The Easter Weekend Road toll period has begun and Aucklanders looking to get a head-start on their long weekend are finding it slow going.

The Southern Motorway heading south is backed up from Otara to the harbour bridge while northbound lanes are at a near-standstill back to Manurewa.

There's heavy traffic on State Highway One between Warkworth and Orewa.

Those heading out of Wellington are faring better with northbound traffic flowing freely at this stage.

Last Easter Weekend there were five fatal crashes and 95 involving injuries.

The road toll period ends at 6am Tuesday.