Locals are expected to hit the roads in droves this long weekend, with popular holiday routes, many of which are still damaged from cyclones, anticipated to be jam-packed.

The Coromandel, which was particularly hard hit, is expected to experience heavy northbound traffic on Thursday between midday and 8 pm, and on Friday from 9 am until 5:30 pm.

The state highway in this region remains closed, and NZTA Waka Kotahi is urging motorists to plan their journeys ahead of time, particularly for travel in areas affected by recent severe weather.

Aucklanders travelling during the long weekend will experience the brunt of the traffic, with the worst time to travel north of the city along State Highway 1 between Puhoi and Wellsford predicted to be between 4 pm and 6 pm on Thursday and 12 pm and 2 pm on Friday for northbound traffic.

Southbound traffic will be at its heaviest on State Highway 1 between Manukau and Bombay between 4 pm and 6 pm on Thursday and 11 am and 1 pm on Friday.

On Monday, holidaymakers can expect long queues between 2 pm and 6 pm as they head back home.

Traffic is also expected to be "busy" for a few hours on either side of the heaviest traffic periods.

For those heading towards the Coromandel from Auckland, the worst times to travel will be between 12 pm and 9 pm on Thursday and 7 am and 3:30 pm on Friday along State Highway 2 between Pokeno and Maramarua.

On Monday, the worst times for westbound traffic will be between 10 am and 6:30 pm.

State Highway 25 near Tairua is expected to experience heavy northbound traffic between 3:30 pm and 6 pm on Thursday and between 2 pm and 5 pm on Friday.

Southbound traffic on this popular route will begin to pick up on Sunday morning, with the worst time to travel expected to be on Monday between 9 am and 2 pm.

State Highway 29 near the Kaimai Range is also expected to see heavy northbound traffic on Friday between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm, with southbound traffic expected to be busy between 10 am and 3:30 pm on Monday.

State Highway 1 from the end of the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway and between Tīrau and Karāpiro will be busy southbound late on Thursday afternoon and most of Friday until mid-afternoon.

Sunday afternoon will see a busy patch for northbound traffic from 3 pm until 5:30 pm and on Monday from 11 am throughout the afternoon.

The Automobile Association (AA) is advising drivers to be extra vigilant as the road network is facing more disruptions than usual and strongly encouraging planning ahead.

A spokesperson for the AA noted that there are still many highways that are damaged or being worked on, and drivers need to be extra alert for lower temporary speed limits, signs advising of hazards, and stop-go work sites.

The AA is urging people to be prepared for delays or longer trips and to refrain from taking out their frustrations on the workers repairing the roads.

Kiwis planning to travel over the long weekend should expect heavy traffic on popular routes, many of which are still damaged from recent cyclones.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead, share driving responsibilities to avoid fatigue and be patient during periods of heavy traffic and delays.

The AA is also urging drivers to be extra alert for road hazards and disruptions and to avoid taking out their frustrations on road workers.