We're coming back to Auckland on Sunday afternoon or evening. What time would have the least traffic - earlier in the afternoon or evening? (I'm presuming late afternoon would be worst)
Having lived here for over 40 years, it is a fair question and a sad indictment of what we face here in Auckland now. I would say just come up when it suits you and don't try to fit your travels around a particular time. (If it was a holiday weekend, it would be different) The traffic should be flowing fairly well on a regular Sunday.
upnorth,
Dec 11, 8:14am
I find listening to the 1ZB traffic reports on AM 1080 can be a heads up to avoidable delays.
mrfxit,
Dec 11, 8:20am
Yea mid to late arvo bad spots Early evening normally ok any day but bearing in mind daylight saving could be more in to the mid to late evening/ Suspect something like 2pm-ish ok but clogged by 4pm
socram,
Dec 11, 8:25am
I'm not sure they have them later in the day and Sunday you'd have to put up with the sports programme.
I often head back from Pukekohe or Hampton Downs mid to late afternoon on a Sunday, but it really seems to be pot luck. Sometimes it takes about 45 minutes and at other times, double that. If only takes one or two wombling clatty's to cause massive build ups as generally, when we get to a smooth running section of three lane, there is no obvious reason for previous hold ups. If drivers kept left unless overtaking, most of the delays would evaporate.
However, if you leave the motorway (sic) at Takanini, and use the alternative, it is probably well worth it, especially as you'd be heading out west anyway. If the traffic is running fairly well but could be busy ahead, leave at Manukau.
daryl14,
Dec 11, 1:26pm
The best time would be around 03.00 (a.m).
peja,
Dec 11, 1:38pm
I am quite often returning from Tauranga mid to late afternoon, and it is luck of the draw. Most blockages are caused by failure to keep left as socram says. I have on occassion experienced good traffic flows even in peak traffic times in the absence of people failing to stay in the left lane, it is quite phenomenal how much traffic can actually flow and how fast when everybody is keeping left as far as possible.
dlmckay,
Dec 11, 1:46pm
As others have stated, just a couple of muppets can clog the motorway, so it really is pot luck. This website is helpful in determining where the bad patches are http://m.aucklandmotorways.co.nz/map.html
peja,
Dec 11, 1:49pm
Or as socram describes such muppets - "clattys" This terminology is more specific - search this message board for an understanding of its origins :-)
elect70,
Dec 11, 1:55pm
All the Jaffas are pouring back to the big smoke after day out on the coromandel Coast . late afternoon sundays . See them on SH2 near gridlocked .
floscey,
Dec 11, 2:11pm
Evening around 7 .I seem to always get stuck around 4pm coming back from Tga . Quite often get off mway and go the back way all the way to howick avoiding the main roads . Often had to get off at the maramarua off ramp and come in through Hunua for a quiet cruise home .
craigsmith,
Dec 11, 2:35pm
Early or late. Avoid afternoon.
Disagree with that. Every time I do the same trip I get route guidance based on live traffic from Google Maps, and I have yet to see Google estimate the southern mway via Mt Albert as being faster, regardless of time. No matter how bad the SW via city is, the traffic off the mway thru Mt Albert and via Unitech will be slower. Now once they finish that tunnel and link the motorways up, it will be a godsend.
trogedon,
Dec 11, 3:08pm
Thanks guys. I think we'll have dinner at Cook Beach or along the way to come back early evening.
socram,
Dec 11, 3:38pm
I don't have that technology luxury in the car! But yes, you may well be right. The only times I have done it has been when there has been a major delay announced on the radio.
lookoutas,
Dec 11, 4:23pm
jeez - I couldn't believe the snarl ups over the weekend. Daughter said it didn't matter what time, it's always the same.
"Iiii reememmmmber when it was only 2 lanes aaaall the waaay"
purplegoat,
Dec 11, 5:21pm
Unfortunately i think " clattys" are part of the rabbit family , cause they sure as hell seem to breeding well in my part of world. Any clown doing less than the speed limit in the right hand lane when the left lane is clear now gets the high beams from me
nightboss,
Dec 11, 5:57pm
We travel back to Auckland often on Sunday afternoon/evening.
The worst times are between 5 & 6 then the last hour before sunset.
seadubya,
Dec 11, 5:58pm
A near continuous stream at times, Monday mornings are normally good again though. Until the next weekend.
socram,
Dec 11, 6:04pm
Sadly, it only needs a couple of clatty's to cause the delays and the traffic build ups. If EVERYONE travelled at 103kph, all the way up the two lane motorway, there would be no delays whatever. When the motorway broadens to three lanes, the traffic joining at Takanini (not withstanding the stupid, slow, narrow on-ramp, there), theoretically, could be absorbed, still at 103kph. How often though, do we see just a couple of cars in the left lane, with 95% in the centre and right lanes?
No wonder we get the build ups. The problem is that the clatty's don't ring the radio stations to let them know when they are going to run their mobile chicanes, so that they can issue the warnings.
dlmckay,
Dec 11, 9:37pm
Them moving over as a result of your full beam would require them to be looking in their rear view mirror. Which they seem to be failing at.
clark20,
Dec 11, 9:53pm
Yep, I was thinking the same
monzaman,
Dec 11, 10:00pm
I call them dordlers and flash my h/lights at them once or twice a week then if no response when able I pass them on their left.
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