Home | Links | Search | Updates | FAQ | About | Contact Roads | Signals | Roadsigns | Towns & Cities | International | Publications | Sign Drawings

Statistics:

• Length: 303 km (Wodonga to Wangaratta: 69 km)
• Northern Terminus: NSW-Vic Border at Wodonga
• Southern Terminus: Interchange with Metropolitan Ring Road at Thomastown
• Miscellaneous: Continues as Hume Highway (M31) in NSW
• Suburbs, Towns & Localities along route: Wodonga, West Wodonga, Barnawartha, Chiltern, Springhurst, Boralma, Bowser, East Wangaratta and Wangaratta

Route Numbering:

• Current: M31

• Former:

• Multiplexes: B400
• Road Authority Internal Number: 1550

General Information:

The Hume Freeway is one of Australia's most vital highway links. Providing access between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's 2 largest cities. Formerly known as the Hume Highway, the route is 100% dual carriageway road, either rural expressway or motorway standard.

The route started life as Sydney Road, cutting through Melbourne's northern suburbs. The highway was named in 1928 after Hamilton Hume (1797-1873), a famous explorer in the early 19th century who, in 1824, in conjunction with William Hovell first found an overland route between Sydney and the infant colonial outpost of Port Phillip, the original name of Melbourne.

M31 is the main freight and commuter route between Sydney and Melbourne and has gone through a massive amount of transformation over the past 30 or so years, with many towns being bypassed along its route as well and gradual upgrades to motorway standards. Since the 1960s, the road has either been duplicated, where alignments allow for it, and also large deviations have also been part of the upgrade process. Around 66,000 vehicles use the Hume Freeway north of Melbourne every day. 1

The Hume Freeway's highest elevation along its length is 368m and the lowest point is at 90.8m

History:

• 1914: Sydney Road declared a main road. 3
• 1928: Sydney Road renamed the Hume Highway - still a narrow two lane road. 3
• 1954: Hume Highway given Australia's first National Route number, NR31, as a trial of numbering systems.
• 1960's: Fawkner to Somerton duplication 4
• 1961: The first 4 lane modern freeway standard section was completed in Victoria at Craigieburn.
• 1969: Hume Freeway bypass from Wallan to Broadford started. 3
• 1974: Hume Highway route number changed to National Highway 31, indicating it's importance and also funding by the Federal Government.
• 1976: Hume Freeway - a modern 4 lane highway opened by the Premier of Victoria Rupert J Hamer. 3
• 1980: Violet Town bypassed 4
• 1982: Seymour bypassed 4
• 1984: Longwood duplication & bypass construction 4
• 1985: Wodonga bypassed 4
• 1987: Benalla bypassed 4
• 1988: Glenrowan and Chiltern bypassed 4
• 1992: Euroa bypassed 4
• 1994: Springhurst bypassed 4
• 1997: NH31 number replaced with NH-M31 as part of the rollout of alphanumeric numbering. NH31 remained in the metropolitan area until the opening of Craigieburn Bypass. 4
• December 2004: The first section of the Craigieburn Bypass was opened to traffic between the Metropolitan Ring Road and Cooper Street. 1
• 20 December 2005: The remaining section of the 17km Craigieburn Bypass, linking the Hume Freeway near Mt. Ridley Road at Craigieburn, to the Metropolitan Ring Road at Thomastown, opened to traffic. Click here for more details 2
• 2006: Old NH31 designation in suburban Melbourne replaced with MR55.
• 6 March 2007: 17.4km upgrade of the Hume Freeway through Albury-Wodonga opened to traffic. 2

Wangaratta to Wodonga			Wodonga to Wangaratta
Preview:	Description:		Preview:	Description:
	Fifteen Mile Creek: Crossing 15 Mile Creek at Wangaratta. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			New South Wales / Victoria Border: Hume Fwy (M31) at the New South Wales / Victoria Border (Murray RIver) at Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: RD sign located at Wangaratta. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Signs: Sign gantry assembly, as you approach the Bandiana Link interchange at Wodonga. April 2007. Image © Philip McCallum
	Whitflield Road Overpass: Whitfield Road (C521) as it passes over the Hume Freeway at Wangaratta. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Bandiana Link Interchange: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Bandiana Link interchange at Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	King River: M31 as it crosses King River at Wangaratta. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching High St & Lincoln Causeway (C315) at Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Maloneys River: Hume Fwy as it passes over Maloneys River. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Wagga Road Interchange: Southbound at Wagga Road (C315) interchange at Wodonga, May 2011. Click here for a photo of the same gantry by Phillip McCallum from April 2007. Image © Rob Tilley
	Wandeen Floodway: Hume Freeway crossing the Wandeen Floodway at Wangaratta. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wodonga approaching Melrose Dr, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Tourist Sign: Tourist related signage showing towns available from the upcoming exit (B500, Great Alpine Rd) at Wangaratta. Oxley's Flat Road overpass in the distance. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Freeway Green Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Freeway Green Supplemental AD sign at Wodonga approaching Melrose Dr, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Supplemental AD sign: Supplemental advance directional sign indicating towns accessible from the Great Alpine Road interchange. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Melrose Drive: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Melrose Dr interchange in Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wangaratta approaching Great Alpine Rd (B500), May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Distance Sign: RD sign at Wodonga after Melrose Dr, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Exit Sign: Bridge over the Ovens River at Wangaratta and also advance directional sign for the interchange with B500, Great Alpine Road. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at West Wodonga approaching McKoy St and Old Barnawartha Rd, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Great Alpine Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Great Alpine Rd (B500) interchange at Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			McKoy Street & Old Barnawartha Road: Hume Fwy (M31 / B400) at the junction with West Wodonga approaching McKoy St and Old Barnawartha Rd, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	AD Sign: Advance directional sign on Great Alpine Road approaching the Hume Freeway at Wangaratta East. Eastbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Distance Sign: RD sign at West Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	B500 Interchange: Northbound ramp at the Great Alpine Road interchange at Wangaratta East, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Tourism Sign: Tourism based sign listing winery towns in the area, West Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	ID Sign: ID sign located on the Great Alpine Road interchange at Wangaratta East. Eastbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Automated Speed Check Signage: Signage approaching the automated speed checker at West Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	ID Sign: ID sign located on the Great Alpine Road interchange at Wangaratta East. Eastbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Automated Speed Check Signage: Signage approaching the automated speed checker at West Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Rest Area Distance Sign: Sign located after the Great Alpine Road interchange at Wangaratta East. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Murray Valley Hwy (B400) interchange at Barnawartha North, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: RD sign and also bridge over Crabhole Creek, located after the Great Alpine Road interchange at Wangaratta East. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Freeway Green Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Freeway Green Supplemental AD sign for Murray Valley Hwy (B400) interchange at Barnawartha North, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Truck Parking Sign: Sign at Bowser indicating distance to the next truck parking area. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Murray Valley Hwy (B400) interchange at Barnawartha North, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	AD Sign: Advance directional sign for the C314 / Wangaratta Road interchange at Bowser. Northbound, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Murray Valley Highway: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Murray Valley Hwy (B400) in Barnawartha North, May 2011. The B400 duplex ends here. Image © Rob Tilley
	Bowser Interchange: Offramp to Wangaratta Road (C314) at Bowser. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Distance Sign: RD sign at Barnawartha North, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Bowser Interchange: Offramp to Wangaratta Road (C314) at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Indigo Creek Rd at Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	ID Sign: Intersection directional sign on the interchange with Hume Fwy at Bowser. January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Rest Area Distance Sign: Reassurance directional sign for rest areas at Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: Advance Intersection directional sign on the interchange with Hume Fwy at Bowser. Eastbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Indigo Creek Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Indigo Ck Rd interchange in Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Directional Sign: Signage on the interchange with M31 at Bowser. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Distance Sign: RD sign at Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Bowser Interchange: Looking at the overpass forming part of the Bowser Interchange. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: Services AD sign approaching Chiltern Park Rest Area at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: Reassurance directional sign at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: Services AD sign approaching Chiltern Park Rest Area at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Carraragarmungee Road & Boralma-Rutherglen Road at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Chiltern Park Rest Area: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Chiltern Park Rest Area at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Carraragarmungee Road & Boralma-Rutherglen Road: Intersection directional sign at the corner of Hume Freeway (M31), Carraragarmungee Road & Boralma-Rutherglen Road at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: Advance directional sign approaching Beechworth-Chiltern Rd (C377) and Main St (C381) at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: Reassurance directional sign at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental advance directional sign approaching Beechworth-Chiltern Rd (C377) and Main St (C381) at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching McMahons Rd & Cemetary Rd at Springhurst, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: Advance directional sign approaching Beechworth-Chiltern Rd (C377) and Main St (C381) at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Wenkes Rd and Old Cemetery Rd at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental advance directional sign approaching Beechworth-Chiltern Rd (C377) and Main St (C381) at Chiltern, May 2011. Note the old Telstra MobileNet advertising on the base of the sign. Image © Rob Tilley
	Wenkes Road & Old Cemetery Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the junction with Wenkes Rd and Old Cemetery Rd in Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Beechworth-Chiltern Road & Main Street: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Beechworth-Chiltern Rd (C377) and Main St (C381) at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: RD sign at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Distance Sign: RD sign near Black Dog Creek at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Main St (C381) and Beechworth-Chiltern Rd (C377) at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Wenkes Rd and Old Cemetery Rd at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching Main St (C381) and Beechworth-Chiltern Rd (C377) at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Wenkes Road & Old Cemetery Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the junction with Wenkes Rd and Old Cemetery Rd in Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: RD sign at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Distance Sign: RD sign at Chiltern, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Indigo Creek Rd at Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Rutherglen-Springhurst Rd (C376) at Springhurst, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: RD sign at Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Rutherglen-Springhurst Rd (C376) at Springhurst, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Murray Valley Hwy (B400) interchange at Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Rutherglen-Springhurst Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Rutherglen-Springhurst Rd (C376) at Springhurst, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Freeway Green Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Freeway Green Supplemental AD sign for Murray Valley Hwy (B400) interchange at Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Distance Sign: RD sign at Springhurst, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Murray Valley Hwy (B400) interchange at Barnawartha, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Rest Area Distance Sign: Reassurance directional sign for rest areas at Springhurst, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Murray Valley Highway: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Murray Valley Hwy (B400) in Barnawartha, May 2011. The B400 duplex starts here. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Cemetery Rd and McMahons Rd in Springhurst, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Barnawartha North, March 2015. Image © Paul Rands			Cemetery Road & McMahons Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the junction with Cemetery Rd and McMahons Rd in Springhurst, May 2011. Note the freeway green ID sign. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at West Wodonga approaching McKoy St and Old Barnawartha Rd, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Distance Sign: RD sign at Springhurst, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	McKoy Street & Old Barnawartha Road: Hume Fwy (M31 / B400) at the junction with West Wodonga approaching McKoy St and Old Barnawartha Rd, March 2015. Image © Paul Rands			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bowser approaching Carraragarmungee Rd and Boralma-Rutherglen Rd, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	McKoy Street & Old Barnawartha Road: Hume Fwy (M31 / B400) at the junction with West Wodonga approaching McKoy St and Old Barnawartha Rd, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Carraragarmungee Road & Boralma-Rutherglen Road: Carraragarmungee Rd and Boralma-Rutherglen Rd at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: RD sign at West Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Distance Sign: Reassurance directional sign at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Melbourne Rd at West Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Services Sign: Services sign on Hume Fwy (M31) at Bowser, May 2011. Note the radio station advertising on the base of the sign. Image © Rob Tilley
	Freeway Green Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Freeway Green Supplemental AD sign for Melbourne Rd at West Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Wangaratta Rd (C314) at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Melbourne Rd at West Wodonga, March 2015. Click here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Bowser for the Great Alpine Rd (B500) interchange, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: Freeway Green Supplemental AD sign for Melbourne Rd at West Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Wangaratta Rd (C314) at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Hume Freeway near Wodonga: Looking northbound at the alignment near Wodonga. April 2007. Image © Philip McCallum			Bypassed Town Sign: Bypassed town signage approaching Wangaratta Rd (C314) at Bowser, May 2011. Note the remnant NH31 shield. Image © Rob Tilley
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sia approaching Melbourne Rd, Wodonga, March 2015. Image © Paul Rands			Wangaratta Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Wangaratta Rd (C314) interchange at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Bypassed Town Sign: Northbound sign showing the bypassed town of Wodonga, May 2011. Click here for a photo from April 2007 by Phillip McCallum, of the sign altered with a section of highway removed for through traffic which was installed before opening of the Albury Bypass. Image © Rob Tilley			Rest Area Distance Sign: Sign showing distances to rest areas at Bowser, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Truck Route Signage: Truck route sign approaching Melbourne Rd, Wodonga, March 2015. Image © Paul Rands			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Great Alpine Rd (B500) at East Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Melbourne Road: Melbourne Rd interchange at Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Great Alpine Rd (B500) at East Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for Wagga Road at Wodonga. May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching Great Alpine Rd (B500) at East Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Signs: AD signs on the Melrose Dr overpass at Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Great Alpine Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Great Alpine Rd (B500) at East Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Roadworks Project Sign: Large sign indicating the scope of works for the Albury Bypass. Northbound at Wodonga, April 2007. Image © Philip McCallum			King River: Hume Fwy (M31) passing over King River at East Wangaratta, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wodonga approaching Lincoln Causeway and High St (B400) in Wodonga, March 2015. Click here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Whitfield Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Whitfield Rd at Wangaratta, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign located at Wodonga, April 2007. Image © Philip McCallum			Distance Sign: RD sign after Great Alpine Rd (B500) interchange at East Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Wodonga approaching Lincoln Causeway and High St (B400) in Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching Greta Rd (C523) at Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Lincoln Causeway & High Street: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Lincoln Causeway and High St (B400) at Wodonga, March 2015. Click here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from May 2011. The B400 duplex ends at this interchange. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Greta Rd (C523) at Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Distance Sign: NSW style RD sign showing distances to interchanges over the NSW-Vic border, Wodonga, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching Greta Rd (C523) at Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	New South Wales / Victoria Border & Murray River: Hume Fwy (M31) as it crosses the Murray River (the NSW-Vic border) at Wodonga, May 2011. M31 becomes NH31 at this point. Image © Rob Tilley			Greta Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Greta Rd (C523) interchange at Wangaratta, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
				Greta Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Greta Rd (C523) interchange at Wangaratta, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Distance Sign: RD sign at Wangaratta, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continuation of M31 between Wangaratta and Euroa Click here for the continuation of the Hume Freeway as the Hume Highway (M31) in NSW

1 Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
2 Vicroads
3 Wandong-Heathcote Junction Community Group
4 Viseth Uch

Last updated: 14-Feb-2019 21:11

This site © Paul Rands. All rights reserved. Some portions © (copyright) by their respective and credited owners. Permission must be obtained before using any images from this site. For details, please email by clicking here.