As the long weekend comes to a close, are you stuck in traffic dreading the long trip home or are you covered in sunscreen, trying to keep cool?

Not only is there traffic on the roads due to everyone making their trip home to be ready for work tomorrow, but people are flocking to the beach and watering spots to keep cool in this heatwave.

The high for Tauranga today was set to be 31 degrees and at 2.55pm the temperature was 29.6 degrees.

Some places around the country have exceeded predictions by reaching 37 degrees at 1.30pm.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says its 37 degrees in parts of Napier/Hastings in the Hawke's Bay.

'In the South Island it's up to 36 degrees in the Marlborough Sounds.”

The temperatures are expected to rise as the hottest part of the day is still yet to come.

Live temperatures can be found here:

If you or have family members heading back to Auckland this afternoon, the NZTA have estimated times it will take to get back to the big smoke.

On signs located all around the city it says, to Auckland via State Highway 29 and one is two hours and 47 minutes.

'Via SH29 and SH27 is two hours and 38 minutes and via SH2 it is two hours and 25 minutes.”

Travel times posted at the Bombay's say it will take two hours and 17 minutes via SH1 and SH29 to get to Tauranga.

It will take you two hours and one minute via SH2, SH27 and SH29. The quickest route will take you one hour and 57 minutes travelling along SH2.

To keep up to date with travel times, road closures and roading incidents, head to the NZTA website.