In a nutshell
- In this article you’ll find everything you need to plan your New Zealand road trip — no need to look anywhere else.
- We’ll walk you through a 3-week itinerary covering both islands, complete with a map and day-by-day breakdown.
- For every stop, you’ll get hotel recommendations and our picks for the most important attractions and activities.
- As a bonus: a full 4-week route at the end, plus practical tips on costs, timing, and getting around.
Quick Overview: Our Route for a 3-Week New Zealand Road Trip
Let’s kick things off with a map and a quick overview of our 3-week New Zealand road trip — that way you can get your bearings right away. Further down in the article, we’ll go into detail on each stop.
Here’s what our 3-week New Zealand route looks like:
- Day 1: Auckland
- Days 2–3: Coromandel
- Days 4–5: Tauranga
- Days 6–7: Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo
- Days 8–9: Taranaki
- Day 10: Wellington
- Days 11–12: Marlborough Sounds
- Day 13: Kaikoura
- Days 14–15: Abel Tasman National Park
- Day 16: The Wild West Coast
- Day 17: Franz Josef Glacier
- Day 18: Wanaka
- Days 19–20: Milford Sound and Queenstown
- Day 21: Christchurch
Can you really cover both the North and South Island in one New Zealand road trip?
Great question! Honestly, covering both the North and South Island in just three weeks is pretty ambitious. It’s doable, but you need to go in knowing you’ll only have a short time at each stop.
If you’re worried your New Zealand road trip will feel rushed, we recommend sticking to just one of the two islands. Both have more than enough highlights to fill three weeks. You might not tick every box, but you’ll get to explore each place properly.
If you have four weeks, we’d feel much more relaxed about it — you can cover both islands at a comfortable pace. We’ve put together a separate route with full descriptions for that at the end of the article.
In short: it’s a personal call! Decide whether you’d rather see as many highlights as possible and are okay with a faster pace — or whether you’d prefer to see less but really soak it all in.
Want to explore just one of New Zealand’s two islands? We have two separate, super detailed articles on the North and South Islands, each with a suggested 3-week itinerary.
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Getting Around on Your New Zealand Road Trip
Before we dive into exactly where you’ll be going in New Zealand, there’s another key question to tackle first: how will you be getting around?
Option 1: Rent a Campervan in New Zealand
Traveling New Zealand by campervan has become a real trend. We tried it ourselves, and here are the honest pros and cons from our own experience:
- You can sleep right in nature.
- You have more flexibility.
- You’ll spend less overall.
- Depending on the season, it can get very cold and uncomfortable.
- You have less space and comfort.
- You have to drive more slowly.
Our tip: The platform CamperOase has some great deals for renting a campervan in New Zealand.
If you want more info on traveling New Zealand by campervan, check out this article.
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Option 2: The Classic Route with Hotels and a Rental Car
A campervan road trip isn’t for everyone, though. You can just as easily stay in hotels and book a rental car.
Especially during the summer season between December and February, you should book your hotels as far in advance as possible.
In this article, we’ve added a specific hotel recommendation for every stop on our New Zealand road trip.
For renting a car, we recommend comparing deals on Discovercars — it’s super easy to compare prices and all the included features are clearly listed.
Find the best rental car in New Zealand on Discovercars
Stops on the North Island
Day 1: Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, and along with Christchurch, it has one of the country’s most important international airports. Most rental car companies and campervan rental agencies are located right at or very close to the airport.
That makes Auckland the perfect starting point for your New Zealand road trip — or the end point, depending on how you plan it.
After you arrive, you’ll pick up your rental car and check into your hotel. We’ve covered the arrival process in detail in our New Zealand travel tips.
If you still have time and energy, you can explore Auckland a little. If not, no worries — for us, the city wasn’t a top priority compared to the highlights still ahead.
Our Auckland Itinerary
- Take in the views from the Sky Tower (get tickets)
- Grab a meal in the Viaduct Harbour neighborhood
- Stroll along Queen Street
Our tip: If you’d rather unwind after the long journey somewhere peaceful, head to Piha. This small village sits on a stunning sandy beach just 30 minutes from Auckland and completely won us over — the highlight is Lion’s Rock.
Read all our tips for Auckland:
Our Hotel Recommendations for Auckland
For sightseeing in Auckland, the most convenient place to stay is right in the center — the CBD (Central Business District). Here are our picks:
Days 2–3: Coromandel Peninsula
On your first real travel day, you’ll head to the Coromandel Peninsula. It’s home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the North Island and plenty of charming small towns — a great introduction to your New Zealand itinerary.
To get from Auckland to Coromandel, take Highways 1, 2, and 25.
Drive time Auckland to Coromandel: 3.5 hours
Our Coromandel Itinerary
- Soak in your own thermal pool at Hot Water Beach
- Hike to the Cathedral Cove sea cave
- Browse the shops and galleries in Coromandel Town
- Ride the Driving Creek Railway through the jungle
- Check out the beaches at New Chums, Hahei, and Pauanui
Our tip: Serious hikers should put the day hike to the Pinnacles on their list. And if you’re after an adrenaline rush, a canyoning trip with Canyonz is seriously fun. Just keep in mind that both take a full day each.
Our Hotel Recommendations for Coromandel
There are plenty of places to stay on the Coromandel Peninsula. We recommend basing yourself in Whitianga — you’ll be closest to the beaches and main attractions, and there’s a solid selection of restaurants.
Days 4–5: Tauranga
Next up is Tauranga — a larger coastal city that many Aucklanders flock to for a quick getaway.
You’ll have three of the top things to see in New Zealand on your agenda: the Hobbiton Movie Set, Rotorua, and Mount Maunganui.
From Whitianga to Tauranga, take Highways 25 and 2.
Our tip: We made a quick stop in the lovely surf town of Whangamata — it’s right on your route anyway and has great beaches for surfing or just kicking back.
Drive time from Whitianga to Tauranga: 3.5 hours
Our Tauranga Itinerary
- Hike around and up Mount Maunganui
- Take a beach walk with views of the Bay of Plenty
- Day trip to the Hobbiton Movie Set
- See the geysers in Rotorua
- Soak in the thermal waters of Kerosene Creek
Our tip: You’ll spend two nights in Tauranga. We suggest spending your arrival day in Mount Maunganui and dedicating the second day entirely to the Hobbiton Movie Set. You can easily visit Rotorua and Kerosene Creek on your way to Tongariro — they’re right on the route.
Lies auch:
Our Hotel Recommendations for Tauranga
Tauranga is a fairly big city, and honestly the city center itself isn’t the most appealing place to stay. The Mount Maunganui neighborhood is a much better alternative.
Days 6–7: Tongariro and Lake Taupo
Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest national park — and it completely blew us away. It’s so unlike the rest of lush, green New Zealand: here you’ll find snow-capped mountains, desert, barren volcanic landscapes, and deep green sulfur lakes.
We’ve planned two nights here. That way, as mentioned earlier, you can visit Rotorua and Lake Taupo on your arrival day and spend the following day entirely in Tongariro National Park.
From Tauranga, take Highways 36, 5, and 1. The last stretch on Highway 1 is the Desert Road — and it’s already your first Tongariro highlight, with truly spectacular views.
Drive time Tauranga to Tongariro: 2.5 hours
Our Tongariro Itinerary
The absolute must-do in the national park is the Tongariro Crossing — the hike you simply can’t skip. It takes up to eight hours one way, and you’ll need to book a shuttle in advance for the return trip.
Read our tips for the Tongariro Crossing
Due to weather conditions, the Tongariro Crossing is only possible between November and April. The Tama Lakes are a great alternative at other times of year.
If a hike that long doesn’t sound like your thing, we recommend the track to Taranaki Falls — about two hours round trip and totally doable for most fitness levels.
Our Hotel Recommendations near the Tongariro Crossing
National Park Village is the best base for the Tongariro Crossing.
Days 8–9: Taranaki
You’ll spend the next two nights in Taranaki — one of the most fascinating regions in New Zealand.
Here you can surf and snowboard on the same day. How? Simple: Taranaki is on the coast, but it’s also home to the massive volcano Mount Egmont, which usually has a snow-capped peak. Scattered around Mount Egmont are charming little towns and the city of New Plymouth.
From Tongariro, take Highways 4, 43, and 3 to reach New Plymouth.
Drive time Tongariro to Taranaki: 4 hours
Our Taranaki Itinerary
- Hike to Dawson Falls (super easy)
- Enjoy the views of Mount Egmont from Nevin’s Lookout
- Drive the Surf Highway and stop at as many beaches as you can
- Walk part of the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway and explore the city
- Take a trip to the Three Sisters
Our Hotel Recommendations for Taranaki
We recommend staying in New Plymouth — it’s the only larger city on the Surf Highway with a solid selection of hotels and restaurants.
Day 10: Wellington
Wellington is New Zealand’s capital, but it doesn’t feel like a capital city at all. The vibe is far more laid-back and relaxed than you’d expect.
We’ve only planned one night in Wellington on this New Zealand road trip, because there are so many great highlights still ahead.
Try not to stay out too late, though — you’ll need to get up early the next morning to catch the ferry to the South Island.
From Taranaki, you can reach Wellington via Highways 3 and 1. The charming little town of Whanganui makes for a great stopover along the way.
Drive time Taranaki to Wellington: 4.5 hours
Our Wellington Itinerary
- Visit the national museum Te Papa Tongarewa
- Ride the Cable Car through Wellington
- Enjoy the panorama from Mount Victoria
- Head to Cuba Street for a beer in the evening
Read all our tips for Wellington:
Our Hotel Recommendations for Wellington
In Wellington, it’s best to stay as close to the city center as possible — that way you’re centrally located and can make the most of your time exploring.
From New Zealand’s North Island to the South Island
If you want to travel from the North Island to the South Island (or vice versa) with your rental car, you take the ferry from Wellington to Picton.
There are two operators, Interislander and Bluebridge. Both run multiple crossings daily in each direction. It’s worth checking both websites in advance to find the best price and a departure time that works for you.
During peak season, prices are around $185 for a car and $220 for a campervan. Each additional adult costs $75.
Important: Don’t leave it to the last minute! During peak season, book at least two weeks ahead — otherwise you might not get a spot. In the off-season, a week in advance is usually fine.
Even more important: Not all rental car companies allow you to take their vehicles between islands. Check this before you book your rental car.
Stops on the South Island
Days 11–12: Marlborough Sounds
On Day 11, you’ll first take the ferry from New Zealand’s North Island to the South Island. Since that takes up a good half day, it makes sense to spend two nights in the Marlborough Sounds.
The Marlborough Sounds are a maze of islands and waterways — it reminded us a little of Vancouver Island in Canada. A real paradise for boat trips and hiking.
Our Marlborough Sounds Itinerary
- Take a trip to Lochmara Lodge (you can also stay overnight here).
- Ride the mail boat through Queen Charlotte Sound (book the tour).
- Hike part of the Queen Charlotte Track (book the tour).
- Stroll along the waterfront in Picton.
Our tip: We did a kayak tour with Lea and Aaron from Sea Kayak Adventures — hands down one of our absolute highlights. We even spotted seals. You can also combine the kayaking with a guided hike.
Guided kayak and hiking tour through the Marlborough Sounds
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Our Hotel Recommendations for Picton
Picton is without a doubt the best place to stay when exploring the Marlborough Sounds.
Day 13: Kaikoura
Kaikoura isn’t exactly on the direct route of our New Zealand road trip — but from Picton, you can easily make a side trip there and spend a night.
This small coastal town has become quite famous because you can see so much wildlife up close: whales, dolphins, seals, albatrosses, and with a bit of luck, even penguins.
From Picton, just follow Highway 1 the whole way — it couldn’t be simpler.
Drive time Picton to Kaikoura: 2 hours
Our Kaikoura Itinerary
- Go on a whale and dolphin watching tour (get tickets)
- Watch the sea lions on the Kaikoura Peninsula
- Walk part of the Kaikoura Coast Track
- Watch a sunset at the beach
Lies auch:
Our Hotel Recommendations for Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a small town, but it has a really impressive selection of beautiful hotels — many of them right on the beach. You’ll be spoiled for choice.
Days 14–15: Abel Tasman National Park
From Kaikoura, you’ll head toward the West Coast and one of New Zealand’s most beautiful national parks — Abel Tasman. The gorgeous beaches and turquoise water genuinely reminded us of the South Pacific.
Abel Tasman National Park is a true paradise for outdoor activities of all kinds, from kayaking and hiking to canyoning.
You can reach the park from Kaikoura by heading back up Highway 1 toward Picton, then switching to Highways 6 and 60.
Drive time Kaikoura to Abel Tasman: 4 hours
Our Abel Tasman National Park Itinerary
- Relax on the beach at Sandy Bay
- Take a boat trip through the bays (book the tour)
- Check out Split Rock
- Visit Cleopatra’s Pool
- Go on a kayak tour
- Hike part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track
More on Abel Tasman right here:
Our Hotel Recommendations for Abel Tasman National Park
The best base for day trips into Abel Tasman National Park is Kaiteriteri. The town is small but beautiful, sitting right on the water.
Day 16: The Wild West Coast
Day 16 involves a longer drive — but don’t worry, it’s far from boring. New Zealand’s wild West Coast is one of the most scenic drives in the world, kind of like Highway 1 in California.
Take your time at the lookouts and stop at beautiful beaches along the way. If you’ve still got energy for more driving, plan a detour to Arthur’s Pass — a stunning mountain road through the New Zealand Alps. Fair warning though: it makes for an extremely long day behind the wheel.
Just follow Highway 6 south the whole way.
Kaiteriteri to Hokitika: 5 hours
Arthur’s Pass round trip: 2.5 hours
Our Tips for Stops on New Zealand’s West Coast
- Westport — a nice spot for breakfast and a short stroll
- Nine Mile Lookout — great vantage point and photo spot
- Pancake Rocks — wildly shaped sandstone formations
- Arthur’s Pass — a seriously impressive mountain road through the New Zealand Alps
More about New Zealand’s West Coast right here:
Our Hotel Recommendations for the West Coast
Ideally, you’d drive all the way to your next stop at Franz Josef Glacier on the same day — but that’s too far.
We recommend spending a night in the town of Hokitika. It’s right on the ocean and has a few good restaurants and hotels.
Day 17: Franz Josef Glacier
Today you’ll continue along the southern coast to one of the absolute highlights of your New Zealand road trip: Franz Josef Glacier. The ice field stretches up to ten kilometers long and reaches all the way down into the rainforest.
To get from Hokitika to Franz Josef Glacier, just keep following Highway 6.
Drive time Hokitika to Franz Josef: 1.5 hours
Our Franz Josef Glacier Itinerary
The absolute must-do is the Franz Josef Valley Walk. The hike starts from the parking lot (there’s only one) and is flat and easy. Unfortunately, there are always tourists who cross the barriers to get a better photo — this can be genuinely dangerous, so stay on the marked paths.
The Robert Track and Alex Knob Trail are two more challenging hikes that lead to great overlooks.
There are also helicopter flights over the glacier. Sure, it’s not cheap — but if there’s one landscape where a helicopter ride is truly worth every cent, Franz Josef Glacier is it.
Guided hike at Franz Josef Glacier
Awesome helicopter flight with snow landing at Franz Josef Glacier
To all our tips for the Franz Josef Glacier
Our Hotel Recommendations for Franz Josef Glacier
Just a few minutes’ drive from the glacier is the town of Franz Josef, which shares the same name. It’s very small but has a surprisingly good selection of hotels.
Day 18: Wanaka
Many locals describe Wanaka as a less touristy, more laid-back version of Queenstown. Both towns are great for outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies — we recommend seeing both and forming your own opinion.
Plus, you’ll already be a good bit closer to your next stop, Milford Sound.
From Franz Josef, just keep following Highway 6.
Drive time Franz Josef to Wanaka: 3 hours
Our Wanaka Itinerary
- Visit Puzzling World (get tickets)
- Take a walk along Lake Wanaka and swim, depending on the season
- Take a trip to the lavender farm and treat yourself to some lavender ice cream
- Have dinner at one of the restaurants right on the lake
Our Hotel Recommendations for Wanaka
If you’re into eco-lodges, you’ll especially love Wanaka. There are some really cool hotels here that blend rustic wooden cabins with modern interiors. We absolutely loved it.
Days 19–20: Milford Sound and Queenstown
From Wanaka, you’ll continue to Queenstown via the Cardrona Valley Road.
You’ll spend a total of two nights in Queenstown. On your first day, you’ll take a day trip to Milford Sound. On the second day, you’ll explore Queenstown itself.
Drive time from Wanaka to Queenstown: 1 hour
Day Trip to Milford Sound
Milford Sound is one of the absolute top highlights on any New Zealand road trip — a vast fjord landscape, similar to the Marlborough Sounds, that you explore by boat.
The only catch is that Milford Sound is quite a distance from civilization. Queenstown is definitely the best base.
We recommend driving from Wanaka to Queenstown as early as possible in the morning. From there, you can either join a guided tour — where a bus takes you to Milford Sound in a small group and you board a cool glass-roofed catamaran — or you buy just the boat ticket and drive yourself through the Sounds.
Day trip to Milford Sound from Queenstown
Ticket for a boat cruise through Milford Sound
Read our review of Milford Sound too
Our Tips for Queenstown
Queenstown is known throughout New Zealand as the outdoor city. It draws every adrenaline junkie around — bungee jumping was invented here, which really says it all.
Queenstown is definitely much more touristy than most other stops on your New Zealand road trip. But it’s absolutely worth a visit, especially for its incredible setting and excellent infrastructure.
Our tips for the classic Queenstown experience:
- Tandem skydive (get tickets)
- Whitewater rafting (book the tour)
- Ziplining with 4 lines (book the tour)
- Skiing or snowboarding in the Remarkables
If you’re reading that list thinking “No thanks” — don’t worry. There are plenty of perfectly normal things to do in Queenstown too. Here are our suggestions:
- Stroll along the waterfront in Queenstown Bay
- Ride the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak
- Explore the Queenstown Gardens
- Take a boat ride on Lake Wakatipu
Our Hotel Recommendations for Queenstown
Queenstown is a larger city with excellent tourist infrastructure — you’ll find a really wide selection of hotels here.
Day 21: Christchurch
On your last day, you’ve got a pretty long drive ahead — so it’s best to get up early and still leave yourself some time to look around Christchurch.
The next day, it’s time to say goodbye to New Zealand. You can usually return your rental car directly at Christchurch airport.
Some rental car companies are a few minutes’ drive away but offer a shuttle service to the international terminal. It’s worth checking with your provider in advance.
Our Christchurch Itinerary
- Ride the Christchurch Gondola (get tickets)
- Visit the International Antarctic Centre (get tickets)
- Stroll through the Botanical Garden
- Sample your way through the food stalls at the Riverside Market
Our Hotel Recommendations for Christchurch
Christchurch is the second-largest city in New Zealand, so there’s a great selection of cool hotels here. These are our top three:
Our Route for a 4-Week New Zealand Road Trip
You have time for a 4-week road trip in New Zealand? You absolutely won’t get bored — in fact, we think a New Zealand road trip covering both islands really only hits its stride at four weeks.
That’s why we’ve put together a second route as a bonus. It includes all the stops from the 3-week itinerary, plus two additional detours:
- 3 nights in Northland on the North Island: Ahipara, Bay of Islands, Mangawhai
- 4 nights in the far south of the South Island: Catlins, Dunedin, Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo
For your reference, here’s a map of the 4-week New Zealand road trip route. After that, we’ll describe the newly added excursions in detail.
New Zealand’s Northland: Ahipara, Bay of Islands, and Mangawhai
New Zealand’s Northland is its own region on the North Island, with beautiful beaches, small towns, and drives that are worth the trip all on their own.
You’ll make your Northland detour right after arriving in Auckland and spend three nights there. After that, you’ll continue to the Coromandel Peninsula.
Ahipara
Ahipara is a small coastal town famous for being right around the corner from 90 Mile Beach. The name is a bit misleading — the beach is actually almost 90 kilometers (about 55 miles) long. Whatever you call it, it just goes on forever. If you have a four-wheel drive, you’re even allowed to drive directly on the beach.
On your way from Auckland to Ahipara, stop at Waipu Forest, home to kauri trees found nowhere else in New Zealand.
And if you have enough energy for a longer excursion, you can drive all the way to Cape Reinga — New Zealand’s northernmost point.
Our hotel recommendation in Ahipara: Gems Seaside Lodge — boutique hotel right on the ocean, with stunning views.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is a huge bay on the east coast dotted with countless small islands — one of the best spots in New Zealand for diving and snorkeling.
A boat tour in the Bay of Islands is an absolute must. There’s a huge variety of options, from sunset catamaran cruises to dolphin-watching tours.
For accommodations, we recommend the town of Paihia. It has a good selection of hotels and plenty of restaurants, and it’s right on the water.
Our hotel recommendation in Paihia: Allegra House — you can take in the entire Bay of Islands right from your bed.
Our tour recommendation: Island-hopping catamaran tour through the Bay of Islands
Mangawhai
Mangawhai is a very small coastal town — but we recommend this stopover because the drive from Paihia to Coromandel in one shot is simply too long.
Along the way, you can check out some really cool attractions, like the Whangarei Falls or the Waipu Caves. In the Waipu Caves, you can see the glowing glowworms that most tourists make the trip to the Waitomo Caves for. They’re far less well-known, but also far less crowded.
In the evening, catch the sunset at Mangawhai Heads Beach.
Our hotel recommendation: Mangawhai Lodge — a lovely small B&B with ocean views.
The Southernmost Tip of New Zealand: Catlins, Dunedin, Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo
Your second detour on the 4-week New Zealand route takes you all the way to the southern tip of the South Island — the Catlins. You’ll spend two nights there, followed by one night in Dunedin, then drive via Lake Tekapo — your fourth overnight stop — to Christchurch.
Catlins
The Catlins are a small region at the very southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island — and it’s truly peaceful out here.
The standout of the Catlins is the lighthouse at Nugget Point. You can also spot a lot of wildlife here, such as seals at Cannibal Bay or yellow-eyed penguins and dolphins at Porpoise Bay.
There are three beautiful waterfalls in the area: McLeans, Purakaunui, and Matai Falls.
The hotel selection is fairly limited, so look for accommodation as early as possible.
Our hotel recommendation for the Catlins: Catlins Area Motel — a small hotel surrounded by greenery, with a garden.
Lies auch:
Dunedin
Dunedin is a mid-sized city on the east coast of the South Island. You can easily spend time wandering its lanes lined with beautiful Victorian buildings or checking out the street art in the city center.
Around Dunedin, you’ll also find some really lovely beaches where you might even encounter a penguin or two.
The absolute must-see in Dunedin is Larnach Castle — New Zealand’s only castle.
Our hotel recommendation in Dunedin: The Victoria Hotel — great location in the city center, modern studios.
More info on Dunedin in our detailed article:
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo sits right in the middle of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s the bluest lake in all of New Zealand, and lupins in every shade of pink and purple grow along its shores.
Lake Tekapo is a fantastic spot for stargazing and photographing the night sky. On a clear evening, just sit outside with a hot chocolate under the stars — sometimes you can even see the Milky Way.
You can also take a day trip from Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak.
Our hotel recommendation at Lake Tekapo: Galaxy Boutique Hotel — stunning views of the lake, very modern.
Practical Tips for Your New Zealand Road Trip
That was our route for your New Zealand road trip. Still have a few practical questions about trip planning? No problem — here’s a summary of the most important things to know.
When is the best time to go on a New Zealand road trip?
New Zealand’s seasons run opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. The best time for a New Zealand road trip is during the spring and fall months — October to November and March to May.
It’s already warm or still warm during those periods, and rain is relatively limited. You’re also in the shoulder season, which means fewer tourists at the top attractions — and noticeably cheaper hotels and flights.
How much does a 3-week New Zealand road trip cost?
New Zealand is a very expensive country to travel. To help you get a better sense of what to budget, here’s an overview of average expenses for a 3-week New Zealand road trip. Prices are based on spring and fall travel.
- Rental car with no deductible: €1,300
- Gas: €1,000
- Accommodations: €2,100 (about €100 per night)
- Flights: €1,600
- Food: €500
- Attractions: €500
That brings the total to around €7,000 for your New Zealand road trip.
That might sound like a lot at first — but if you’re traveling as a couple, you can split almost all of the costs and end up spending significantly less per person.
Traveling by campervan means paying a bit more for the vehicle and gas, but you’ll save considerably on accommodation. It’s a great option for anyone looking to explore New Zealand on a tighter budget.
How much driving is involved in a New Zealand road trip?
The distances between stops on our route are roughly between 1.5 and 4.5 hours of driving. New Zealand may look fairly small on a map, but in reality many places are quite far apart.
That said, driving in New Zealand has two clear advantages. The roads are super relaxed — sometimes only a handful of cars pass you over the course of hours. And the views are almost always so spectacular that the drive itself becomes a highlight of the trip.
How much time do you need for a New Zealand road trip?
You need at least 3 weeks for a New Zealand road trip — otherwise, the long journey to get there hardly seems worth it.
It’s definitely possible to see both islands in three weeks, as in our route above. But you’ll have very little time at each stop and will spend a large portion of your trip in the car.
Our honest recommendation: with 3 weeks in New Zealand, choose just one island. With 4 weeks, you can comfortably cover both the North and South Islands.
