List of road routes in South Australia explained

Road routes in South Australia assist drivers navigating roads in urban, rural, and scenic areas of the state. Today, all numbered routes in the state are allocated a letter (M, A or B) in addition to a one, two or three digit number, denoting different levels of significance. The route system includes officially designated highways, urban freeways and arterial roads, and other important cross-state roads that have not been declared highways.

History

Route numbers have been allocated to South Australia's roads since 1955, 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.

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. Unlike many other states, South Australia never adopted State Routes, although it allowed two Victorian rural State Routes to cross the border and terminate in locations within 20 km of it when they were rolled out there in 1985.

In 1998, the state replaced its system of National Routes and National Highways with an alphanumeric route numbering system. Many existing numbered routes were allocated a letter (M, A or B) in addition to its number, with 'M' routes denoting freeways, 'A' routes denoting routes of state significance, and 'B' routes denoting routes of local significance. Instead of shields, route numbers are displayed as yellow text on green rectangular backgrounds, and has now become the sole route numbering system in the state. The changeover to alphanumeric routes was carried out from 1998 either by removing old "shield" coverplates installed on newer signs, or installing new alphanumeric coverplates on old shielded signs, adopting the same design as Victoria (which adopted its alphanumeric system a year previous). Trailblazers were introduced with alphanumeric routes in Adelaide's metropolitan area and the tourist areas of Victor Harbor and the Barossa Valley in 1998,[1] [2] with allocations extended to cover country areas in 1999.[3] Former National Highways still retained their shield design (including NATIONAL markings) after conversion, but were modified in 2017 to remove them, bringing their design in line with the rest of the state.

Alphanumeric Routes

All alphanumeric routes listed here are derived from the Government of South Australia's Location SA service.[4]

M routes

Roads allocated an M route are usually at least dual-carriageway motorways or expressways, with at least two lanes in each direction. These roads keep traffic moving and are likely to have no traffic lights and higher speed limits.[5]

RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotes

M1
South Eastern FreewayGlen OsmondMurray Bridge69abbr=onNaNabbr=onPart of Highway 1:
– western end re-aligned through Eagle on the Hill from Mount Barker Road to current alignment when freeway extension through the Heysen Tunnels opened in 2000
– continues north west as along Glen Osmond Road beyond Adelaide
– continues east as along Princes Highway to Tailem Bend
– allocated in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017

M2
Northern ExpresswayGawlerHindmarsh51abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated in 2016 (replacing)
Northern ConnectorAllocated upon opening in 2020
North–South Motorway– allocated through Wingfield (replacing) when South Road Superway opened in 2014, progressively being replaced by from 2017
– extended south to Hindmarsh (replacing) when Torrens to Torrens section opened in 2018
– to be extended further south eventually to Southern Expressway as further stages of the North–South Motorway are completed
– continues south as along South Road to Southern Expressway at St Marys
Southern ExpresswaySt MarysNoarlunga Downs21abbr=onNaNabbr=on– southern end extended from Reynella to Noarlunga Downs when second stage opened in 2001
– northern end extended from Darlington to St Marys when Darlington bypass opened in 2020
– to be extended further north eventually to North–South Motorway as further stages are completed
– continues north as along South Road to North–South Motorway at Hindmarsh

National Highway M20
Northern ExpresswayVirginiaGawler22abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated upon opening in 2010, replaced by when Northern Connector commenced construction in 2016

A routes

Roads allocated an A route are main or arterial routes providing a high standard of driving conditions both across single- or dual-carriageway roads, linking to and from M roads and provide access to major towns and places of interest across metro and regional SA.

RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotes

A1
SA/WA borderMedindie1248abbr=onNaNabbr=onPart of Highway 1:
– continues west as along Eyre Highway into WA eventually to Norseman
– discontinuous across the Adelaide city centre, partially
– allocated in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017
EastwoodFrewvilleGlen Osmond3.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on– discontinuous across the Adelaide city centre, partially
– eastern end along Mount Barker Road terminating in Crafers truncated to current alignment when South Eastern Freeway extension through the Heysen Tunnels opened in 2000
– continues east as along South Eastern Freeway to Murray Bridge
– allocated in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017
Princes HighwayMurray BridgeSwanport BridgeTailem Bend22abbr=onNaNabbr=on– continues west as along South Eastern Freeway to Glen Osmond
– continues south as along Princes Highway to Mount Gambier
– allocated in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017
Princes HighwayMount GambierSA/Vic border18abbr=onNaNabbr=on– continues west as along Princes Highway to Tailem Bend
– continues east as along Princes Highway into Victoria eventually to Geelong

A2
South RoadHindmarshSt Marys11abbr=onNaNabbr=on– allocated from Regency Park to Darlington (replacing) when South Road Superway opened in 2014
– northern end truncated to Hindmarsh (replaced by) when Torrens to Torrens section of North–South Motorway opened in 2018
– southern end truncated to St Marys (replaced by) when Darlington bypass of Southern Expressway opened in 2020
– continues north as along North–South Motorway to Gawler
– continues south as along Southern Expressway to Noarlunga Downs

A3
Cross RoadPlymptonUnley ParkGlen Osmond9.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on

A5
Anzac HighwayKeswickPlymptonGlenelg13.8abbr=onNaNabbr=onNorthern end truncated from Adelaide to Keswick when City Ring Route re-aligned in 2017

A6
Mile EndBrooklyn ParkWest Beach6.9abbr=onNaNabbr=onEastern end truncated from Adelaide to Mile End when City Ring Route re-aligned in 2017

A7
HindmarshPort Adelaide9.9abbr=onNaNabbr=on

A8
Dukes HighwayTailem BendSA/Vic border192abbr=onNaNabbr=on– continues east as along Western Highway into Victoria eventually to Beaufort
– concurrency with along Dukes Highway from Lowan Vale to Bordertown
– allocated in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017

A9
Port AdelaideElizabeth Vale20.9abbr=onNaNabbr=onEastern end extended along Salisbury Highway and John Rice Avenue from Dry Creek to Elizabeth Vale (replacing /) when South Road Superway opened in 2014

A10
GilbertonHoughton19.3abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinues east as along North East Road to Nurioopta

A11
Kent TownSalisbury Heights25.1abbr=onNaNabbr=onNorthern end re-aligned from Lower North East Road terminating in Houghton (replaced by) to current alignment in 2021

A13
DarlingtonVictor Harbor67.6abbr=onNaNabbr=on– allocation along South Road, Salisbury Highway and John Rice Avenue terminating in Elizabeth Vale truncated to current alignment (replaced by / and) when South Road Superway opened in 2014
– concurrency with along Victor Harbor Road through Willunga Hill
– allocated along South Road through Wingfield in 1998, replaced by in 2014, progressively being replaced by from 2017

A14
BeverleyDarlington15.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on

A15
AlbertonMaslin Beach45.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on
  • Gray Street
  • Saltfleet Street
  • Commercial Road
  • Maslin Beach Road
Southern end extended from Hallett Cove to Maslin Beach in 2021

A16
Outer HarborHoughton37.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Grand Junction RoadAllocated (from Regency Park to Northfield) in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017
Lower North East RoadEastern end extended along Lower North East Road from Hope Valley to Houghton (replacing) in 2021

A17
NorthfieldPaynehamGlen Osmond13.7abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017

A18
ParalowieParafieldModbury12.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on

A20
Gepps CrossSA/Vic border267abbr=onNaNabbr=on– continues east as along Sturt Highway into Victoria through Mildura, and into New South Wales eventually to Tarcutta
– allocated in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017
– western end along Main North Road terminating at Gepps Cross truncated to Gawler (replaced by) when Northern Expressway opened in 2010, reverted to in 2017

A21
AdelaideNorth AdelaideAdelaide15.6abbr=onNaNabbr=onFormer City Ring Route, replaced by in 2017, listed clockwise from the western corner of Adelaide city centre

A22
Gepps CrossKilburnOvingham7.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on

A32
Barrier HighwayGiles CornerSA/NSW border3770NaN0– continues east as along Barrier Highway into New South Wales to Nyngan
– concurrency with along Barrier Highway through Burra

A52
Main North RoadGepps CrossGawler32abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated when Northern Expressway opened (replacing) in 2010, reverted to in 2017

A66
Riddoch HighwayKeithMount Gambier2100NaN0Continues south as along Riddoch Highway to Port MacDonnell

A87
Stuart HighwaySA/NT borderPort Augusta West928abbr=onNaNabbr=on– continues north as along Stuart Highway into NT eventually to Daly Waters
– allocated in 1998, progressively being replaced by from 2017

B routes

Roads allocated a B route are secondary or local arterial roads, These roads link to and from A and M roads and provide access to places of interest across metro and regional SA.

RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotes

B1
Princes HighwayTailem BendMount Gambier350abbr=onNaNabbr=onPart of Highway 1:
– continues north as along Princes Highway to Murray Bridge
– continues east as along Princes Highway into Victoria eventually to Geelong

B10
HoughtonNurioopta73abbr=onNaNabbr=on– continues west as along North East Road to Adelaide
– concurrencies with: along North East Road through Chain of Ponds; along Torrens Valley Road through Birdwood; along Torrens Valley Road through Mount Pleasant

B12
Mallee HighwayTailem BendSA/Vic border145abbr=onNaNabbr=on– continues east as along Mallee Highway into Victoria eventually to Piangil
– concurrency with along Mallee Highway through Pinnaroo

B19
GawlerLyndochNuriootpa39abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B23
Main South RoadOld NoarlungaCape Jervis75abbr=onNaNabbr=onRoute continues west over Backstairs Passage to Hog Bay Road on Kangaroo Island
PenneshawPelican LagoonKingscote60abbr=onNaNabbr=onRoute continues east over Backstairs Passage to Main South Road on the South Australian mainland

B26
GlensideUraidlaBalhannah24abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated in 2019

B27
Kent TownMount Torrens37abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated in 2019

B28
FullartonSummertown25abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated in 2019

B29
UnleyClarendon27abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated in 2020

B31
CampbelltownLyndoch49abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrency with along North East Road through Chain of Ponds

B33
StirlingStrathalbyn37abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B34
WilliamstownMyponga109abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrencies with: along Victor Harbor Road through Willunga Hill; along Torrens Valley Road through Birdwood

B35
Mount CrawfordMurray Bridge63abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrency with along Torrens Valley Road through Mount Pleasant

B36
PalmerMannumMurray Bridge North38abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B37
Mount BarkerDelamere126abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrency with along Hindmarsh Road through Victor Harbor

B45
  • Langhorne Creek Road
  • Ferry Road
StrathalbynLanghorne CreekWellington East49abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B55
Murray BridgeBerri202abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B56
WinninowiePeterborough108abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrencies with: along RM Williams Way from Orroroo to Black Rock; along Horrocks Highway through Wilmington

B57
LoxtonCadgee292abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrencies with: along Dukes Highway from Lowan Vale to Bordertown; along Mallee Highway through Pinnaroo

B64
Goyder HighwayCrystal BrookMonash266abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrencies with: along Barrier Highway through Burra; along RM Williams Way through Spalding; along Horrocks Highway through Gulnare

B66
Riddoch HighwayMount GambierMount SchankPort MacDonnell28abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinues north as along Riddoch Highway to Mount Gambier

B77
  • Mallala Road
  • Old Port Wakefield Road
  • Gawler Road
  • Two Wells Road
  • Ryde Street
  • Overway Bridge Road
  • Fifteenth Street
  • Twelfth Street
Two WellsGawler RiverGawler23.5abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated in 2021

B78
Wilkins HighwayJamestownHallett38abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B79
WarnertownUcolta104abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrency with along RM Williams Way from Mannanarie to Jamestown

B80
RM Williams WayHawkerBarinia220abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrencies with: along RM Williams Way from Orroroo to Black Rock; along Goyder Highway through Spalding; along RM Williams Way from Mannanarie to Jamestown

B81
Thiele HighwayGawler BeltMorgan115abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B82
QuornGawler Belt282abbr=onNaNabbr=onConcurrencies with: along Wilmington–Ucolta Road through Wilmington; along Goyder Highway through Gulnare

B83
LyndhurstStirling North292abbr=onNaNabbr=onMuch of this route still is signed ; shields still visible at Flinders Ranges Way and West Terrace intersection in Quorn

B84
Port WakefieldEudunda100abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B85
Copper Coast HighwayPort WakefieldWallaroo58abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B86
Yorke HighwayPort ArthurStenhouse Bay181abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B88
St Vincent HighwayPine PointWarooka101abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B89
Spencer HighwayPort PirieMinlaton199abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B90
Tod HighwayKyancuttaUley176abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B91
Birdseye HighwayEllistonCowell198abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B97
PimbaOlympic Dam89abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B100
CedunaLincoln Gap715abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B101
Southern Ports HighwayKingston SEMillicent119abbr=onNaNabbr=on

B160
Glenelg HighwayGlenburnieSA/Vic border15.3abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinues east as along Glenelg Highway into Victoria eventually to Ballarat (a Victorian B route "extended" into SA)

B201
BarmeraBerriMonash16.8abbr=onNaNabbr=onFormer Sturt Highway alignment

C routes

Roads allocated a C route are major collector roads, linking local roads and streets to the arterial road network for inter-state travel.

While officially gazetted C routes exist in South Australia, these are currently based on existing Victorian C routes terminating in South Australian locations just inside the SA/Vic state border, and do not exist anywhere else in the state.

RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotes

C192
Glenelg River RoadMount GambierWyeSA/Vic border30abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinues east as along Glenelg River Road into Victoria to Portland

C198
Casterton RoadPenolaSA/Vic border17.4abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinues east as along Casterton–Penola Road into Victoria to Casterton

C212
Edenhope RoadWrattonbullySA/Vic border13.3abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinues east as along Edenhope–Penola Road into Victoria to Edenhope

C240
Wimmera HighwayNaracoorteSA/Vicborder23abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinues east as along Wimmera Highway into Victoria to Marong

R routes

Roads allocated a R route are for ring roads, provide a path around a city, rather than travelling through it.

South Australia is currently the only state in the country to use R routes. To date, there is only one R route: around Adelaide, the state's capital city.

Former Routes

National Routes

National Routes were the first type of route numbering to be attempted in Australia on a large scale, signed with a white shield and black writing (similar in shape to the shield that appears on the Australian coat of arms), with South Australia receiving routes in 1955. They highlighted the interstate links connecting major population, industrial and principal regions of New South Wales to the rest of the Australia, in a way that was readily identifiable to interstate travellers. The system was prepared by the Conference of State Road Authorities, held between 1953 and 1954: once each state road authority agreed to the scheme, it was rolled out federally.

Selected routes were later upgraded into National Highways when the National Roads Act was passed in 1974.

South Australia's National Routes were eventually replaced with the alphanumeric system, introduced across the state between 1998 and 1999: each route was converted to an alphanumeric route number, rendering the black-and-white shield redundant. Most National Routes in rural South Australia kept their number during the conversion; two exceptions were National Route 47 (which became B83), and National Route 83 (which became B80, B82 and B83).

RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotes

National Route 1
SA/WA borderSA/Vic border1716abbr=onNaNabbr=on– progressively reallocated along South Eastern Freeway sections as they opened
– replaced by from SA/WA border to Tailem Bend in 1974
Princes Highway (II)Replaced by: from Mount Gambier to SA/Vic border; from Tailem Bend to Mount Gambier in 1998

Alternate
National Route 1
CedunaLincoln Gap715abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated after road sealing and upgrades of Flinders Highway completed in 1978, replaced by in 1999
Southern Ports HighwayKingston SEMillicent119abbr=onNaNabbr=on– former Princes Highway alignment (bypassed in 1933)
– allocated in 1978, replaced by in 1999
White HillMurray BridgeLong Flat13.2abbr=onNaNabbr=onAllocated when Swanport Bridge over the Murray River opened in 1979, replaced by from White Hill to Murray Bridge East in 1998

National Route 8
Dukes HighwayTailem BendSA/Vic border192abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1974

National Route 12
Mallee HighwayTailem BendSA/Vic border145abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1998

National Route 20
Gepps CrossSA/Vic border267abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1992

Alternative
National Route 20
Old Sturt HighwayBarmeraBerriMonash16.8abbr=onNaNabbr=onFormer Sturt Highway alignment, replaced by in 1999

National Route 32
GawlerSA/NSW border4170NaN0Replaced by in 1998

National Route 47
Flinders Ranges WayHawkerQuornStirling North98abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1998

National Route 56
Wilmington–Ucolta RoadWinninowieUcolta123abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1998

National Route 64
Goyder HighwayCrystal BrookMonash266abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1998

National Route 83
The Outback Highway (Barndioota Road)LyndhurstGiles Corner292abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1998
RM Williams WayReplaced by in 1998
Main North RoadReplaced by in 1998

National Route 87
Stuart HighwaySA/NT borderPort Augusta West928abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1974

National Highways

With the passing of the National Roads Act in 1974, selected National Routes were further upgraded to the status of a National Highway: interstate roads linking Australia's capital cities and major regional centres that received federal funding, and were of higher importance than other National Routes. These new routes were symbolised by green shields with gold writing, and the word "National" along the top of the shield. Most of South Australia's National Highways were declared in 1974 and their shields converted in the following years, with National Highway 20 later declared in 1992.

Like National Routes, South Australia's National Highways were also replaced with the alphanumeric system, introduced across the state in 1998: each route was converted to an alphanumeric route number, all keeping their number during the conversion, but also initially keeping the National green-and-gold shield design; this was eventually eliminated in 2017.

RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotes

National Highway 1
SA/WA borderTailem Bend1716abbr=onNaNabbr=on– replaced by in 1998, being progressively replaced by from 2017
Princes Highway (I) renamed Augusta Highway in 2011
South Eastern Freeway– progressively reallocated along South Eastern Freeway sections as they opened eventually to Murray Bridge in 1979
– replaced by in 1998, being progressively replaced by from 2017
Princes Highway (II)Replaced by in 1998, being progressively replaced by from 2017

National Highway 8
Dukes HighwayTailem BendSA/Vic border192abbr=onNaNabbr=on– western end re-aligned from Tailem Bend to Coomandook through Cooke Plains in 1980
– re-aligned through Bordertown when Bordertown bypass opened in 1987
– replaced by in 1998, being progressively replaced by from 2017

National Highway 20
Gepps CrossSA/Vic border267abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1998, being progressively replaced by from 2017

National Highway 87
Stuart HighwaySA/NT borderPort Augusta West928abbr=onNaNabbr=onReplaced by in 1998, being progressively replaced by from 2017

State Routes (from Victoria)

South Australia never adopted State Routes, but allowed two Victorian rural State Routes to cross the border and terminate in South Australian locations within 20 km of it when they were rolled out there in 1985; these were replaced by their Victorian equivalent alphanumeric allocations in 1998.

RouteComponent roadsFromViaToLengthNotes

State Route 112
Glenelg HighwayGlenburnieSA/Vic border15.3abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinued east as along Glenelg Highway into Victoria eventually to Ballarat; replaced by in 1998

State Route 130
Wimmera HighwayNaracoorteSA/Vic border23abbr=onNaNabbr=onContinued east as along Wimmera Highway into Victoria eventually to St Arnaud; replaced by in 1998

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Metropolitan Publications. Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts, Metropolitan Region. https://web.archive.org/web/20000421012617/http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/metro/publications.html. 21 April 2000. Trailblazers is a new route numbering system that guides both local and visiting road users through unfamiliar areas by the most efficient routes. This brochure includes a map illustrating the 19 designated routes in the metropolitan area extending to main tourism locations of Victor Harbor and the Barossa Valley. The new signs display the route number, the name of the road being travelled on, major crossroads being approached and destinations along each leg..
  2. Web site: Where the new routes are. Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts, Transport SA, Metropolitan Region. https://web.archive.org/web/20020910143714/http://transport.sa.gov.au/metro/pics2/bigmap.jpg. 10 September 2002.
  3. . Hansard . 24 June 1999 . House of Assembly - Estimates Committee B . Address to Estimates Committee B . 12 September 2012 . 102 . Parliament of South Australia . In terms of each class of output to be delivered by Transport SA in the year 1999-2000, the highlights are as follows: ... extension of the route numbering system across the rural arterial network ... . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202859/http://hansard.parliament.sa.gov.au/wp/EB240699.PDF . 14 July 2014 . dead .
  4. Web site: Location SA Map viewer with road route layers . . 26 June 2022.
  5. Web site: A simpler way to navigate . Government of South Australia, Department for Infrastructure and Transport . 25 March 2020 . . 26 June 2022.