Traffic delays are inevitable this Auckland Anniversary weekend but planning ahead and allowing plenty of time for your long weekend getaway will help you stay safe and avoid the queues.

“With plenty of traffic likely on the region’s highways, it’s important drivers factor in plenty of time for their journeys,” says Brett Gliddon, the agency’s Auckland and Northland Highway Manager.

“The trick is to be clever and plan your journey outside the times and routes when everyone else is on the move.”

Busiest times

On long weekends the traffic tends to start building from about 10am on Friday and remains heavy until about 9pm. The heaviest flows are in the afternoon and evening between 2pm and 8pm.

The weather plays a big part in determining the busy periods heading home again on Monday.

“If it’s sunny people tend to squeeze the last bit of sunshine out of the day and don’t head home until mid-afternoon or late evening," says Mr Gliddon. "If the weather’s not so great people return home earlier and we see plenty of traffic between midday and the early evening.” 

Northern Gateway Toll Road

One of the busiest highways will be the Northern Gateway Toll Road on State Highway 1 north of Auckland with more than 21,000 trips a day during previous anniversary weekends.

If you're using the Northern Gateway Toll Road, you can make the journey easier by prepaying your tolls.

For those travelling between Auckland and Northland, State Highway 16 is a really good option to avoid congestion on SH1 around Warkworth.

Heavy traffic expected on SH2 to Coromandel

State Highway 2 to Coromandel is another busy area for people heading out of town on Friday and returning again on Monday.

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Drive safe

Delays, heat, noisy children and fatigue are all factors that can lead to crashes, so give the road the attention it deserves.

Last year alcohol and motorists driving too fast for the conditions caused nearly half of all crashes in Auckland.

NZTA advises drivers to stay sober and alert, watch your speed, make sure everyone is wearing a correctly fitted seatbelt, be courteous to other road users and drive to the conditions – these are things all motorists can contribute to making the roads safer. 

Auckland Council News