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Statistics:

• Length: 303 km (Wangaratta to Euroa: 89 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: East Wangaratta, Wangaratta South, Laceby, Glenrowan, Glenrowan West, Winton, Benalla, Baddaginnie, Violet Town and Balmattum

Route Numbering:

• Current: M31

• Former:
• 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. Click here for a photo from the construction. 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 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. 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 Euroa			Euroa to Wangaratta
Preview:	Description:		Preview:	Description:
	distance Sign: RD sign after the Euroa Main Road interchange at Euroa. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Rest Area Distance Sign: Rest area distance sign at Glenrowan, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Euroa-Mansfield Road Overpass: Passing under C366 at Euroa. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign near Wangaratta Rd (C314) for the service centre at Glenrowan, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Exit Sign: Advance directional sign for the Euroa Main Road interchange (north) at Euroa. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Wangaratta Road: Hume Fwy (M31) passing under Wangaratta Rd (Southern Interchange) at Glenrowan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Euroa Main Road Interchange: Entering the interchange with northern end of Euroa Main Road at Euroa. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Snow Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Snow Rd at Glenrowan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD signage after the C312 interchange at Euroa. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for the service centre at Glenrowan, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	ID Sign: Intersection directional sign at Balmattum as the Hume Fwy passes Barn Ln. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Glenrowan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign located north of Balmattum. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Distance Sign: Reassurance directional sign at Glenrowan, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Mahers Road Intersection: The Hume Fwy as it passes Mahers Rd at Violet Town. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign for the Glenrowan-Moyhu Rd interchange at Glenrowan, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	Timber Fingerboard: Old fingerboard signage for Mahers Road at Violet Town. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Glenrowan Service Centre: Intersection directional sign on Hume Fwy (M31) at the Glenrowan Service Centre interchange, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley
	ID Signage: Intersection directional sign on Mahers Road at Violet Town. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Service Centre: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Glenrowan Service Centre, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign after the Mahers Road intersection at Violet Town. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Freeway Green Advance Directional Sign: Freeway green AD sign at Glenrowan, approaching Glenrowan Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Exit Sign: AD signage at Violet Town for C345, Murchison-Violet Town Rd. Southbound. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Rest Area Distance Sign: RD sign with distances to rest areas, Glenrowan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Violet Town Rest Area: M31 as it passes the rest area near Violet Town. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Freeway Green Advance Directional Sign: Freeway green AD sign at Glenrowan, approaching Glenrowan Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the Erreys Road junction at Violet Town. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Bypassed Town Signage: Bypassed town AD sign at Glenrowan approaching Glenrowan Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Baddaginnie approaching Warrenbayne Rd. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Glenrowan Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Glenrowan Rd, August 2015. Note the freeway green sign. Image © Paul Rands
	Truck Parking Area Sign: Services sign at Baddaginnie indicating the distance to the next truck parking area. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Glenrowan Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Glenrowan Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Benalla-Warrenbayne Rd at Baddaginnie. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Glenrowan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Benalla-Warrenbayne Rd Intersection: ID sign at the junction with Benalla-Warrenbayne Rd at Baddaginnie. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Rest Area Distance Sign: RD sign with distances to rest areas, Glenrowan, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Truck Parking Area: The truck parking area slip lane at Benalla. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Winton approaching Mokoan Rest Area, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Freeway Green Bypassed Town Sign: Typical Victorian bypassed town sign for Benalla, in the older freeway green colour. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Winton approaching Bowers Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Midland Hwy Interchange: The exit for the Midland Hwy (A300 / B300) at Benalla. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Bowers Rd: Hume Fwy (M31) at Bowers Rd, Winton, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Truck Parking Area Signage: Services sign indicating the distance to the next truck parking area at Benalla. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Winton approaching Mokoan Rest Area, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign after the Midland Hwy interchange at Benalla. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Winton, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Truck Parking Area: Slip lane for the truck parking area at Winton. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Winton, approaching Benalla-Winton Rd & Sydney Rd (C313), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Sign indicating the distance to the freeway service centre at Winton. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Supplmental Advance Directional Sign: Supplmental AD sign at Winton, approaching Benalla-Winton Rd & Sydney Rd (C313), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Exit Sign: AD sign for the interchange with C522, Snow Road. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Supplmental Advance Directional Sign: Supplmental AD sign at Winton, approaching Benalla-Winton Rd & Sydney Rd (C313), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Tourism Signage: Signage welcoming travellers to the Millawa Gourmet Region at Glenrowan. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Winton, approaching Benalla-Winton Rd & Sydney Rd (C313), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Rest Area Distance Sign: Sign in Glenrowan indicating distances to upcoming rest areas. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Bypassed Town Signage: Bypassed town AD sign at Winton, approaching Benalla-Winton Rd & Sydney Rd (C313), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Snow Road Interchange: Looking at the interchange with Snow Road at Laceby. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Benalla-Winton Road & Sydney Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Benalla-Winton Rd & Sydney Rd (C313) at Winton, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Exit Sign: Advance exit sign on the Snow Road overpass at Laceby. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Benalla-Winton Road & Sydney Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Benalla-Winton Rd & Sydney Rd (C313) at Winton, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign located after the Snow Road interchange at Laceby. Northbound, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Benalla-Winton Road & Sydney Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the interchange with Benalla-Winton Rd & Sydney Rd (C313) at Winton, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Services Sign: Sign at Laceby indicating services at Wangaratta. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Tourist Sign: Sign at Wangaratta South indicating the upcoming interchange for the Great Alpine Road (B500). Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Kilfeera Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Kilfeera Rd, Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Wangaratta South approaching Wangaratta Rd (C314), May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Samaria Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Samaria Rd (C157) at Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Bypassed Town Sign: Bypassed town sign approaching the Wangaratta Rd (C314) interchange at Wangaratta South, May 2011. Image © Rob Tilley			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Benalla approaching Midland Hwy (A300 / B300), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Approaching Wangaratta Road Interchange: Looking at the Wangaratta Road (C314) interchange at Wangaratta South. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Broken River: Hume Fwy (M31) as it crosses Broken River at Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	ID Signs: Sign gantry assembly at the Wangarratta Road interchange at South Wangaratta. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Rest Area Distance Sign: RD sign with distances to rest areas, Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Exit Sign: Advance exit sign as you pass under Wangaratta Road at Wangaratta South. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Benalla approaching Midland Hwy (A300 / B300), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
	Distance Sign: RD sign located after the Wangaratta Road interchange at Wangaratta South. Northbound, January 2008. Image © Viseth Uch			Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Benalla approaching Midland Hwy (A300 / B300), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Midland Highway: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Midland Hwy (A300 / B300) interchange, Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Midland Highway: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Midland Hwy (A300 / B300) interchange, Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Benalla, approaching Benalla-Warrenbayne Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Benalla-Warrenbayne Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Benalla-Warrenbayne Rd junction, Benalla, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Baddaginnie, approaching Baddaginnie-Warrenbayne Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Baddaginnie-Warrenbayne Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Baddaginnie-Warrenbayne Rd junction, Baddaginnie, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Baddaginnie, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Boho approaching Boho Church Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Boho Church Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at Boho Church Rd at Boho, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Boho approaching Erreys Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Erreys Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at Erreys Rd at Boho, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Boho, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Violet Town approaching Urmston St (C345) & Harrys Creek Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Violet Town approaching Urmston St (C345) & Harrys Creek Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Violet Town approaching Urmston St (C345) & Harrys Creek Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Urmston Street & Harrys Creek Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Urmston St (C345) and Harrys Ck Rd interchange at Violet Town, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Violet Town on the off ramp to Urmston St (C345) & Harrys Creek Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign at Violet Town facing the off ramp to Urmston St (C345) & Harrys Creek Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Violet Town, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Balmattum approaching Barn Ln Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Barn Lane: Hume Fwy (M31) at Barn Ln at Balmattum, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Balmattum approaching Giffin Rd, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Giffin Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at Giffin Rd at Balmattum, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Rest Area Distance Sign: RD sign with distances to rest areas, Balmattum, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Euroa approaching Tarcombe St (Euroa Main Rd) (C312), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Euroa approaching Tarcombe St (Euroa Main Rd) (C312), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Euroa approaching Tarcombe St (Euroa Main Rd) (C312), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Bypassed Town Sign: Bypassed town AD sign approaching Tarcombe St (Euroa Main Rd) (C312), Euroa, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Tarcombe Street: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Tarcombe St (Euroa Main Rd) (C312) interchange, Euroa, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Tarcombe Street: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Tarcombe St (Euroa Main Rd) (C312) interchange, Euroa, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Euroa, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Euroa-Mansfield Road: Hume Fwy (M31) as it passes under Euroa-Mansfield Rd (C266) at Euroa, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Euroa approaching Euroa Main Rd (C312), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Euroa approaching Euroa Main Rd (C312), August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Rest Area Distance Sign: RD sign with distances to rest areas, Euroa, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Euroa Main Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Euroa Main Rd (C312) interchange, Euroa, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
				Euroa Main Road: Hume Fwy (M31) at the Euroa Main Rd (C312) interchange, Euroa, August 2015. Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continuation of M31 between Wodonga and Wangaratta Click here for the continuation of M31 between Euroa and Seymour

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 21:19

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