Police and NZTA are warning of a busy period on our roads, as COVID-19 prompts Kiwis to get out and see their own backyard.
Motorways across the country were free-flowing on Friday, but are expected to get much busier.
"We're expecting really high volumes on our roads starting pretty much from today," National Manager of Road Policing Gini Welsh says.
The Interislander's ferries that run between the North and South Islands will be packed with cars too.
Executive General Manager Interislander Walter Rushbrook said thousands have booked a spot.
"Over the next month there's over 35,000 cars booked on the ferries, and there are still spots available so we expect those numbers to go up even higher."
Police say since 2015, an average of 11 people have died on our roads and 400 have been injured in the Christmas and New Year period each year.
Police warn having more cars on the road this summer increases the risk of crashes, along with drink driving.
"We have deployed additional officers... to help keep kiwis safe and make sure that they arrive alive at their destination," Welsh says.
NZTA has identified 33 traffic hotspots across the country where traffic is predicted to be the heaviest.
NZTA Senior Journey Manager Neil Walker says travellers should expect delays and encourages people to "just be patient out there."
