The Hume Highway is Australia's most important freight corridor, connecting the nation's two largest cities, Melbourne and Sydney, and linking ports, distribution centres, manufacturers, agribusinesses and consumers across the eastern seaboard.

It is effectively the backbone of Australia's road freight network, supporting supply chains that extend well beyond Victoria and New South Wales into Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania. Goods travelling along the Hume Highway connect directly with the Ports of Melbourne, Botany and Brisbane, making it a nationally significant economic corridor.