How long does it take to drive from christchurch to picton?

[whatchain]

im leaving chch on the 21th and was wondering how long does the trip normally take in a car? i want to know when i should leave christchurch so i can get there in time for my ferry.

[Kiwiflyboy]

Usually 4-5 hours depending on traffic and stops?

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-43.544041,172.526981

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[whatchain]

i probably wont be stopping much, but just want to know how many hours in advance should i set off from chch so by the time i get to picton, i will have like 30-40 mins to get lunch to find the terminal etc..

[Blazing Bullet]

On google maps it says almost 6 hours... Looks like a really good drive. Way more exciting than driving to dunedin. :-\

[96WRX]

3hours 28mins lol ;D

[Swindog]

Yip 3 and a half hours.

[ClubSub Mum]

 Swindog said:

Yip 3 and a half hours.

Mmmm you guys don't do coffee stops/toilet stops/smoke stops - oh and of course shopping stops lol

[Swindog]

Negative. Just a pie at the Kaikoura BP.

[Koom]

Depends on what time of day you're driving up.

If I'm aiming for Picton at lunchtime, I'll give it 4.5hrs to get there as traffic is often heavy (half the traffic is heading to the same ferry as you are ) but if its late in the evening then the road is usually empty ;D

Have also come across 20min holdups for road works but that was back when they were upgrading alot of the road through North Canterbury.

Also lunch is easy to find in Blenheim or Picton.

[Swindog]

KFC in blenheim is on the main road.

Picton has a mean fish and chip shop across from the supermarket next to the caltex.

[subieboy]

 Swindog said:

Picton has a mean fish and chip shop across from the supermarket next to the caltex.

True dat

I remember driving this road often when I was TOD between Waiberia & CHCH, Palmy & CHCH etc.. And when finally posted to up nooth I drove it every 3 months visiting the olds down in Invers...

Thank fully they smartened up and moved to Whangarei...

[chappell943]

Usually 4 hours with a 20min (give or take) stop at kaikoura caves tea rooms.

[slystiguy]

last time I did it in my sti loaded with gear it took me bang on 4.5 hours, traffic was very heavy an thats fine along the straights but its the hills that will kill you, also got about 600kms to the tank which was pretty nice

[96WRX]

buy two packets of smokes before hand and take a piss before i leave etc 3 and a half hours later hello picton

[whatchain]

 Koom']

Depends on what time of day you're driving up.

If I'm aiming for Picton at lunchtime, I'll give it 4.5hrs to get there as traffic is often heavy (half the traffic is heading to the same ferry as you are ) but if its late in the evening then the road is usually empty ;D

Have also come across 20min holdups for road works but that was back when they were upgrading alot of the road through North Canterbury.

Also lunch is easy to find in Blenheim or Picton.

hmm. i think if i gave it 5 hours that could be plenty. (rather early then late). if i do get stuck in traffic or whateva. at lease i got some turbos to help me get there on time. ...

[quote name='slystiguy said:

last time I did it in my sti loaded with gear it took me bang on 4.5 hours, traffic was very heavy an thats fine along the straights but its the hills that will kill you, also got about 600kms to the tank which was pretty nice

Lol i always end up breaking out the heavy foot... 600kms is prety good for a turbo car.

[whatchain]

oh by the way. does any1 know if there are any speed cameras on the road along the coast from chch to picton? or any likely place where police usually sit and wait? (just want to be on the safe side)

[Kiwiflyboy]

Usually there is one along the road just before kaikoura in the 80km part of the road. Hides the van in some bushes. also north of Clarence bridge along some of the straights seen a cop car up a drive facing down the long road.

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[MercuryFree]

Don't speed IN Kaikoura. My girlfriend managed to lose her licence 2 minutes after we switched seats. :-[

Also if you arrive very early you may be able to switch sailings...we got there like 2 hours early for our ferry and rang them up and they put us on the one that was leaving in 25 mins or w/e

[Blazing Bullet]

I also heard theres a sweet go kart track there too...

j/k dont go there. You'll get shot and fed to the puppy seals near by.

[whatchain]

alyep. thanks a lot people for the infomation.

[Swindog]

Theres always a cop sits north of kaikoura about 3 straights north. It leads to an uphill left hand hill. He sits just at the base of the hill with a rear facing radar...gets heaps of people so basically just dont speed.

[Koom]

 Swindog said:

Theres always a cop sits north of kaikoura about 3 straights north. It leads to an uphill left hand hill. He sits just at the base of the hill with a rear facing radar...gets heaps of people so basically just dont speed.