Traffic is already building in Northland and around Thames as holidaymakers start the slow crawl home.
Thames resident Glennis Switalla said queues were already building on the Kopu- Hikuai Rd near Thames from 11.30am.
Switalla took a photo when she was sitting in the traffic about 5km from the intersection towards Thames (above) . "It was stopping and starting."
Meanwhile, the northbound lanes on State Highway 1 near Brynderwyn Hill, south of Whangarei, has reopened after a car caught fire earlier today.
The New Zealand Transport Auckland (NZTA) is also urging motorists to avoid the hotspots if they are venturing out over Auckland Anniversary Day.
