Route Planner New Zealand

Routenplaner24 is a free route planner for New Zealand. Enter a start and a destination to get the fastest route with live traffic, the distance in kilometres and turn-by-turn directions.

Route Planner New Zealand: route, distance and driving time

New Zealand looks small on the map, but winding roads, mountain passes and one-lane bridges make journeys take longer than you might expect. Auckland to Wellington is about eight hours, and on the South Island routes such as Christchurch to Queenstown lead through spectacular but slow mountain scenery.

The New Zealand route planner calculates the fastest route between any two places free of charge, with live traffic, up to two alternative routes and turn-by-turn directions. Below you will find popular routes with distances in kilometres, the three toll roads, the ferry between the islands and the most important rules of the road.

Popular routes in New Zealand

Plan a route from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin, Queenstown, Rotorua, Napier or Nelson to anywhere in New Zealand. The table shows the distance and driving time for frequently searched routes. Click “Plan route” to load the start and destination into the route planner.

Route	Distance	Driving time*	Plan route
Auckland to Wellington	644 km	8 h	Plan route
Auckland to Hamilton	124 km	1 h 35 min	Plan route
Auckland to Rotorua	227 km	2 h 55 min	Plan route
Auckland to Tauranga	226 km	2 h 50 min	Plan route
Rotorua to Taupō	81 km	1 h 15 min	Plan route
Wellington to Napier	315 km	4 h 20 min	Plan route
Christchurch to Queenstown	481 km	6 h 30 min	Plan route
Christchurch to Dunedin	361 km	5 h 5 min	Plan route
Christchurch to Kaikōura	181 km	2 h 40 min	Plan route
Nelson to Christchurch	416 km	6 h 5 min	Plan route
Queenstown to Wānaka	67 km	1 h 20 min	Plan route
Queenstown to Milford Sound	288 km	4 h 25 min	Plan route

* Driving time for the fastest route without breaks, calculated for normal traffic. “Plan route” calculates the route with live traffic and alternatives.

Toll roads and ferries in New Zealand

New Zealand has only three toll roads, and each has a free alternative route:

Northern Gateway (State Highway 1, north of Auckland): $2.60 for a car
Tauranga Eastern Link (State Highway 2, Tauranga): $2.30 for a car
Takitimu Drive (Tauranga)

There are no toll booths. Pay online with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) – before your trip or within five days after it. With a rental car, the rental company usually charges the toll to you.

Cook Strait ferry: to drive between the North and South Islands, take the car ferry between Wellington and Picton (about three and a half hours). Interislander and Bluebridge sail several times a day – book ahead in summer.

Rules of the road in New Zealand at a glance

Side of the road	drive on the left, overtake on the right
Speed limits	50 km/h in towns, 100 km/h on the open road and 110 km/h on some motorways and expressways – always follow the signs
Drink-driving limit	50 mg alcohol per 100 ml blood (250 µg per litre of breath) for drivers aged 20 and over; zero alcohol for drivers under 20
One-lane bridges	a sign shows who has to give way – the direction with the smaller red arrow must wait
Turning	when turning left, give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction that are turning right
Mobile phones	hand-held use while driving is illegal
Emergency number	111

As of November 2026. No liability for accuracy – rules and prices can change.

Tips for driving in New Zealand

Allow more time

Many highways have only two lanes, lots of bends and few passing lanes. On rural routes, plan for an average of 60 to 80 km/h, and pull over to let faster traffic pass.

Weather and mountain passes

In winter, snow and ice can close passes such as the Crown Range Road, Lewis Pass and the Milford Road, and chains may be required. Check the NZTA road conditions before you leave.

Ferries between the islands

If your route crosses Cook Strait, it uses the car ferry between Wellington and Picton. Book your car crossing in advance, especially in summer and during the school holidays.

Gravel roads and rental cars

Some scenic routes are unsealed, and many rental agreements exclude gravel roads. Check before you go – or tick “Avoid options → Unpaved roads” in the route planner.

Frequently asked questions

Are there toll roads in New Zealand?

Yes, three: the Northern Gateway north of Auckland, and the Tauranga Eastern Link and Takitimu Drive in Tauranga. All of them have free alternatives. There are no toll booths – you pay online before or after your trip.

What is the speed limit in New Zealand?

The default limit is 50 km/h in urban areas and 100 km/h on the open road. Some motorways and expressways have a limit of 110 km/h. Lower limits apply around schools and on many winding roads, so always follow the signs.

How long does it take to drive from Auckland to Wellington?

The fastest route is about 644 km long, mostly on State Highway 1. Without breaks the driving time is about 8 hours; with breaks, plan for 9 to 10 hours or an overnight stop, for example in Taupō.

How do I take my car from the North Island to the South Island?

Take a car ferry across Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton. The crossing takes about three and a half hours, and Interislander and Bluebridge operate several sailings a day – book ahead, especially in summer.

What is the drink-driving limit in New Zealand?

For drivers aged 20 and over, the limit is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. Drivers under 20 must not drink any alcohol before driving.