Driving on Gravel Roads in a Rental Car

Can I drive a rental car on gravel roads in New Zealand?

Sometimes — it depends on the company and sometimes on the road. Rental agreements in New Zealand handle unsealed roads in three broad ways:

• Not allowed at all, apart from short stretches such as a gravel car park or driveway.
• Allowed, but at your own risk — damage that happens there isn’t covered by the insurance or excess reduction.
• Allowed, except named roads. Steep, narrow or remote roads are commonly excluded by name — Skippers Road near Queenstown is a well-known example — as is driving on beaches, such as Ninety Mile Beach in Northland.

The rule is in the vehicle-use or “prohibited roads” section of the Rental Terms, which you can read before you pay. If a gravel road is part of your plan, choose a company that allows it.

What does insurance usually not cover on gravel?

Even with full excess reduction, these are often listed as exclusions — and gravel roads are where they happen:

• windscreen and window chips from flying stones,
• tyres and wheels,
• damage to the underside of the car,
• any damage on a road the agreement doesn’t allow.

Some travel insurance policies include rental-vehicle excess cover — check yours, and check whether it has the same exclusions.

Which popular places need a gravel road?

A lot of New Zealand’s scenery is reached on sealed highways, but some favourite spots have gravel at the end — for example parts of the road up the Matukituki Valley from Wānaka towards Mount Aspiring National Park, many walking-track car parks, and back-country roads to lakes and huts. Before you go, check the road with the Department of Conservation (DOC) page for the walk, and look at your Rental Terms.

If a road isn’t allowed, there’s often a shuttle or tour that goes there instead.

How to drive safely on gravel

• Slow down — gravel gives far less grip, especially on corners and downhill.
• Keep your distance from the car in front, and slow right down when one comes the other way — that’s when stones chip windscreens.
• Brake gently and early, in a straight line before the corner.
• Keep left on blind corners — many gravel roads are narrow with no centre line.
• Watch for fords and washouts after rain. Don’t drive through water if you can’t see the bottom.
• Dust hides other cars — turn your headlights on.

Would a 4WD or SUV help?

A higher car is more comfortable on rough gravel, but a 4WD doesn’t change what the rental agreement allows. Some companies offer vehicles specifically allowed on certain unsealed roads; if that matters, check before you book rather than assuming the car type covers it.