Russia

Driving in Russia

You may drive a car in Russia for a limited period if you hold an international driving licence. For further information on driving restrictions, check with an international driving organisation.

Road conditions can often be poor, especially outside the major cities.

You should comply with all local speed limits. The standard speed limit for built-up areas is 60 kph (37 mph), outside built-up areas 90 kph (55 mph) and 100 kph (62 mph) on motorways (Brest-Moscow). Visiting motorists who have held a driving licence for less than two years must not exceed 70 kph (43 mph). It is common practice for traffic police to stop motorists for spot checks. You should be aware that there is a zero tolerance policy towards drinking and driving.

If travelling by taxi, use officially marked taxis and do not share them with strangers. We advise against flagging down unofficial taxis

DRIVING THROUGH RUSSIA - ROAD FROM VYBORG TO VLADIVOSTOK TOTAL KM 10266

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ARE COURTESY OF www.marine-expedition.co.za

Vyborg to St. Petersburg - Km 228

The road has warped under the weight of the trucks, of which there are Marine Resource Expedition heads through Russia 2 many. You could average 100 km/hr and locals even faster, but there are many speed traps, and if caught you are tourist bait.

Petersburg to Novgorod - Km 109

Road ok, also warped and loads of trucks in convoy, which made passing tricky. Slow going as it is in close proximity to Moscow and St. Petersburg. A large portion of the road is double lane, which is good.

Novgorod to Moscow - Km 534

Road in poor condition due to trucks. It is slow going and traffic can start slowing down 30 to 40 km outside Moscow city center. Definitely have GPS maps, you will be stuffed without them as the road signs are all in Russian.

Moscow to Nizhniy Novgorod - Km 428

Road fine, traffic marginally better than driving into Moscow. Parts of the road are slow as the tar has holes, but generally count on an average speed of between 80 to 100 km.

Nizhniy Novgorod to Kazan - Km 397

Road the same condition as previously mentioned. There is a big police stop just 20 km from Kazan, so be prepared for the lads in the uniforms to jump into the car have a look around. Generally they speak no English, but are pleasant. If you are legal and have nothing to hide, don’t worry about the police.

Kazan to Perm - Km 719

Road in poor condition. It is asphalt, but pot holed and warped from the heavy trucks. It feels like you are driving in sand tracks. You can still average 100 km/hr if your car is not to heavy, but watch the shocks; they may be tired at the end of the road. Loads of trucks and police stops.

Perm to Sverdlousk - Km 360

Road 150 km from Sverdlousk in excellent condition, you can manage 120 km/hr here. It is new and there are no potholes. The first half of the journey from Perm is slow on a single lane potholed road. Had no issues with cops, but: Speed cameras are placed on most entries to large cities, they are different to Europe and Africa. The cameras are mounted on beams, which extend over the road, i.e. they look down on you. The cameras film you driving buy and note your speed. Then 1 km in front of you there will be a police check house, where they are watching the footage of you drive buy. If caught speeding you will be stopped and will have to pay, otherwise you go through undisturbed.

Sverdlousk to Omsk - Km 952

Road was good, few pot holes. Least truck traffic thus far, not too many cop stops, we were not stopped once, which is excellent.

Omsk to Novosibrisk - Km 657

Road was great with little to no problems on the way. We got caught for speeding but were let go without a fine.

Novosibrisk to Kransnoyarsk - Km 809

Road pretty good most of the way, all asphalt with some pot holes and warped road. Many trucks and careless drivers.

Kransnoyarsk to Lake Baikal past Irkutsk - Km1178

Road shocking, ok for first 300 km then into this construction gravel nightmare. It is a long distance with very slow roads and cops in each town... mission.

Lake Baikal to Ulan Ude - Km495

Road in good condition, by far the most scenic part of the trip, really beautiful mountains.

Ulan Ude to Chita - Km 682

Road in fair condition, we just went slow, you can average a faster speed than what we did on this stretch.

Chita to Vladivostok in 4 stages - (Chita Truck stop 1 Km 631, Truck stop 1 to Truck stop 2 Km 673, Truck stop 2 to Truck stop 3 Km 903, Truck stop 3 to Vladivostok Km 650)

Road had some asphalt, but some average to poor gravel as well. The road is undergoing construction, which adds to frustration of going slowly. Road is big and the only one so you won't get lost... Unlike everyone else's comments, it is not that bad. Overnight spot to second truck stop, where we slept.

Road generally ok, with some bad gravel patches in between the asphalt laying. Gravel stretches 100km, then asphalt for 80 km then gravel again etc. Overnight spot 2 to overnight spot 3 past Khabarovsk

Road again, generally ok, with some slow patches. Lost a wheel here, on some rather poor gravel, but was on asphalt soon after. Slow through towns. Overnight spot at truck stop 3 to Vladivostok Road asphalt the whole way except a few tiny bridge constructions. The road is slow through towns, as traffic gets worse.