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24/7 SupportOne Way Car Hire: Auckland to Wellington
Free comparison tool · 1000s of rental cars · Major brands · No booking fees
Compare Car Rental Auckland to Wellington
Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Dollar, Go Rentals and 8 smaller companies rent cars one way from Auckland to Wellington. To book, enter Auckland as the pick-up and Wellington as the drop-off. The results show only cars you can leave in Wellington.
There are no booking fees. Most cars come with free cancellation. All come with unlimited kilometres. Prices on this page are in New Zealand dollars (NZ$).
Auckland to Wellington One Way Car Hire Prices
A small car for 4 days costs about NZ$1,430 in total. An SUV costs about NZ$1,710 and a people mover about NZ$1,920.
Longer hires cost only a little more. A small car costs about NZ$1,180 for 2 days and NZ$1,480 for 7 days. A 1-day hire costs about the same as 2 days.
Christmas week costs about 30% more. The January summer holidays cost about the same as other dates.
| Hire length | Small car | SUV | People mover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days | NZ$750 to NZ$1,180 | NZ$620 to NZ$1,430 | NZ$1,090 to NZ$1,490 |
| 4 days | NZ$840 to NZ$1,430 | NZ$930 to NZ$1,710 | NZ$1,400 to NZ$1,920 |
| 7 days | NZ$1,010 to NZ$1,480 | NZ$1,100 to NZ$1,960 | NZ$1,920 to NZ$2,510 |
| Pick-up | Small car, 4 days | SUV, 4 days |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-November | NZ$1,480 | NZ$1,770 |
| Late November | NZ$1,390 | NZ$1,200 |
| Early December | NZ$1,210 | NZ$940 |
| Christmas week | NZ$1,870 | NZ$2,210 |
| Mid-January, summer holidays | NZ$1,320 | NZ$1,760 |
| Early February | NZ$1,670 | NZ$2,110 |
| Early March | NZ$1,240 | NZ$1,930 |
Car Hire Auckland to Wellington Availability
How early do I need to book my rental?
Book early for the best choice. From November to Christmas, 6 to 8 companies have cars for this route. From January, 9 to 12 do. Cars on popular routes can be booked out during the holidays and seasonal events. Prices for dates months ahead usually come down as the date nears. With free cancellation you can book early and check the price again closer to the date.
Distance from Auckland to Wellington
State Highway 1 via Taupō
Via Hamilton, Taupō, the Desert Road, Taihape
650 km · about 8 h · 1–2 days
The direct way, with Lake Taupō near the halfway point.
Via Rotorua
Via Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupō, the Desert Road
about 680 km · about 8.5 h · 2 days
Rotorua's geothermal parks on day 1.
Auckland to Wellington Drive: Attractions on the Road
With 2 days, you have time for the geothermal parks around Rotorua and Taupō. The second day crosses Tongariro National Park on the Desert Road.
Day 1
310 km · about 4 hAuckland to Taupō via Rotorua
South on the Waikato Expressway past Hamilton, then State Highway 5 to Rotorua's geothermal parks. Wai-O-Tapu is on the road to Taupō. Stop at Huka Falls a few minutes before town.
Day 2
370 km · about 5 hTaupō to Wellington
Along the lake to Tūrangi, then the Desert Road past Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. After Waiouru and Taihape the road comes down to the coast. The last stretch runs along the Kāpiti Coast and through Transmission Gully into Wellington.
Hobbiton at Matamata and the Waitomo glowworm caves are both detours off day 1, each needing a few hours.
Picking Up in Auckland, Dropping Off in Wellington
- Europcar, Hertz, Snap Rentals and a few smaller companies also rent from central Auckland. Most charge about the same there as at the airport. Search "Auckland – All areas" as the pick-up to see them.
- Wellington drop-offs include the airport and city depots. Some companies also take cars back at the ferry terminal.
- There are no toll roads on State Highway 1 between Auckland and Wellington.
- In winter the Desert Road between Rangipo and Waiouru can close for snow and ice. Check road conditions with the NZ Transport Agency before you leave Taupō.
- Going on to the South Island, the ferry from Wellington to Picton takes about 3.5 hours. Whether the car can cross depends on the company (see the FAQ below). Picton to Christchurch has its own page.
Auckland Airport
Auckland to Wellington One Way Car Hire FAQ
Can I hire a car in Auckland and drop it off in Wellington?
Yes. 14 companies offer it: Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Dollar, Go Rentals, Snap Rentals, Bargain Rental Cars, Ezi, A Rentals, Ace, Apex, Big Value and Omega. 6 to 12 of them have cars on any one date. Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar have no cars for this route before January. Set Wellington as the drop-off to see who has cars for your dates.
How long does it take to drive from Auckland to Wellington?
About 8 hours of driving for 650 km on State Highway 1. It is easier over 2 days, with a night in Taupō or Rotorua.
Is it cheaper to hire a car from Wellington to Auckland?
Yes. A typical car costs about 25% less from Wellington. The cheapest cars cost about half as much. 18 companies rent one way from Wellington, compared with 14 from Auckland.
Can I take my rental car on the ferry from Wellington to Picton?
It depends on the company. Many have you leave the car in Wellington and collect another in Picton. Some let the car cross. Either way you book and pay for the ferry yourself. A car on board has its own fare on top of yours.
Popular One-Way Routes
Other one-way trips that start in Auckland:
Crossing to the South Island: compare Picton to Christchurch.
Prices updated October 2026
Collecting in Auckland? Our Auckland car hire page lists the city depots, and Auckland Airport (AKL) has its own comparison. Ending in Wellington? See car hire in Wellington, or return the car at Wellington Airport (WLG).
