Motorists travelling through the Central North Island are being advised to use an alternative route as State Highway 1 is closed today.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the Desert Road will be closed between Rangipo and Waiouru between 7am and 3pm for the recovery of a truck.

"The full closures is required so that a salvage team can winch the truck and trailer up a bank, after it ran off the road on Friday, July 7," says a spokesperson for the roading agency. 

"Once the truck is back on the road it will be towed out."

People are advised to detour is round the mountain. From Rangipo use SH46, SH47, SH4 and SH49 back to Waiouru, or in reverse if travelling north.