Travelling out of Auckland this afternoon? Prepare for significant delays even if you clock off early from work.

That's the message from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, which is warning holidaymakers of traffic jams heading north and south out of the city.

Based on previous years, Manukau to Bombay will be badly backed up between 2pm-5pm and slower than normal until 6.30pm.

And those hoping to skip the traffic by waiting until Saturday to leave the city should also beware - southbound traffic is also predicted to be slow going between 8.30am-4.30pm tomorrow.

Heading north, delays are expected today on SH1 between Puhoi and Wellsford between 1pm-6pm, with the heaviest traffic from 2pm-5pm.

Traffic predictions for all major cities are available through NZTA's holiday journey planning tool.

Roading authorities will also be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's Queen's Birthday Weekend, when three people died on the roads.

Around 140 people are also injured in crashes on New Zealand roads every Queen's Birthday Weekend, NZTA figures show.

The holiday period begins at 4pm today and ends at 6pm on Tuesday.

Transport minister Michael Wood said across millions of kilometres being travelled this weekend, drivers would make errors or bear the brunt of someone else's mistakes.

Wood said one person was killed every day on New Zealand roads and seven were seriously injured.

"We need to stop accepting that deaths on our roads are inevitable," he said.

Police minister Poto Williams said police would be out in force over the weekend, focusing on speed, impaired drivers and distracted drivers.

"Drivers should take their time, be courteous and follow the road rules, they're there to keep us all safe.

"Anyone who witnesses dangerous behaviour should report it to Police, and any driver can expect to be stopped if they are not driving safely."