Here are a few top tips to ensure your New Zealand self-driving road trip goes off without a hitch:
To help you have the most enjoyable road trip possible, there are some simple driving rules and tips to keep in mind:
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.
Want to save some money on your car rental while showing off your travel photography skills? Then we have the competition for you!
Snap Happy is our monthly photo competition. Simply submit the best picture of your road trip, and the winner each month gets up to $500 off their car rental.
For some inspiration, check out some past Snap Happy entrants and what they got up to on their very own Kiwi road trip:
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 any opportunity around NZ.
My friend and I went on a road trip over both islands, and this image was during our drive from Rotorua to Coromandel. We absolutely loved the freedom we had with our car to stop and explore whenever we wanted, whether that was to admire the beautiful views at the beach, get some snacks (freshly made pies!!), or just explore the local towns. I loved driving in New Zealand and can’t wait to come back!!
Embarking on our three-week honeymoon journey from the Netherlands, we began in Auckland and eventually made our way to the breathtaking Queenstown. It was at Deer Park Heights where we captured this incredible photo, surrounded by stunning views that made our adventure unforgettable.
Our fifth stop on our road trip from Auckland to Queenstown. Such a great car and it made sightseeing so easy!
There are 3 toll roads in New Zealand, all on the North Island. They are:
In short, if you aren't travelling near Auckland or Tauranga, your journey is guaranteed to be toll-free.
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.
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.
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!
