One-Way Car Rental Wellington to Auckland

GO Rentals one-way road trip: Wellington to Auckland Car Rentals

Get ready to explore New Zealand with GO Rentals, your go-to for car hire from Wellington to Auckland. Whether you're picking up your vehicle at the airport or at one of our handy locations, let's GO and make your Car Hire Wellington to Auckland adventure unforgettable!

Why GO One-Way Wellington to Auckland?

Choosing GO Rentals for your one-way car hire from Wellington to Auckland means embracing the freedom of the open road. With convenient branches in both cities, you can easily pick up and drop off your vehicle. Experience stunning Kiwi landscapes and vibrant cities — GO explore the best of New Zealand!

Why GO Wellington to Auckland with us?

  • FREE basic car rental insurance

    Our basic insurance cover is included in the cost of every car hire with two upgraded insurance options available!

  • One-way car rentals

    We can organise one-way rentals with pick-up in one location and drop-off in another. Stick to your dream itinerary without worrying about circling back.

  • Offset carbon emissions

    In partnership with CarbonClick, you can choose to offset the carbon emission of your GO Rentals road trip.

  • 24hr AA roadside assistance

    All GO Rentals hire cars have access to the AA 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance and our Tesla EVs have access to Tesla Roadside Assistance.

  • GO App

    With our GO Rentals App, you can book a car, check in faster and even control your Tesla car functions, right from the palm of your hand.

How to Rent a Car with GO Rentals

For a seamless car hire experience from Wellington to Auckland, simply add your pick-up date and itinerary details to our booking widget and click "Find my car". We offer one-way car rentals at all of our 9 convenient drop-off locations across the South and North Islands, ensuring drivers get good value and a seamless experience. Please note:

  • A one-way fee may apply, depending on availability at our branches. The exact amount will show on your booking summary before checkout.
  • Our minimum one-way car hire period may vary between 1 and 7 days, depending on the driving distance between Wellington and Auckland.
  • While our one-way rentals depend on peak season times and vehicle availability, we can create more one-way availability if we need to move vehicles. If you're not satisfied with our website's availability, please call us, and we'll do our best to accommodate your epic Wellington to Auckland road trip.

Explore New Zealand with ease and convenience with GO Rentals. Whether you start your journey in Wellington or Auckland, our rental cars offer the freedom and flexibility to make your trip unforgettable.

One-Way Car Rental Customer Facts

  • Minimum Age: You must be 21 years old to cruise in a standard GO Rentals hire car and 25 to experience the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y hire cars. Good news: we do not apply a young driver surcharge!
  • Maximum Age: There is no age limit to GO with us! As long as you have a valid licence, we welcome you with open arms.
  • New Zealand Licence Rule: Temporary, restricted and full driver's licences are permitted to rent some vehicles with GO. Photo identification is required if hiring a vehicle with a New Zealand temporary licence. Electric vehicles cannot be hired on a restricted licence.
  • Foreign Licence Rule: Valid, full driver's licences are accepted from overseas travellers but must be translated to English and NZTA approved. Foreign learner's and provisional licences are not valid for renting with GO.
  • Credit Card Requirement: A credit card is required for bookings with the Basic or Assured insurance options that require a bond deposit. A debit card is acceptable for the upgraded Peace of Mind or some Assured insurance options without a bond requirement.
  • Additional Drivers: Simply pop in to any of our branches and show us your driver's licence to add you onto a booking.
  • Family needs: You can hire baby capsules, child seats and booster seats for your little ones! Add them onto your booking quote and we will fit them ready for you to GO.
  • Documents for collection: You will need your valid driver licence and your debit or credit card in your name. Note that a credit card is required for bookings with the Basic or Assured insurance option that requires a bond deposit.

Cruise Wellington to Auckland with convenient pick-up and drop-off

You can take any GO Rentals vehicle on the Cook Strait Ferry between the North and South Island, which is perfect for a stress-free one-way road trip. We have 9 car rental branches spread evenly throughout New Zealand, in the major destinations. You’re never far from a GO Rentals car.

GO Rentals App for a ridiculously simple pick-up and drop-off

Get your journey started as quickly as possible thanks to our speedy check-in. Manage your booking online or download our app to get through the check-in process and on the road faster.

Image of a GO Rentals branch showing its self-service kiosks
The GO Experience (1:58)

What our customers have to say

Wellington to Auckland One Way Trip Ideas

We love knowing that our rental cars do more than just get you from A to B. With an interactive trip planner and an extensive travel blog to inspire you, your one-way car rental in New Zealand is an epic adventure with a GO Rentals car. Here are some fantastic stops to make your Wellington to Auckland road trip unforgettable:

  • Wellington City Centre

    Start your journey in New Zealand's vibrant capital and pick up your stress-free one-way car hire from our Wellington Airport branch.

  • Palmerston North

    Drive north to Palmerston North, home to Te Manawa Museum and Art Gallery. This city offers a blend of cultural attractions and outdoor activities, perfect for a quick stop, trust us.

  • Whanganui

    We recommend a Whanganui stop to enjoy a river cruise or visit the Whanganui National Park. This scenic spot provides a tranquil break for your road trip.

  • Tongariro National Park

    No kiwi road trip is complete without a mountain view and there is nothing better than New Zealand's oldest national park. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the best one-day hikes in the world, you are welcome.

  • Taupo

    From New Zealand’s oldest National Park to New Zealand’s largest lake. Whether it's summer or winter, Taupo offers activities like boating, fishing, and even snow sports on nearby Mount Ruapehu.

  • Rotorua

    Rotorua is a must-visit for a relaxing road trip break. Enjoy hot springs, mud pools, and a rich Maori cultural experience in this fascinating town.

  • Hamilton Gardens

    Next, take a little drive north to take a stroll through the stunning themed gardens in Hamilton. This stop offers a peaceful break and a chance to explore beautiful landscapes.

  • Auckland

    You made it! New Zealand’s largest city has everything you could want, from vibrant city centre bars to stunning landscapes. Easily drop off your rental car in Auckland and our staff will be happy to hear your one-way rental top tips!

GO explore the North Island and discover the best of New Zealand with GO Rentals!

Wellington to Auckland through the lens of our Snap Happy Customers

We love that our stress-free rental cars do more than get you from A to B. They become part of your travel memories, and we want to see them!

Submit a happy photo to our Snap Happy Photo Competition and be in with a chance to receive up to $500 back off your booking!

New Zealand is best explored in a modern, reliable car. But don't take our word for it. Cruise through the happy customers revv'd up about their experience:

  • Trevor

    We set ourselves a challenge to do the 20km Tongariro Crossing before we got too old. Pleased to say we made it…just. It was a great experience and for us a great achievement. Magnificent scenery and we had perfect weather. It made us appreciate how easy travelling around NZ in a GO Rentals vehicle was compared to having to use your own legs to get anywhere.

  • Mike

    I was driving around Lake Taupo on a beautiful spring day last week and couldn’t resist pulling over for a few minutes to enjoy the scenery. The waves on the lake and the blue skies made a perfect backdrop, so I took a quick photo of my Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. It was the perfect car for my weeklong road trip all around the North Island. Thanks GO Rentals!

  • Beth

    We did the Redwoods Treewalk as a last-minute decision and it was one of our most iconic moments on the trip to Rotorua thanks to GO Rentals as we wouldn’t have been able to get there as easy without our hire car.

  • Rosalind

    We were up from Dunedin visiting my elderly mother when we decided to take a trip to the Hamilton Gardens. My son had never been there before so hiring the rental car made it possible for us to visit this amazing spot.

One-Way Rental Car Options

With a great selection of affordable vehicles, GO Rentals is ready to get you on the road for a one-way trip. Choose from 4-wheel drives and SUVs for ski or family trips to luxury electric vehicles for a stylish self-drive trip. Put your itinerary details in to see our vehicle availability and start planning your GO trip.

Driving in Wellington and Auckland

Traffic and Parking in Wellington and Auckland

Wellington: Generally lighter traffic than Auckland, though the CBD is still congested during peak hours. Parking is more affordable, ranging from $4 to $5 per hour on weekdays and $3 per hour on weekends. Free parking is available in some suburban areas and on certain restricted streets. Visit the Wellington City Council for more information.

Auckland: Central city traffic is heavy, especially during peak times. Parking options include street parking and several paid facilities. Rates are generally around $5.50 per hour on weekdays, with a daily cap of $24 and $2 per hour on evenings and weekends, with a $15 cap. Free parking is limited to suburban areas and some shopping centres. Check Auckland Transport for more details.

Toll Roads and Road Conditions

New Zealand has only three toll roads, all on the North Island. When driving from Wellington to Auckland, you will encounter the Northern Gateway Toll Road if you take the SH1 route. The roads between these cities are well-maintained with clear signage. Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas and 100 km/h on open roads.

Fortunately, with GO Rentals’ mandatory $3/day Total Road Care Package, you can enjoy free passage on all toll roads. It covers all your toll road fees, including associated admin costs.

For more info, read our guide on New Zealand's toll roads.

Relocation Deals from Wellington to Auckland

We would love for you to save money and still access our award-winning customer service.

We are regularly updating our relocation deals so you can get GOing on a one-way road trip for cheaper. Check out our latest relocation deals to see if your itinerary matches our deal. Save money and still access our award-winning customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions