New Plymouth to Timaru: Road Trip Guide & Distance

396.1 miles 637.4 km · straight line
587.5 miles actual route 945.5 km · driving distance
15h 22min estimated drive time
NZD 166 - NZD 204 estimated fuel cost
~1h 18min flight time
201° SSW bearing direction

How far is New Plymouth from Timaru?

The distance from New Plymouth to Timaru is 396.1 miles (637.4 km) as the crow flies. Timaru is located SSW of New Plymouth. By car, the driving distance is approximately 587.5 miles, taking about 15h 22min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 18min. Both are located in New Zealand — New Plymouth in Taranaki Region and Timaru in Canterbury.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for New Plymouth and Timaru. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from New Plymouth to Timaru

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 15h 22min NZD 166 - NZD 204 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 18min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~18h 26min $47–$88* Budget
Train ~14h 36min $71–$206* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between New Plymouth & Timaru

Quick Facts

New Plymouth
39.07°S, 174.08°E
Pacific/Auckland
64m elevation
Timaru
44.40°S, 171.25°E
Pacific/Auckland
14m elevation
Explore more routes from Timaru

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 132 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 33 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 62.9 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM