Georgia road trip itinerary: 7 days by car

Planning a georgia road trip itinerary for one week? This route shows where to go each day, what roads to expect, and smart ways to finish in Batumi or loop back to Tbilisi.

7-day georgia road trip itinerary: days 1–3

• Day 1 — Tbilisi. Walk the Old Town, ride up to Narikala, and save driving for tomorrow to avoid city traffic. Pick cafés near Sololaki or Fabrika for the evening.
• Day 2 — Military Highway to the High Caucasus. Stop at Jvari, Mtskheta, Ananuri and the Jinvali views; pass Gudauri and the Cross Pass; overnight in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi).
• Day 3 — Around Kazbegi, then head west. In the morning visit Gergeti Trinity or Dariali Gorge if weather allows, then drive toward Kutaisi via the main east–west corridor; stay near Kutaisi.
• Optional detour — On the westbound leg, add a short stop at Gori and Uplistsikhe if you want a history break.
• Road note — Use S3 for the Georgian Military Highway and E60 for the east–west corridor; both are paved, with slow trucks on the long grades.

Days 4–7: coast, canyons and return

• Day 4 — Imereti’s canyons and caves. See Prometheus Cave and the canyons of Okatse or Martvili; short gravel spurs to trailheads are common, so go slow.
• Day 5 — To Batumi. Arrive by midday for the Boulevard, the Alphabet Tower area, and the Botanical Garden at Green Cape; sunset on the seafront.
• Day 6 — Adjara day trip. Choose Mtirala National Park for easy forest trails or head into the highlands for viewpoints; weather shifts fast in the hills.
• Day 7 — Finish in Batumi or return to Tbilisi. If you drive back, plan plenty of daylight for the pass between west and east Georgia; roadworks appear in sections.
• Loop alternative — If the coast looks rainy, swing back via Borjomi and Likani for hot‑spring towns and forest walks.

Mountain roads and car choice

You may drive into the mountains, except on premium‑class cars and low‑slung sedans. Gravel roads are allowed on this route, but insurance never covers tyres or the underbody on any surface, so repairs are at your expense—keep speeds down and avoid deep ruts. From November, winter tyres are fitted, which helps on cold mornings and shaded passes. For mixed asphalt with occasional rough spurs, consider DRACARS SUVs to gain clearance and comfort without changing the plan: /en/fleet/suv.

Season, timing and what to pack

• Long daylight: summer and early autumn suit the Military Highway and canyon walks; spring is greener but wetter; in winter some high viewpoints may be closed after snowfall.
• Fog can drop fast around the Cross Pass and in Adjara’s hills; keep a time buffer on mountain days.
• Start early on days 2 and 7 to avoid traffic near the pass and around big cities.
• Pack: offline maps; a light rain shell and warm layer; snacks and water.
• Also pack: a power bank and phone mount; shoes with good grip for wet canyon paths.

Logistics: one-way returns and daily flow

You can take a car in one major city and return it in another; Tbilisi → Batumi is usually free. Batumi → Tbilisi may carry a commission; the exact amount is given at booking. Airport handovers run 24/7. City delivery to a hotel or address: Batumi free, Kutaisi 30 ₾, Tbilisi 50 ₾. Airport fees: Batumi free, Tbilisi 50 ₾, Kutaisi 50 ₾; fuel up in towns before mountain stretches and keep an eye on the gauge after Gudauri and on Adjara backroads.

Optional add‑ons and swaps

• Rainy day plan: pick Prometheus Cave or Sataplia instead of open canyons.
• Swap Day 6: drive the coast to Sarpi and Gonio if highlands are clouded in.
• Extra hiking: add Juta above Stepantsminda (the last stretch is rough; not for premium or low sedans).
• Breaking the return: overnight near Gori or Borjomi when looping back to Tbilisi.
• Six‑day version: drop Day 6 and end in Batumi or Kutaisi.

In short

Seven days covers Tbilisi, the Military Highway to Kazbegi, Imereti’s caves and canyons, and a Batumi finish with a simple one‑way drop. Choose a car with clearance and drive gently on any gravel. Book an SUV for this route.