NZTA warns drivers should plan ahead at Easter to avoid congestion, delays and stress

NZTA has created maps to show the expected peak holiday traffic times this Easter weekend. Photo/ File

The New Zealand Transport Agency is urging motorists heading away for Easter to plan ahead to avoid delays on the roads.

The agency has created maps to show the expected peak holiday traffic times to help motorists decide the best time to travel to avoid queues.

The maps show the busiest times based on previous years' travel patterns.

State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range to Waikato, State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi and State Highway 2 between Tauranga and Katikati have been identified as traffic hot spots.

New Zealand Transport Agency senior journey manager Neil Walker said: "We know we'll see large numbers of people heading off to their usual holiday destinations and that makes queues and delays inevitable at the most popular times."

"If everyone plans their travel in advance, and thinks about how they can travel outside the busiest periods it will help reduce congestion, delays and stress and that will make it a safer and more enjoyable journey for everyone.

"The hot spot predictions have proved really popular in helping people make informed decisions about when to travel, but predicted peak times can change on the day because of incidents, changing weather and even driver behaviour. So keep up to date with real time travel information."

Heading away this long weekend? Plan ahead and avoid delays. https://t.co/jvZsPK2tBi
Check out this video: https://t.co/iMv0qXoODv

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Waikato/BoP (@WakaKotahiWaiBP) March 26, 2018

WeatherWatch NZ analyst Philip Duncan said Easter Weekend is shaping up pretty positively for most regions, with mostly light winds and warm days forecast.

On Good Friday, a large high over central New Zealand will keep the weather dry everywhere with mostly light winds.

On Saturday, most regions will be dry but some rain is possible briefly in Southland and Otago and a few light showers may also hug Coromandel Peninsula to the east and Bay of Plenty.

Winds are forecast to be light in the North Island with a westerly flow over the South Island.

On Easter Sunday a bit of cloud and a few light showers are expected in the western side of both islands, mostly the West Coast and the southwest corner of the North Island. However, it should be mostly dry, with light winds.

On Easter Monday a few showers may affect the North Island's western side but most other places will be dry with fairly light winds.

Holiday hotspots

Bay of Plenty:

State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range to Waikato; State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi and State Highway 2 between Tauranga and Katikati. Heavy traffic through Katikati is expected as drivers head to holiday spots further north.

Coromandel: State Highway 25 at Tairua and Kopu Bridge.

Waikato: State Highway 1 Taupiri (north of Hamilton) and State Highway 1 Karapiro (south of Cambridge).

For more information and to plan your journey visit-http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/home?redir=true