Route at a Glance
Distance290 km one way
Drive Time~4 hours non-stop
With Stops5–7 hours each way
Road ConditionGood but winding. Alpine sections.
FuelFill up in Te Anau — no fuel at Milford
Must DoMirror Lakes, The Chasm, Homer Tunnel
There is no fuel at Milford Sound. Fill your tank in Te Anau. The round trip from Te Anau to Milford and back is about 240 km with limited services. In winter, the road can close due to avalanche risk — check the NZTA website before you leave. Chains may be required.
The Route
Queenstown to Te Anau (2 hours)
The first section follows SH6 south and then SH94 west through rolling farmland and lake country. It's a straightforward drive with good roads. Stop at Lake Wakatipu lookouts on the way out of Queenstown, then settle in for the cruise through to Te Anau.
No mobile coverage on the Milford Road. There is virtually no cell signal for the entire 120 km between Te Anau and Milford Sound. Download your Google Maps route offline before you leave Te Anau. If you don't have a local SIM or eSIM yet, sort it before this drive — see our eSIM guide.
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