Towing or a full load can halve your range. Plan stops about half as far apart.
Other road trips
EV road trip checklist
Apps and accounts, cables, planning your charging stops with a backup, and what to do on the day. One A4 page.
Common questions
Can you drive brisbane to Cairns in an EV?
Yes. There are 26 fast-charging stops along the 1693 km route, and the longest gap is 135 km. Most EVs need 7 charging stops.
How much does it cost to drive brisbane to Cairns in an EV?
About $244 in charging for a typical mid-size electric SUV, using home power for the first battery and fast chargers after that. A petrol SUV would use about $303 in fuel.
Which charging networks are on this route?
BP Pulse, ChargeStar, Evie, NRMA, QLD Electric Super Highway, Tesla, Yurika. Many stops have more than one network.
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How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at October 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.