Travelling out of Auckland Travelling out of Auckland

Before you begin that epic road trip out of Auckland, make sure you're prepped for the journey and plan ahead to minimise the risk of fatigue.

Drive safely within the speed limits

Remember to drive safely within speed limits and to the conditions. The faster you travel, the less time you have to respond to hazards – and if you crash the impact will be greater, resulting in more severe injuries.

Find out more about road safety

Live congestion updates

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) provide comprehensive traffic and travel information. You can use their live traffic information map to see real time congestion information.

NZTA traffic and travel information

Beware of driver fatigue when taking a long trip

Fatigue can happen to drivers long before they fall asleep at the wheel. Fatigue is tiredness, weariness or exhaustion and it can affect driver’s reaction time and ability to focus on the road and traffic around them.

Signs of driver fatigue

  • Reduced concentration.
  • Sore eyes.
  • Day dreaming.
  • Slow reactions.
  • Blurry vision.

Common effects of fatigue

  • Drifting off the road.
  • More frequent and unnecessary changes in speed.
  • Not reacting in time to avoid a dangerous situation.

Tips to improve your alertness

  • Get plenty of sleep before a long journey.
  • Plan to drive during times of the day when you’re normally awake.
  • Snack light and stay hydrated.
  • Share the driving.

These are only short-term solutions. The best solution is finding somewhere to stop and sleep. Schedule a break at least once every hour, and whenever you begin to feel sleepy. Try to avoid napping in the driver’s seat, and try not to nap for longer than 40 minutes.

Find out where rest stops and high-risk areas are

Plan ahead to minimise the risk of fatigue. Find rest areas and high-risk areas for common routes out of Auckland below.

Auckland to Coromandel

Download: Auckland to Coromandel rest stop map (PDF 516KB)

Auckland to Coromandel fatigue stops schematic map

Te Mata to Coromandel township

50km stretch of winding road, drive with caution.

Te Matata to Coromandel Township - high risk area

State Highway 2 exiting to State Highway 25

Be cautious of queues, reduce speed.

State Highway 2 exiting to state highway 25 - high risk area map

State Highway 2 near Maramarua

Be cautious of queues, reduce speed.

High risk area map - State Highway 2 near maramarua

Waikato expressway exiting to State Highway 2, exit 477

Be cautious of queues turning off to Coromandel exit 477, reduce speed.

High risk area map - Waikato expressway exiting to State Highway 2, exit 477

Auckland to Hamilton

Download: Auckland to Hamilton rest stop map (PDF 548KB)

Auckland to Hamilton fatigue stops schematic map

Waikato Expressway exiting to State Highway 2 exit 477

Be cautious of queues turning off to Coromandel Exit 477.

High risk crash area - Waikato expressway exiting to state highway 2 exit 477

Rangiriri

State Highway 1 speed limit 50km, on the stretch of road through the town.

High risk crash area - Rangiriri

Huntly

State Highway 1 speed limit 50km, on the stretch of road through the town.

High risk crash area - Huntly

Taupiri roundabout

Reduce speed on roundabout.

High risk crash area - Taupiri roundabout

Auckland to Kerikeri

Download: Auckland to Kerikeri rest stop map (PDF 624KB)

Auckland to Kerikeri schematic map - fatigue stops

Hukerenui

Reduce speed and take care on bends.

High risk area from Auckland to Kerikeri - Hukerenui

Brynderwyn

Reduce speed and take care on bends.

High risk area from Auckland to Kerikeri - Brynderwyn

Wellsford

Reduce speed and take care when over taking.

High risk area from Auckland to Kerikeri - Wellsford

Dome Valley

Reduce speed and take care on bends.

High risk area from Auckland to Kerikeri - Dome Valley

Auckland to Waihi

Download: Auckland to Waihi rest stop map (PDF 364KB)

Auckland To Waihi Schematic Map Fatigue Stops

State Highway 2 exiting to State Highway 25

Be cautious of queues, reduce speed.

High risk area from Auckland to Waihi - State Highway 2 exiting to State Highway 25

State Highway 2 near Maramarua

Be cautious of queues, reduce speed.

High risk area from Auckland to Waihi - State Highway 2 near Maramarua

Waikato Expressway exiting to State Highway 2 exit 477

Be cautious of queues turning off to Coromandel exit 477, reduce speed.

High risk area from Auckland to Waihi - Waikato Expressway exiting to State Highway 2 exit 477