After you become an Uber driver, there’s plenty to worry about on the road. Driving in heavy traffic is not only nerve-wracking, but it damages your car in the long run, not to mention that it puts you in harm’s way because of the increased accident risk.

With hook turns, trams, and plenty of cyclists to be mindful of, it’s little wonder that Melbourne’s roads are considered the most dangerous in Australia. In a 2019 survey conducted by AAMI on accident locations, nine of the top ten crash locations in the country were found in Australia’s garden city.

Read this guide to get familiar with five of the most congested roads in Melbourne, as well as five of the most dangerous. Make a mental map and avoid these stretches whenever possible.

Top 5 congested roads in Melbourne for Uber drivers to avoid

Driving on congested roads is not only stressful but also pricey. A constantly idling engine wastes massive amounts of fuel, and slowly creeping forward in first gear grinds away your clutch as fast as your nerves. Not to mention the cost of repairing those scratches and bumps that in heavy traffic are a question of ‘when’ rather than ‘if.’

In conclusion, you and your wallet will both be happier if you avoid at least the five busiest roads in Melbourne:

1. Punt Road, Richmond

Punt Road is synonymous with AFL and the Richmond Tigers, but to drivers, it also spells bad traffic. During rush hour and around AFL games at the MCG, or soccer/rugby games at AAMI, this road can be banked up all the way back to Bridge Road.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

2. Alexandra Parade, Fitzroy

When a freeway meets suburbia it never ends well for local commuters, with a reduced number of lanes and speed limits creating bottlenecks. Alexandra Parade in Fitzroy is a classic case, where traffic can bank up in a short amount of time.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

3. Nicholson St, Carlton

Nicholson Street has some sections that can become congested very quickly, the Victoria Parade intersection in particular. With a very short set of lights, you may find yourself stuck here for 5 minutes or more on a bad day.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

4. Johnson Street, Abbotsford

Johnson Street is a traffic hotspot most days of the week. However, the section between Studley Park Road and Hoddle Street is especially congested during the after-work rush hours.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

5. Peel Street, Melbourne

Even in normal traffic conditions, this roundabout at the end of Peel Street creates significant congestion. With trams and five main roads colliding at this intersection, practice your favourite breathing exercises, as stress levels can rise quickly here.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

Top 5 dangerous roads in Melbourne for Uber drivers to avoid

At the end of the day, traffic is something we rarely have the luxury to avoid. However, there’s another good reason besides stress and money to do your best to stay away from congestion. Namely that traffic also carries the bigger and more imminent danger of an accident.

No matter how carefully you drive, even if you have decades of spotless driving experience, other traffic participants may cause you a nasty surprise any minute. Needless to say, the chances of this happening grow exponentially as you enter the more hazard-stricken roads.

Have these five most dangerous roads in Melbourne in the back of your mind whenever you’re out driving. Consider taking the bypassing streets when you’re in the area, especially during peak hours.

1. Plenty Road, Bundoora

Rated as the most dangerous road in Australia, Plenty Road in Bundoora has held the title for a number of years. Bookended by the Metropolitan Ring Road and Preston High Street, it has several lanes in both directions, and it feeds into many important traffic arteries of Melbourne.

Many traffic lights interrupt Plenty Road at entry and exit points, and there’s also a tram line in the middle, so it’s no wonder it’s become notorious for bad traffic.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

2. Springvale Road, Glen Waverley

Springvale Road connects the north and the south of the eastern suburbs. Passing industrial areas and a number of car dealerships at Glen Waverley, there are always heavy-duty vehicles on this stretch of the road.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

3. Springvale Road, Springvale

No, you’re not seeing double. Springvale Road took second as well as third place in not only Melbourne’s worst crash spots, but in the whole of Australia. The Princes Highway intersection and the southern stretch are not that much safer than the Glen Waverley area, so drive carefully. Or better yet, bypass Springvale Road whenever you can.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

4. Maroondah Highway, Ringwood

Maroondah Highway in the east runs from Mansfeild to Nunawadding before becoming Whitehorse Road. There’s a busy intersection to be aware of, where Maroondah Highway meets Mt Dandenong Road and the Ringwood Bypass. It’s used to access the M3 Eastlink toll road.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

5. Doncaster Road, Doncaster

The final hotspot on the list, Doncaster Road also has its fair share of accidents. With the large Doncaster Shopping Centre nearby and a large bus depot, don’t get complacent behind the wheel in this area.

Melbourne traffic hotspots – The Uber driver’s guide
Source: Google Maps

Looking for a rideshare rental in Melbourne?

We’re Splend, car subscription specialists offering Uber drivers all-inclusive hassle-free car subscription plans, tailored for their needs. Find out more about our Flexi and Flexi own plans.

About Splend

We enable people to make money by driving for on-demand apps such as Uber.

We’re more than a car subscription provider. In addition to new-model cars and all the essentials to start earning money with Uber as quickly as possible, our customers enjoy driver training and dedicated support, as well as customer benefits such as partner discounts and exclusive events.

For more information about Splend, make an appointment and drop by to your local Splend Hub, email us, or say hello on 1800 775 363.