New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: 2-4 Weeks (Updated 2023)

Posted: 5/8/2023 | May 8th, 2023

With its snow-capped mountains, ancient glaciers, rolling verdant hills, incredibly friendly locals, and abundant world-class wine, New Zealand is as wonderful as you’ve heard. In fact, take what you’ve heard and times it by ten. New Zealand will simply blow your mind when you visit.

People think because it’s a small country, you can do it all in two weeks. That’s not true. There’s a lot to do here. From the north island to the south island, you need a lot of time here to do it all. You can fill months with activities. New Zealand may be small but it punches above its weight with things to do.

But what if you don’t have months? What do you do then? What route do you take? What island should you start with? Where do you go?

Or what if you do? Then what? Where do you begin planning that kind of trip?

I get these questions in my inbox all the time. Having traveled all over the country multiple times, I know the complexities of trying to figure out how to get to those remote towns and out-of-the-way parks and glaciers.

While buses and trains can take you most places, the best way to see the country is by taking a road trip. With your own set of wheels, you’ll be able to get deep into the natural landscapes that make this country so famous. New Zealand is a road trip country. It’s the best way to explore.

Below are my suggested itineraries that can help you plan your New Zealand road trip for maximum efficiency. Whether you have two weeks, one month, or even longer, these will ensure that you see the highlights and get off the beaten path.

Note: Two weeks is the minimum recommended time for a New Zealand road trip. There’s so much to see and do here, yet you still don’t want to be rushed or spend all your time in the car. If you only have two weeks, focus on one island.

If you want to learn more about Maori culture, see the Waitomo glow worms, spend time in New Zealand’s main cities, and enjoy relaxing activities like lying on the beach and sitting in hot springs, road trip the North Island.

If you want to spend your time hiking glaciers, doing adventure activities, and soaking up the epic landscapes of New Zealand, head to the South Island for your road trip.

With one month, you can combine the following two-week itineraries to really be able to enjoy all that both islands have to offer. More than a month? There’s nothing you can’t do!

Step #1: Choose the Right Vehicle

Before you even…