Emergency services were called to Yarragundry, about 15 kilometres west of Wagga, just before 12.30pm on Saturday to the crash site just east of the Churches Plain Road intersection on the highway.

Upon arrival, officers from Riverina Police District found the Holden driver trapped.

She was treated until the paramedics arrived on scene, but despite their efforts, she died at the scene. She is yet to be formally identified.

The Mitsubishi driver, a 41-year-old man, escaped the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames and destroyed.

He was taken to Wagga Base Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and also underwent mandatory testing.

A crime scene was established and will be examined by specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

The fatality came during a weekend when more motorists were on the roads visiting family and friends and celebrating the long weekend.

Police were also out in force as part of a state-wide operation to crack down on dangerous driving.

Riverina Police District Superintendent Bob Noble urged drivers to take safety seriously on the road.

"The tragedy at Yarragundry reinforces the incredibly high stakes in play when you take to our country roads, especially this time of the year," he said.

In other news

Superintendent Noble said there was an extraordinary amount of traffic on the road and police have witnessed some "quite poor driving" this weekend.

"Couple this with fatigue, driver distraction and inexperienced drivers, and disaster could literally be around any turn," he said.

Superintendent Noble said police would be redoubling their efforts for the balance of the long weekend to target speeding, drink and drug driving, distraction offences and fatigue to save lives and get everyone home safe.

"Slow down, put the phone in the glove box or turn it off, and stay home if that's an option," he said. "And never drink and drive."

NSW Police, three paramedic crews from NSW Ambulance Service, as well as the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and Wagga Rescue Squad and multiple tow trucks attended the incident on Saturday.

A rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene but later cancelled. The Sturt Highway was closed in both directions for several hours, with police operating checkpoints.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: