Driving in New Zealand
Remember that although distances may seem short, roads may be through hilly or winding terrain, which will take you more time to drive through. Use our driving times chart to plan your trip carefully, remember the following basic road rules for driving in New Zealand and make sure you've got time to stop and enjoy the scenery:
- In New Zealand, all motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road.
- When turning left, you must give way (yield) to either traffic crossing or approaching from your right.
- The speed limit on the open highway is 100km/h. In urban areas, the speed limit is usually 50km/h.
- Drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts at all times, in both the front and back seats.
- Carry your driver's licence or permit with you at all times.
| NORTH ISLAND | Miles | Km's | Time | SOUTH ISLAND | Miles | Km's | Time | |
| Auckland to: | Christchurch to: | |||||||
| Napier Paihia Rotorua Waitomo Wellington |
262 149 145 124 409 |
422 240 233 200 658 |
06:35 04:15 03:35 03:10 09:15 |
Milford Sound Mount Cook Nelson Picton Queenstown |
480 206 263 209 302 |
772 331 423 336 486 |
10:40 04:55 06:15 05:00 07:15 |
|
| Napier to: | Nelson to: |
|||||||
| Auckland Paihia Rotorua Waitomo Wellington |
262 411 139 190 201 |
422 661 224 306 323 |
06:35 09:50 03:50 05:05 04:50 |
Christchurch Milford Sound Mount Cook Picton Queenstown |
423 1146 775 109 693 |
263 712 469 68 431 |
06:15 18:35 10:30 02:10 12:45 |
|
| Rotorua to: |
Mount Cook to: |
|||||||
| Auckland Napier Paihia Waitomo Wellington |
145 139 295 103 286 |
233 224 475 166 460 |
03:35 03:50 07:50 02:45 06:30 |
Christchurch Milford Sound Nelson Picton Queenstown |
206 342 469 414 163 |
331 550 755 666 262 |
04:55 08:55 10:30 09:45 03:50 |
|
| Waitomo to: |
Picton to: |
|||||||
| Auckland Napier Paihia Rotorua Wellington |
124 190 273 103 294 |
200 306 439 166 473 |
03:10 05:05 07:25 02:45 07:10 |
Christchurch Milford Sound Mount Cook Nelson Queenstown |
209 689 414 68 511 |
336 1109 666 109 822 |
05:00 18:25 09:45 02:10 13:20 |
|
| Wellington to: |
Queenstown to: |
|||||||
| Auckland Napier Paihia Rotorua Waitomo |
409 201 558 286 294 |
658 323 898 460 473 |
09:15 04:50 13:30 06:30 07:10 |
Christchurch Milford Sound Mount Cook Nelson Picton |
302 181 163 431 511 |
486 291 262 693 822 |
07:15 05:05 03:50 12:45 13:20 |
|
More information about driving in New Zealand is provided when you rent a vehicle from us, but if you have any questions about driving car rentals, please contact us.
"USave Rentals offers quality, affordable rental vehicles in New Zealand."