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.[1]
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,[2] 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,[3] marking out urban arterial routes and secondary rural highways. The Metropolitan Route Numbering Scheme across Melbourne received a major refurbishment in the late 1980s,[4] with the creation of Tourist Routes as a result.[5]
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.[6] 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.[7] 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;[6] 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.[8] 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.[9]
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.[7] 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).
– 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 2013
– 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 2013
– Separated from northern section since 2024 – Northern section realigned to Koo Wee Rup Road in 2024, signage under conversion on Koo Wee Rup Road from to – Replaced from Grantville to Bass when highway upgrades along Bass Highway raised quality of road in 2013 – Continues west as along Phillip Island Road to Cowes – Concurrency with along Rossiter Road through Koo Wee Rup
– Separated from southern section since 2024 – Northern end extended along South Gippsland Freeway from Eumemmerring to Doveton (replacing ) when Hallam bypass opened in 2003 – Previous section from Lynbrook to Cranbourne replaced by and
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.[7]
– 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 2013
– 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 2013
– Allocated in 2024, signage under conversion from to – Continues south as along South Gippsland Highway to Koo Wee Rup – reassigned to Koo Wee Rup Road
– Allocated in 2021, signage under conversion from / to – Continues south as along Plenty Road to Preston – Continues north as along Plenty Road eventually to Wallan
– Allocated in 2023 during Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade[12][13] – Road is entirely within Cranbourne – Continues north as along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road to Lilydale
B roads are sealed roads wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic with good centre line markings, provide adequate shoulders and high quality and visibility signage. B roads are the primary transport links for major regions not connected by either M or A roads, as well as major tourist routes.[7]
– Allocated in 2022, signage under conversion from to – Continues south as along Williamsons Road eventually to Huntingdale – Concurrency with along Williamsons Road through Templestowe
– Eastern end re-aligned through Anderson to current alignment (replaced by ) when Anderson bypass opened in 2013 – Continues east as along Bass Highway eventually to Pakenham
– Allocated in 2019[16] – Eastern end extended from Berwick to Beaconsfield when O'Shea Road extension opened in 2022 – Concurrencies: with along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road through Narre Warren South; with along O'Shea Road from Berwick to Beaconsfield
C roads are generally sealed two-lane roads with shoulders and serve as important links between population centres and the primary transport network.[7]
– Northern end truncated to Marshall when Barwon Heads Road Upgrade Stage 1 completed in 2023 – Continues north as along Barwon Heads Road eventually to Belmont
Northern end along Anglesea Road originally terminating through Waurn Ponds truncated to current alignment (replaced by ) when Stage 4B of Geelong Ring Road opened in 2013
– Southern end truncated to current alignment in 2023, replaced by through Cranbourne – Concurrencies: with along Monbulk Road through Mount Evelyn, with along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road through Narre Warren South – Continues south as along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road to Cranbourne
– Southern end along Koo Wee Rup Road terminating at Koo Wee Rup truncated to current alignment in 2024 (replaced by ), road is entirely within Pakenham – Southern end re-aligned through Koo Wee Rup to current alignment (replaced by ) when Koo Wee Rup Bypass opened in 2015
– Western end along Craigieburn Road West truncated to current alignment in 2024 after Craigieburn Road Upgrade, replaced by – Concurrency with along Sydney Road through Craigieburn
– Southern end along Plenty Road originally terminating at South Morang truncated to current alignment in 2021 (replaced by ) – Continues south as along Plenty Road to Bundoora
^VicRoads (September 2013). "Direction Signs and Route Numbering (non-Freeway)". Traffic Engineering Manual (3 ed.). State Government of Victoria. p. 34. Archived from the original(PDF) on 19 December 2014. The use of National Highway shields for routes M/A8, A20, M31, M/A39 and M80 has been discontinued. They are now signed in the same way as other alphanumeric routes
