Aucklanders- directions help please

HI there,

Just wanted some driving advice please. We are heading to Auckland on Thurs morn and want to go to the Zoo from the Airport. I have used the Get Directions tool on google maps and it has given me two possible routes. Just wondered if anyone could tell me what the best route would be round 9am in the morning taking into account we are not used to the large volumes of traffic down here that you have up there!!!

Route one takes us
Up the South Western motorway, up Mt Albert road to Carrington road then onto Great North Road then Motions road to the zoo.

Route 2 takes us
Queenstown rd, Pah Road, Manukau Rd, Auckland Hamilton Motorway, then Northwestern Motorway, Auckland Kumeu Motorway then off there to Great North Road, then Motions Road.

Which would be the better way to go? If they are much of a muchness which would be the best way scenery wise?

Hope this hasn't been too confusing with all my directions written down.

Also if you could order up some fine weather for Thurs that would be much appreciated!! Thanks so much

I'd definitely pick route one to be faster, though you're arriving pretty much bang on rush hour, so DO be prepared for a fairly diabolical trip either way! I'd allow about an hour to cover that distance, just to be safe.

The new South-Western motorway is normally less busy than the Southern, though Mt Albert / Carrington Rd can get bit congested in the mornings.

The longer you can wait to travel after 9am the better.

HTH!

Route 1 will be fine even at that time of the day. The motorway section might be a bit busy, but you will be fine once you hit Mt Albert Rd. Its really easy to go that way, and although its not that scenic, neither is the other way!

 

Thanks so much! Will take route 1. We may be after 9am by the time we arrive get our bags and get the rental etc. We are in no great hurry and we may let the kids have a bit more time to stretch their legs at the airport before we put them in the car. We are then heading to Tauranga and staying at the Mount for Easter.
Any good advice about getting out of Auck from the Zoo appreciated too!

Getting really excited about the Zoo as we have been watching the series on TV. Charlotte will be beside herself when we get there!

If you're driving to Tauranga from Auckland straight from the zoo, you'll want to get on the Northwestern Motorway opposite MOTAT. You'll want to head towards the city and take the southern motorway (hamilton) turn off and stay on that! that will take you south out of auckland and then you're away laughing :D

The first one is more direct. You will hit the school traffic but it should be too early for 'leaving Auckland for Easter' traffic at 9am.

Urgh - are you gonna be leaving Auckland to drive to Tauranga on Thurs afternoon? I suspect that could be an absolute nightmare with the mass exodus from the city for Easter....

There is probably no avoiding it, as I imagine you'll want to spend a good few hours at the zoo. But maybe try and leave as early as you can. And just be aware that you could be stuck in horrendous gridlock traffic - so maybe be prepared with snacks etc for the kids - and definitely make sure everyone has been to the bathroom before you leave the zoo!!

Monday is a public holiday and school holidays, FX the returning holiday traffic won't be too hectic.

IMO it doesn't matter what time you get away the traffic will be heavy in parts.

Does the rental come with a GPS/Route system?