Driving times between main New Zealand towns
| Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland to Wellington | 640 km | 8 to 8.5 hours |
| Auckland to the Bay of Islands | 240 km | 3 to 3.5 hours |
| Picton to Christchurch via Kaikōura | About 336 km | 4.5 to 5 hours |
| Christchurch to Queenstown via Tekapo | About 480 km | About 6 hours |
| Christchurch to Dunedin | 360 km | About 5 hours |
| Queenstown to Te Anau | 170 km | About 2 hours |
| Te Anau to Milford Sound | 120 km | About 2 hours |
How it's calculated
Driving minutes = distance (km) ÷ average speed (km/h) × 60Total minutes = driving minutes + 20 × stops
The average speed is not the speed limit. It allows for corners, hills, one-lane bridges, towns and slower traffic. The four road types use 85, 70, 60 and 45 km/h.
Worked example
A 250 km day on winding or coastal roads at 60 km/h is 4 h 10 min of driving. Add 3 stops at 20 minutes each and the day takes 5 h 10 min.
Assumptions
- The average speeds are planning figures for a car or campervan in good conditions, not measured averages for any one road.
- Each stop counts 20 minutes for fuel, food, a toilet or a viewpoint. Ferries, road works and long walks need adding on top.
- Weather, slips and closures change routes. Check NZTA's journey planner for current road conditions before you set off.
Sources
Common questions
How far can you drive in a day in New Zealand?+
There is no single number. Winding roads, one-lane bridges and stops keep average speeds well below the open-road limit, so a day that looks short on a map can take most of the daylight. Enter the distance and road type to see the hours, and plan regular rest breaks.
Why is this longer than my maps app?+
Maps apps estimate moving time with no stops. This uses an average for the kind of road and adds time for each stop, which is closer to how a camping day actually goes.
Does it work for a campervan?+
Yes. Choose a slower road type if you are driving a large vehicle, towing, or new to driving on the left.
Related guides
More road trip calculators
Plan it in KiwiCamping
Find the stops, then do the maths.
KiwiCamping is free to download for iPhone. Bookable holiday parks, stays and tours are free in the app. DOC campsites, huts, dump stations and the guides open with the Pass.
