The Northern Toll Road, North of Auckland

This is probably not an important point in your journey across the planet but this was something that was experienced.  It reminds one of many of the 4 lane highways throughout much the US and Canada.   It's only 7.5 km long and is pretty straight so speed limits are much higher then the free route.

The Toll road cuts off a more scenic route that runs along the coast.    The road, highway 17 runs through towns like Silverdale, Orewa and Waiwera.

I think the free route is better unless you were in a rush.  We wanted to get up to Pahia so we pretty much took the most direct route possible.   We stopped at the rest stop before the highway to catch up on some work and find our hotel for that night.  It was convenient but expensive for goods in the rest stop.  The toll road itself was only $2 but I can see they are supplementing income with leasing retail spots.  There are many ways to pay for your passage on the road.  Check out more about it at www.tollroad.govt.nz.

Apparently the road was supposed to be free but to enable completion early they needed to borrow some cash.  So they borrowed against the future earnings of the toll.  So that toll road is in place until the debt to finish it early is paid off.   

The tolls are collected electronically.  You can either register you license plate number at one of the kiosks at the rest stop, online within 3 days or by phone.  We choose the round trip version at the kiosk.    The cost for running the toll road is pretty low so hopefully we will have a free road soon.