Long weekend traffic begins 

Source: ONE NewsTraffic

Holiday makers are already starting to clog up the roads.

Traffic heading north of State Highway One is already heavy with a 15 kilometres crawl trail.

New Zealand Transport Agency warns that it's very slow north of Auckland, as its taking an hour to go from Warkworth to Puhoi. Adding that the gridlock starts at around the toll booths and runs north to around Warkworth.

They are reminding motorists to use State Highway 16 to Wellsford to help ease congestion.

Travellers are being urged to stock up on patience before setting off.

Traffic is also extremely heavy just north of Wellington, with holiday makings crawling along the Kapiti Coast.

At times the gridlock is not moving at all between Paraparaumu and Waikanae.

Police say they have closed the passing lanes along that portion of State Highway 1 for safety and traffic flow reasons.

For the latest on our roads go to TVNZ Travel Watch