Road routes in Victoria assist drivers navigating roads throughout the state, as roads may change names several times between destinations, or have a second local name in addition to a primary name. There are two main route numbering schemes in use: numeric shields, and alphanumeric routes, with the former being replaced by the latter. The original scheme consists of numbered National Highways, National Routes, Metropolitan and State Routes, each identified with a different shield-shaped route marker. The alphanumeric Statewide Route Numbering Scheme, introduced in the 1990s, has replaced the previous scheme outside Melbourne, and some routes within Melbourne. It consists of alphanumeric routes, which are a one-to-three digit number prefixed with a letter – M, A, B, or C – that denotes the grade and importance of the road.
History
Route numbers have been allocated to Victoria's roads since 1954, with the introduction of National Routes across all states and territories in Australia, symbolised by a white shield with black writing; National Route 1 ('Highway 1') was one of the best-known numbered national routes, due to its fame for circumnavigating the continent.
To supplement the National Route number system, a new route numbering scheme (now known as the Metropolitan Route Numbering Scheme) allocated blue-and-white shields across Melbourne in 1965, numbered to fit around existing National Routes; Freeway Routes, using green shields to better mark their specialised status, were spun off from this system between 1970 and 1987.
In 1974, the National Highway network was defined, which allowed some existing National Routes to be upgraded to National Highways. These were marked with the same shield design as the National Routes, except for their gold-on-green colouring and the word NATIONAL added across the top.
A shield system covering regional Victoria (the State Route Numbering Scheme) was introduced in 1985, marking out urban arterial routes and secondary rural highways. The Metropolitan Route Numbering Scheme across Melbourne received a major refurbishment in the late 1980s, with the creation of Tourist Routes as a result.
Beginning in late 1996, regional Victoria (and certain core routes through Melbourne) began to replace their system of National Routes, National Highways and State Routes with an alphanumeric route numbering system, called the Statewide Route Numbering Scheme. Many existing numbered routes were allocated a letter (M, A, B or C) in addition to its number, with 'M' routes denoting freeways, 'A' routes denoting routes of national significance, 'B' routes denoting routes of state significance, and 'C' routes acting as local access roads. Instead of shields, route numbers are displayed as yellow text on green rectangular backgrounds, and has now – with the exception of Tourist Routes – become the sole route numbering system in regional Victoria. The Great Ocean Road (signed B100) and Great Alpine Road (signed B500) were the first routes allocated, and with conversion beginning to the M1, in late 1996; signing work had been completed for all 'M' and 'A' class roads and for approximately half of the 'B' class roads throughout Victoria by the end of June 1998. Former National Highways route markers initially retained their shield design (including NATIONAL markings) after conversion, but VicRoads – as of September 2013 – removed them, bringing their design in line with the rest of the state.
Melbourne has been slower to convert between systems, having kept most of its Metropolitan routes, but is currently undergoing a systematic conversion from 2020. Routes listed here may change as a result.
Alphanumeric Routes M routes M roads provide a consistent high standard of driving conditions, with divided carriageways, at least four traffic lanes, sealed shoulders and line-marking that is easily visible in all weather conditions. M roads are the primary road links connecting Melbourne and other capital cities and major provincial centres. In practice, this means M roads are usually at least dual-carriageway freeways or high standard rural highways with at least two lanes in each direction. Victorian route allocations use a blue background colour to designate a toll-road (sections attracting a toll are specifically marked).
RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotesM1ColacTraralgon Highway 1 route:– re-aligned along Princes Highway through Waurn Ponds along current alignment when Stage 4B of Geelong Ring Road opened in 2013, renamed Waurn Ponds Drive– re-aligned along Princes Highway from Corio to Waurn Ponds along current alignment (replaced by ) when Geelong Ring Road opened in 2009– continues west as along Princes Highway (west) to VIC/SA borderCityLink Highway 1 route, toll road:– re-aligned along Sturt/Power Streets, City Road, Alexandra Avenue, Swan Street and Batman Avenue from Southbank to Melbourne along current alignment when Burnley Tunnel opened in 2000 Highway 1 route:– re-aligned along South Gippsland Freeway and Princes Highway from Doveton to Narre Warren along current alignment (replaced by /) when Hallam bypass opened in 2003– re-aligned along Princes Link and Princes Highways from Berwick to Nar Nar Goon along current alignment (replaced by //) when Pakenham bypass opened in 2007, Princes Link Highway renamed O'Shea Road in 2022– continues east as along Princes Highway (east) to VIC/NSW borderM2Tullamarine FreewayMelbourne AirportPort MelbourneAllocated in 2018, signage progressively under conversion from to CityLink Allocated in 2018, toll road, signage progressively under conversion from to M3Eastern FreewayClifton HillFrankstonAllocated when EastLink opened in 2008EastLinkAllocated when EastLink opened in 2008, toll roadFrankston FreewayAllocated when Peninsula Link opened in 2013M4West Gate TunnelYarravilleFootscrayWest MelbourneAllocated when West Gate Tunnel opened in 2025, toll roadM8Western FreewayBuangorDerrimut – Eastern end re-aligned along Ballarat Road from Ardeer to current alignment (replaced by ) when Deer Park bypass opened in 2009– Continues west as along Western Highway to VIC/SA border– Allocated in 1997, progressively being replaced by from 2013M11Mornington Peninsula FreewayDingley VillageRosebud – Allocated when Peninsula Link opened in 2013– Northern end extended from Chelsea Heights to Dingley Village when Mordialloc Freeway opened in 2021M31Hume FreewayThomastownVIC/NSW border – Southern end re-aligned along Sydney Road from Fawkner to current alignment (replaced by ) when Craigieburn bypass opened in 2005– Continues north as along Hume Highway into NSW eventually to Sydney– Concurrency with along Hume Freeway from Barnawartha North to Wodonga– Allocated in 1997, progressively being replaced by from 2013M39Goulburn Valley FreewaySeymourShepparton – Continues north as along Goulburn Valley Highway to VIC/NSW border– Allocated in 2001, progressively being replaced by from 2013M79Calder FreewayRavenswoodNiddrie – Continues north as along Calder Highway to VIC/NSW border– Concurrency with along Midland Highway from Ravenswood to HarcourtM80Western Ring RoadAltona NorthGreensboroughAllocated (from Ardeer to Fawkner) in 1997, extended south to Derrimut when Deer Park bypass opened in 2009, progressively being replaced by from 2013Metropolitan Ring RoadAllocated (from Fawkner to Thomastown) when Craigieburn bypass opened in 2005, progressively being replaced by from 2013M420PakenhamBass – Replaced from Grantville to Bass when highway upgrades along Bass Highway raised quality of road in 2013– Northern end realigned along South Gippsland Highway from Lynbrook to current alignment (replaced by /) in 2024, signage under conversion on Koo Wee Rup Road from to – Continues west as along Phillip Island Road to Cowes– Concurrency with along Rossiter Road through Koo Wee RupSouth Gippsland FreewayDovetonLynbrook – Northern end extended along South Gippsland Freeway from Eumemmerring to Doveton (replacing ) when Hallam bypass opened in 2003– Decommissioned, replaced by in 2025M780DovetonSkye – Allocated in 2000, replaced – Northern end extended along South Gippsland Freeway from Lynbrook to Doveton (replacing ) in 2025, signage under conversion on South Gippsland Freeway from to – Continues south as along Western Port Highway to Hastings
A routes A roads provide a similar high standard of driving conditions usually on a single carriageway, but in practice this means usually a dual-carriageway road within suburban Melbourne. A roads serve the same purpose as M roads, but carry less traffic. RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotesA1Princes Highway VIC/SA borderColac Highway 1 route:– continues west as along Princes Highway into SA eventually to Mount Gambier– continues east as along Princes Highway (west) through Melbourne to Traralgon– concurrency with along Princes Highway from Heywood to BolwarraPrinces Highway TraralgonVIC/NSW border Highway 1 route:– continues west as along Princes Highway (east) through Melbourne to Colac– continues north as along Princes Highway into NSW eventually to SydneyA8Western HighwayVIC/SA borderBuangor – Continues west as along Dukes Highway into SA eventually to Tailem Bend– Continues east as along Western Freeway to Melbourne– Allocated in 1997, progressively being replaced by from 2013A10Waurn PondsCorio – Allocated when Geelong Ring Road opened (replacing ) in 2009– Former Princes Highway alignment through GeelongA17O'Shea RoadBerwickBeaconsfield – Allocated in 2022– Concurrency with along O'Shea Road from Berwick to BeaconsfieldA20Sturt HighwayVIC/SA borderMilduraVIC/NSW border – Continues west as along Sturt Highway into SA eventually to Adelaide– Continues east as along Sturt Highway into NSW eventually to Tarcutta– Concurrency with along Calder Highway through Mildura– Allocated in 1997, progressively being replaced by from 2013A21South Gippsland HighwayDandenongCranbourne North – Allocated in 2024, signage under conversion from to – Continues south as along South Gippsland Highway to Koo Wee RupCranbourneKoo Wee Rup– Allocated in 2024, signage under conversion from to – Continues north as along South Gippsland Highway to DandenongA39Goulburn Valley HighwaySheppartonStrathmertonVIC/NSW border – Southern end along Goulburn Valley Freeway originally terminating at Seymour truncated to current alignment (replaced by in 2001, progressively being replaced by from 2013)– Continues north as along Newell Highway into NSW eventually to Goondiwindi– Continues south as along Goulburn Valley Freeway to Seymour– Concurrency with along Murray Valley Highway from Strathmerton to Yarroweyah– Allocated in 1997, progressively being replaced by from 2013A51Plenty RoadMerndaBundoora – Allocated in 2021– Continues south as along Plenty Road to Preston– Continues north as along Plenty Road eventually to WallanA57WollertEpping – Allocated in 2026– Continues south as along High Street eventually to Elwood– Continues north as along Epping Road eventually to KilmoreA60EssendonSouthbank– Allocated in 2023 to replace between Southbank and Essendon – Extended beyond terminus from Parkville to Essendon along Mount Alexander Road, first appearing in 2019