Plan your route
New Zealand Road Trip Itineraries by Rental Car: 7, 10 and 14 Days
Ready-made New Zealand road trips for 7, 10 and 14 days, with daily driving distances, where to pick up and drop off the car, and what to book ahead.
New Zealand looks small on a map, but its roads are winding, often two-lane and slower than visitors expect. Plan on 60–80 km/h averages and keep most days under about 250 km of driving. The three routes below do that: 7 days on the North Island, 10 days on the South Island, and 14 days across both with the Cook Strait ferry in the middle. Each is a one-way trip, so book a one-way rental and check the drop-off fee.
How much can you drive in a day?
Less than you think. Most of New Zealand’s state highways are one lane each way, with hills, one-lane bridges, roadworks and towns to slow through. A realistic average is 60–80 km/h, so 250 km is a full day once you add stops. The longest leg in the plans below is Taupō to Wellington, about 375 km — around five hours of driving.
7 days: North Island, Auckland to Wellington
Pick up: Auckland Airport. Drop off: Wellington Airport or the ferry terminal. About 900 km.
| Day | Route | Approx. distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland → Waitomo | 190 km | Glowworm caves; Hobbiton is a short detour |
| 2 | Waitomo → Rotorua | 145 km | Geothermal parks, Māori cultural evening |
| 3 | Rotorua | — | Redwoods, lakes, Wai-O-Tapu |
| 4 | Rotorua → Taupō | 80 km | Huka Falls, Lake Taupō |
| 5 | Taupō (Tongariro day) | about 100 km return | Tongariro Alpine Crossing — book a shuttle; it’s a one-way walk |
| 6 | Taupō → Wellington | 375 km | Desert Road, then the Kāpiti Coast |
| 7 | Wellington | — | Te Papa museum, the waterfront, cable car |
10 days: South Island loop from Christchurch
Pick up and drop off: Christchurch Airport — no one-way fee. About 1,800 km, including the West Coast.
| Day | Route | Approx. distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christchurch → Hokitika via Arthur’s Pass | 250 km | Alpine pass, Castle Hill |
| 2 | Hokitika → Franz Josef | 135 km | Glacier valley walk |
| 3 | Franz Josef → Haast | 140 km | Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier |
| 4 | Haast → Wānaka | 140 km | Haast Pass, Blue Pools — fill up before you leave Haast |
| 5 | Wānaka → Queenstown | 70 km | Crown Range road (chains may be needed in winter) |
| 6 | Queenstown → Te Anau | 170 km | Lake Wakatipu, Kingston |
| 7 | Milford Sound return | 240 km | Homer Tunnel, cruise — no fuel on the Milford Road |
| 8 | Te Anau → Queenstown | 170 km | Arrowtown, Gibbston Valley |
| 9 | Queenstown → Lake Tekapo | 260 km | Lindis Pass, Lake Pūkaki, Aoraki/Mount Cook detour |
| 10 | Lake Tekapo → Christchurch | 225 km | Church of the Good Shepherd, Geraldine |
14 days: both islands, Auckland to Queenstown
Pick up: Auckland Airport. Drop off: Queenstown Airport. About 2,300 km plus the Cook Strait ferry on day 6 (about three to three and a half hours). Follow days 1–6 of the North Island plan to Wellington, then:
| Day | Route | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Ferry to Picton → Kaikōura | 155 km after the ferry |
| 7 | Kaikōura → Christchurch | 180 km |
| 8 | Christchurch → Lake Tekapo | 225 km |
| 9 | Lake Tekapo → Aoraki/Mount Cook | 105 km |
| 10 | Mount Cook → Wānaka | 210 km |
| 11 | Wānaka → Queenstown | 70 km |
| 12–14 | Te Anau, Milford Sound, back to Queenstown | 580 km over three days |
The ferry decides your booking. Some rental companies let you take the car on board; others ask you to drop it in Wellington and collect another in Picton. Read taking a rental car on the Cook Strait ferry before you book either the car or the ferry.
Booking tips for a one-way road trip
- Compare one-way fees. Dropping the car somewhere else usually costs extra. Search with “Different drop-off location” ticked to see the total. See one-way car rental.
- Book December to February early. It’s the busiest time of year, and automatics and vans sell out first.
- Choose unlimited kilometres. These routes add up to 900–2,300 km.
- Check what the rental terms say about unsealed roads before planning side trips such as Skippers Canyon — many rental agreements don’t allow them.
- Check the road status each morning on the NZTA Journey Planner. Slips and snow close mountain roads, especially the Milford Road and Arthur’s Pass.
- NZ Transport Agency — Journey Planner (road closures and travel times)
- Tourism New Zealand — Driving in New Zealand
- Interislander
- Bluebridge
Checked November 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the official source and your rental company's terms.
Traveller toolkit
Driving in New Zealand: rules & trip tools
Quick checks based on New Zealand's official driving rules — so there are no surprises at the rental desk or on the road.
- 50Towns and citiesUsual limit in urban areas — some streets are lower.
- 100Most open roads & motorwaysThe maximum on most rural highways.
- 110Some expresswaysOnly where signs show 110.
- 20Passing a stopped school busIn either direction, while children may be getting on or off.
Speed limits are in kilometres per hour and can change along a road — always follow the posted signs.
- Keep leftDrive on the left side of the road and keep left unless passing.
- Alcohol limitsDrivers 20 and over: 250 mcg per litre of breath (50 mg per 100 ml of blood). Drivers under 20: zero.
- Seatbelts & childrenEveryone must wear a seatbelt. Children under 7 must be in an approved child restraint — ask for one when you book.
- No hand-held phonesUsing a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal — use hands-free or pull over.
- Carry your licenceKeep your licence (and translation or IDP if needed) with you whenever you drive.
- One-lane bridgesMany rural bridges are one lane. If the red (smaller) arrow points your way, give way to oncoming traffic.
- Take breaksLong drives are tiring — stop for a break about every 2 hours.
- Fuel & distancesFuel is sold by the litre and distances are in kilometres. Fill up before remote stretches — stations can be far apart.
Sources: Tourism New Zealand — driving licences & permits · Ministry of Transport — drink-driving limits · NZ Transport Agency — Road Code. A general guide, not legal advice.
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