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Road trip planner

Find the best trip for you.

Two men unpacking a car by a mountain lake during a scenic road trip

New Zealand road trip planner

If you're looking for amazing itineraries complete with all the best hidden gems, you've come to the right place! Our New Zealand road trip planner is everything you need for an unforgettable self-driving holiday!

Whether you're after a weekend getaway or want to see absolutely everything New Zealand has to offer, we've got you covered! Simply enter your preferred start and end locations and you'll have the perfect itinerary at your fingertips.

While a full 28-day Auckland to Auckland trip around New Zealand sounds like heaven to us, we understand it's not for everyone. That's why we offer one-way car rentals, meaning that wherever possible, we make sure you can pick up your car at one of our branches and drop it off at any other.

Once you've got your dream road trip in hand, book a trusty vehicle today and get GOing on your Kiwi adventure!

Popular Trips

Road trip planning tips

Here are a few top tips to ensure your New Zealand self-driving road trip goes off without a hitch:

  • Preparation is key:

    While spontaneity can be a wonderful thing, the perfect road trip does require background work. From choosing all the best destinations to knowing where you'll sleep each night, get your basic travel plans done ahead of time so you can focus on having an amazing trip.

  • Keep your petrol filled:

    New Zealand's rural areas can see you travelling many miles without a chance to fill up your vehicle. When heading into these parts of New Zealand, keep your tank on full and map out service stations along your route. Keep in mind that in some areas, you may be without phone reception to find your nearest station

  • Choose the right car rental:

    Ensure you read plenty of reviews on any rental car you are choosing. Of course, it's important that your vehicle is reliable. You should also make sure you have peace of mind with clear insurance policies and roadside assistance.

New Zealand driving rules and tips

To help you have the most enjoyable road trip possible, there are some simple driving rules and tips to keep in mind:

  • International licences:

    If you're visiting from overseas, you do not require an International Driving Permit to drive in New Zealand. Generally, a full, unrestricted international licence allows you to drive in New Zealand. You must adhere to the conditions of your licence while driving in New Zealand. If your licence is not in English, you must acquire an accurate NZTA-approved translation before driving in New Zealand.

  • Left-hand driving:

    Kiwis drive on the left-hand side of the road. Check out our full guide to left-hand driving to help you remember this important detail.

  • Drink driving limit:

    In New Zealand, drivers under the age of 20 must have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0. Drivers over the age of 20 are restricted to a blood alcohol content of 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood or 250 micrograms per litre of breath.

  • Unsealed roads:

    In smaller areas of New Zealand, many roads are gravel. Drive slowly and carefully on these roads, keeping an eye out for potholes.

  • Winter driving:

    Exploring New Zealand in winter? Roads can become snowy and icy this time of year. For this reason, it's a great idea to carry snow chains in your vehicle, especially on the South Island.

GO Rentals one-way car hire

Your dream itinerary might not involve a full lap of the North Island or the South Island, ending up at the same place. That's why our one-way rentals allow you to road trip without compromise.

If you want a one-way rental, there are a couple of things you’ll have to consider. We do have minimum hire periods in place, and one-way hires are dependent on the time of year and your direction of travel.

On occasion, we also make allowances if we need vehicles in other branches. However, we always do our best to ensure your road trip can go just the way you want it.

With 24-hour roadside assistance, no kilometre limits and the ability to offset your carbon emissions with CarbonClick, there are so many reasons to GO with us. Explore our car rental locations and start planning the adventure of a lifetime today.

Image from the interior of a GO Rentals hire car heading down the winding slopes of a South Island mountain

Through the Lense of our Customers

Our Snap Happy Photo Competition has customers revv’d up about how far they can go in a modern car hire in New Zealand! Submit a cool photo of your GO travel memory and be in with a chance to WIN up to $500 back from your booking too.

  • Josh

    One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to! We drove from Queenstown to Te Anau to spend the night before driving on to Milford Sound. We spent 4 hours in the car that day and the drive to and from the Sound was almost as beautiful as the Sound itself. Made all the more enjoyable in our comfortable Toyota SUV, which did the whole journey from QT to Milford and back on a single tank of petrol. Can’t ask for much more!

  • Gabrielle

    It was right at the beginning of our journey from Queenstown to Milford Sounds - our celebratory trip for our 4 year anniversary. We were so happy to have a 4x4 and cruising around the South Island. Every stop warranted a photograph and the mountains were just incredible. Thanks so much for such an amazing trip travelling in pure style and luxury with fuel cost-effective cars. We will use GO at any opportunity around NZ.

  • Laurence

    My family and I stopped to take in the epic landscape as the mist rolled in on the Milford Sound Road, a beautiful wild place that everyone must visit at least once. We felt safe and capable in our GO Rentals Toyota Hybrid RAV4 vehicle and can't wait to visit again soon!

  • Lea

    This road was so beautiful from Te Anau to Milford Sound I felt the need to capture my car in front of that breath-taking panorama. It’s been a faithful companion through sun and rain, highway and gravel roads.

Frequently asked questions

Are there toll roads in New Zealand?

Yes, there are 3 toll roads in New Zealand.

  • Auckland Northern Gateway Toll Road: This toll road is part of State Highway 1, between the areas of Silverdale and Johnstone Hills north of Auckland.
  • Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road: This toll road is a 15km stretch of State Highway 2 near Tauranga. Its location means you are likely to find yourself on it if your journey involves going past Tauranga.
  • Tauranga Takituma Drive Toll Road: This road bypasses the Tauranga city centre and stretches across 5km, taking traffic from State Highway 2 to State Highway 29.

In short, if you aren't travelling near Auckland or Tauranga, your journey is guaranteed to be toll-free.

If you do encounter one of these toll roads on your journey, you can keep trekking with total peace of mind. That’s because of GO Rentals’ mandatory $3/day Total Road Care package. This covers all toll road fees you incur when travelling around New Zealand.

What should I check in my car before a road trip?

If you're taking your own car on a road trip, important things to check include fluid levels like engine oil, brake fluid, coolant and transmission fluid. You must also check your tyres for any issues with pressure or tread depth.

Other important areas to focus on when checking your car are its battery, brakes, lights and belts.

If you book a vehicle with GO Rentals, you can rest assured that your car will be in tip-top shape from the moment you pick it up. All you need to do is hop in and kick off your journey.

What should I bring on a road trip?

When packing on a road trip, ensure you have your driver licence, car registration and insurance information on hand. When road tripping deep in rural New Zealand, you may find yourself without phone signal, so physical maps can be handy too.

Other essentials include a spare tyre and tools, cash, roadside assistance contact, and plenty of food for your journey.

How long does it take to road trip around New Zealand?

While you could technically get a full New Zealand North to South Island road trip done in around 1 week, we say you're short-changing yourself by taking any less than 28 days. This will give you enough time to sample the best of both islands.

Don't have a full month up your sleeve? You're better off selecting a more bite-sized itinerary and coming back to see more another time. We'll be waiting for your return visit!