Driving across Eastern Europe

[justadude]

What's it like driving from Western Europe, say Italy, to Moscow, via parts of former Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, etc? What are the border crossings like for an American? Can it even be done next month with the pandemic winding down?

[msmoby]

What's it like driving from Western Europe, say Italy, to Moscow, via parts of former Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, etc? What are the border crossings like for an American? Can it even be done next month with the pandemic winding down?

I wouldn't even think of driving to Moscow via Belarus or Ukraine pre / post the pandemic.

I HAVE entered in a non RU vehicle via Latvia ( exiting via Finland ) and my beloved has crossed from Georgia to Russia in a non RU registered Mini van.

As long as you have all proof of your owning the vehicle, your driving license,( get an International Dring Permit )  docs appertaining to the cars VIN, engine capacity, etc., ( you can either buy insurance on crossing the border or source it before you enter RU ) it's not a biggie.

Belarus reiure to you pay a deposit for a tracking devices and you are time limited to cross , may not deviate off the transit route and then you must return the rented tracker and pay for the km used.

So, you would need to take a northern loop via Poland and Lithuania, Latvia or southern .. via Turkey and Georgia ( as the latter crossing in mountainous - forget crossing in winter - unless it is a 4WD fitted with winter tyres)

Winter tyres are a legal requirement from early Nov in most eastern EU nations.

When in Russia, you are unlikely to be stopped by the Police in routine checks

[Guile]

Why man? Russia is now the 3rd highest country in the world for virus cases with over 400k now. Just stay in the states.

[Manny]

When in Russia, you are unlikely to be stopped by the Police in routine checks

I think Moby meant likely. Expect it at least once a day if travelling.

Some borders have changed and roads improved, but here is the topic I wrote documenting a drive from the UK I did in 2007: Manny's trip report to Estonia. (via Poland, Lithuania & Latvia).

I ended up doing the trip so often, we imported some vehicles from the US and took them out there, here is one: American truck On FSU tour.

You may also find this post informative. That also has links to other driving TRs.

[msmoby]

I think Moby meant likely. Expect it at least once a day if travelling.

Moby meant UNLIKELY and has worn the t-shirt a LOT more recently than you ..Nov / Dec 2017  .. As soon as the Police see they're stopping a foreign car, they'll wave you on ... 

It's VERY clear you've not driven a UK registered car in Russia and recently as I ..   





We drove from the UK to SW Russia, with the car taking a ride on a train from Moscow to Sochi  Photo taken at the Formula1 circuit

[AvHdB]

Because you are an automotive guy, but not exactly an answer to your question, but you might want to seen if the HERO group rallies are interesting.

They run a recreation of the Peking to Paris rally and a number of other events in Eastern Europe. As well as an event in California I suspect now cancelled or pushed back to 2021

The Temple to Temple rally sounds very interesting and I believe includes Croatia.

www.endurorally.com

[Markje]

I made 2 roadtrips through Poland/Ukraine to Crimea.

See my signature line & happy reading.

I wouldn't recommend driving through eastern Europe unless you like adventure.

[Manny]

I think Moby meant likely. Expect it at least once a day if travelling.

Moby meant UNLIKELY and has worn the t-shirt a LOT more recently than you ..Nov / Dec 2017  .. As soon as the Police see they're stopping a foreign car, they'll wave you on ... 

Your original quote didn't mention foreign registered.

When in Russia, you are unlikely to be stopped by the Police in routine checks

My experience in Russia is driving Russian registered cars. And in those you do get stopped at check points on the edges of towns. What you said is incorrect. What you meant and later clarified may be true.

[msmoby]

Your original quote didn't mention foreign registered.

Given Justadude asked about driving across Western Europe TO Moscow, I made the assumption it would be a temporary import ..  sorry if I wasn't clearer

When in Russia, you are unlikely to be stopped by the Police in routine checks

My experience in Russia is driving Russian registered cars. And in those you do get stopped at check points on the edges of towns. What you said is incorrect. What you meant and later clarified may be true.

I have NEVER been stopped when entering or leaving Sochi, or any RU town in either a UK or RU registered car since 2006 .. That USED to be a common thing and even now, it isn't .. ( in Krasnodar Region ) There are cameras everywhere and the Police know who they want to stop long before you arrive !

I referred to random stop and checks and have been waved down several times when traversing RU .. but on sighting that non RU plate ( tag?) , one just gets waved on .

[Steveboy]

I think you will find the roads in much of Eastern Europe better than the Uk at least!

Christ I wouldn't want to even think about driving across the UK unless I had a tank!!