Planning a road trip and wondering if you’ll hit a toll along the way? New Zealand only has three toll roads, all in the North Island, and all fully electronic: no booths, no cash lanes, no stopping. Here’s exactly where they are, what they cost, and how to pay.
If you’re planning travel around a long weekend, it is also worth checking the NZ public holidays and anniversary days guide before you lock in dates.
Where are New Zealand’s toll roads?
Northern Gateway Toll Road (SH1) – 7.5km, running between Silverdale/Orewa and Puhoi, about 35km north of Auckland. This is the one many families hit heading up to the Bay of Islands or Northland for summer holidays.
Tauranga Eastern Link (SH2) – 15km, between the Domain Road interchange near Papamoa and the Paengaroa roundabout, where SH2 meets SH33 towards Whakatane and Rotorua.
Takitimu Drive (SH29) – 5km, bypassing Tauranga city centre and connecting SH29 to SH2, heading towards the Port of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
That’s it: three roads, all North Island, nothing in the South Island.
How much do they cost?
| Toll road | Light vehicle price | Heavy vehicle price |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Gateway (SH1) | $2.60 | $5.20 |
| Tauranga Eastern Link (SH2) | $2.30 | $5.60 |
| Takitimu Drive (SH29) | $1.90 | $5.00 |
These are current NZTA-listed tolls for a one-way trip. Light vehicles include cars, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. Heavy vehicles are over 3.5 tonnes. For the latest official rates, check NZTA’s toll road information page.
Worth knowing: NZTA has consulted on a shorter-section toll near the Papamoa East Interchange on the Tauranga Eastern Link, with proposed 2025-dollar rates of $1.10 for light vehicles and $2.80 for heavy vehicles. That would only apply to drivers using that shorter stretch rather than the full 15km.
It’s a small cost for the time saved, especially on the Northern Gateway if you’re trying to avoid the old, winding Johnstone’s Hill route.
Free alternative routes
Every toll road has a free alternative, usually a bit slower and sometimes prettier.
Northern Gateway: Exit at Silverdale onto SH17, drive through Orewa and Waiwera, then rejoin SH1. It’s the old road, more scenic, and adds a bit of time.
Tauranga Eastern Link: Take the Te Puke Highway from the Domain Road interchange, signposted as the free route via Te Puke, which rejoins SH2 at the SH33 junction.
Takitimu Drive: Since this one bypasses central Tauranga, the free alternative is simply driving through the city on local streets instead. Slower in peak traffic, but toll-free.
Do rental cars have to pay tolls?
Yes. As the renter, you’re responsible for any tolls incurred during your hire, and how it’s handled depends on the company. Some rental firms leave you to pay directly via NZTA yourself; others offer a toll pass or charge the toll plus an admin fee afterwards. Worth checking at pickup so you’re not caught out by a rental-company fee later.
How to pay
You’ve got five working days after your trip to pay, either:
- Online at the NZTA tolling website
- Through a prepaid account, useful for regular drivers
- With Pay & Go, linked to your number plate for occasional trips
- In person at some authorised retailers, using cash or EFTPOS
Pay within five working days and that’s the end of it. If you leave it longer, NZTA can send a Toll Payment Notice with an admin fee added. You then have 28 days from the notice date to pay before risking an infringement fee on top. So it’s worth dealing with it early, ideally before or straight after your trip.
If you’re driving these roads often, say a regular Auckland-to-Northland commute, a prepaid account is worth setting up because it saves you doing this manually every single trip.
How to check if you owe a toll
Not sure whether you’ve already been charged, or whether that trip up north left you with an unpaid toll? Here’s the quickest way to check:
- Go to NZTA’s toll transaction centre
- Enter the number plate of the vehicle you were driving
- Any outstanding tolls linked to that plate will show up, ready to pay on the spot
If nothing shows up but you’re sure you used a toll road, it may mean a Toll Payment Notice has already been issued. In that case, you’ll need the notice number from the letter to pay it.
A fourth toll road is coming eventually
Penlink, officially O Mahurangi – Penlink, will connect SH1 to the Whangaparaoa Peninsula north of Auckland and has been confirmed as a future toll road. NZTA now says the project is forecast to be completed at the end of 2029, so if you’ve seen older references to 2026, those are out of date.
FAQ
Do I need cash for New Zealand’s toll roads?
No. All three are fully electronic. Cameras read your plate, and you pay online or through an account afterwards.
Are there toll roads in the South Island?
No, all of New Zealand’s current toll roads are in the North Island.
What happens if I don’t pay?
If you do not pay within the payment window, NZTA may issue a Toll Payment Notice with an admin fee. If that notice is not paid by its due date, an infringement fee can be added.
How do I check if I owe a toll?
Enter your number plate at NZTA’s toll transaction centre. Any unpaid tolls linked to that plate should show up there.
Are motorcycles exempt from tolls in New Zealand?
No. Motorcycles are charged as light vehicles on New Zealand’s current toll roads.
Do I have to pay tolls in a rental car?
Yes, the renter is responsible. Some rental companies offer toll passes or charge tolls back to your card with an admin fee; others expect you to pay per trip yourself.
Can I avoid the toll roads entirely?
Yes. Each toll road has a free alternative route nearby, usually only a few extra minutes.
Is there an app for paying NZ tolls?
NZTA does not have a dedicated toll payment app, but its tolling website is mobile-friendly and set up for on-the-go payment.
That’s genuinely all there is to it: three short stretches of road, a few dollars each, and five working days to sort the payment.