Every year a handful of occasions get Auckland bursting at the borders, and one is upon us -- Easter.
Before you check out of Auckland here are tips to make your weekend roadie a success.
Good Friday, bad traffic
Should you decide to leave Auckland on Friday afternoon, be prepared for the journey ahead.
We can't control the roads, but we can control our level of readiness for the trip.
Make sure the car is in top shape, check the fluids and the spare tyre, clean out all the rubbish (no doubt it will be replaced with new rubbish ), and keep treats on hand to keep the little ones happy and avoid unnecessary stops.
It's a good idea to have someone with a 3G connection and an app such as Google Maps to monitor routes and congestion.
Prepare the music
The easiest way to control the mood in the car, while sitting in traffic, is with the stereo.
Road trip duties are clearly defined. The driver drives, front passenger manages the sounds and supports the driver, and backseat passengers supply the front row with tools needed to get their job done.
Sitting stationary is less irritating when your favourite jam is belting out of your 6x9s. Bored of the NZ top 40? Open yourself to local radio on iHeartRadio.
Leave the night before
When you evaluate the time over result equation, why wouldn't you? You'd remove most of the stress from the first day of your now even longer weekend, and you'll end up with a full Friday in your favourite corner of our country.
If you can't leave early, have an added day off after long weekend and avoid the Easter Monday traffic woes as everyone else returns to the city.
Plan two routes
In the coastal paradise that is New Zealand often the best route is straight through the middle. But there is a train of thought that says you haven't travelled our nation until you've ventured off the main highways. Easter weekend could be the time you stumble upon a new beach, cafe , or picnic spot.
Take care out there on the road and look after one another. Part of a great holiday is returning home safe.
However, if you do get caught in gridlock, remember you're not stuck in traffic, you are the traffic.