Auckland drivers battling through traffic this long weekend are advised to plan their journey by using NZ Transport Agency's interactive holiday journeys map.
The holiday planner shows potential traffic from Friday to Monday.
It shows which areas are the most congested from 6am to 10pm, categorising the traffic from free-flowing, busy to heaviest.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says drivers leaving Auckland on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, and returning on Monday are likely to face heavy traffic volumes.
For motorists hoping to avoid the traffic, the holiday journeys map may be just what they are looking for.
"This tool is great because it can help people decide whether to take an alternative route or hit the road when traffic flows are lighter, either early in the morning or later in the day," said NZTA's Auckland Operations Manager, Rua Pani.
Traffic heading north from Auckland on Friday will be busiest between Puhoi and Wellsford from 2pm to 7pm.
It's also busy Saturday between 11am and 2pm.
Heading back to Auckland on Monday the busiest travel times are from about 10:30am through until 4pm.
Westbound traffic between Paeroa and Waihi will be heaviest on Monday between 10am and 5pm, while South of Tairua westbound traffic appears inescapable as it will be heaviest from 9am to 8pm.
According to NZTA, traffic has been busy northbound between Puhoi and Wellsford from 11am to 8pm on Friday, while a crash occurred on Shelly Beach road at 2:50pm.
For motorists heading south or to the Coromandel, the Southern Motorway (SH1) is busiest through Takanini on Saturday morning between 8am and 11am.
"Returning on Monday, the motorway is busiest from Midday through to 5:30pm," said a NZTA press release.
"If you can plan your travel outside of these times you’ll be giving yourself a much less stressful weekend and help ease congestion levels for everyone else," said Pani.
NIWA Weather has also advised Kiwis to slip, slop, slap, and wrap as the
UV Index will be high to extreme across most of New Zealand over the next several days.
