Driving in New Zealand
Self-driving holidays in New Zealand are very popular and are one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy our fantastic landscape. Many of our roads are scenic and traffic is relatively low in comparison to other countries.
When planning your trip, be aware of your driving times - although distances may seem short, our roads often include hilly or winding terrain, which slow down your journey. The table at the bottom of this page provides a guideline to distances and driving times between some of the major NZ centres.
Driving Licence
You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). After 12 months you are required to convert to a New Zealand licence.
Road Rules
New Zealanders drive on the left-hand side of the road. Drivers give way
to all traffic crossing or approaching from the right.
The speed limit is 100km/h on the open road and 50km/h in urban areas. Larger
cities have multi-lane motorways and expressways, with most roads being
dual carriageways. Signposting follows standard international symbols and
all distances are in kilometres (km). Both drivers and passengers must wear
a safety belt in both the front and back seats.
Do not drink alcohol before driving in New Zealand, drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced.
For more information about New Zealand Road Rules, please see - What's Different about driving in New Zealand.
Driving Times and Distances
The following chart provides approximate distances and driving times between main centres in the North Island and South Island.
| 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 |
|