Tbilisi to Batumi by car: road, timing and stops

Tbilisi to Batumi by car means the main east–west highway over the Rikoti pass: a paved road with tunnels that runs through Gori, Surami and Kutaisi. Kutaisi is the natural main stop, and the pass is where you need spare time.

Tbilisi to Batumi by car: the main road

The highway heads west through Gori and Surami to the Rikoti pass. After Kutaisi the road descends toward the coast. Roadworks on the pass come and go, so expect narrowed lanes and temporary markings: follow the signs and overtake only where it is allowed. Check your navigation app before you leave, as it shows road closures.

An easy plan for the day is to leave in the morning and reach the coast by evening.

The other road: Borjomi and Goderdzi

The second option goes further south through Borjomi, Akhaltsikhe and the Goderdzi pass. It is more scenic but longer, with steep bends, and some stretches are still unpaved. In a rental car that is a problem, as the insurance note below explains. So choose the highway over Rikoti, and check the road condition before you consider Goderdzi.

When to leave: season and weather

In summer more cars head to the sea, especially on Fridays and before holidays, so leave in the morning. In autumn rain is more frequent on the coast and fog can sit on the pass: slow down, keep your distance and use dipped headlights. In winter the pass can bring snow and ice, so time your departure to be over it before dark.

In spring there can be rockfalls and local repairs on mountain sections, so allow extra time. Look up the forecast for the pass the day before, since the weather there changes your travel time more than distance does.

Stops on the way

• Mtskheta: a first short stop not far from Tbilisi. Leave the car by the Aragvi embankment, walk through the old town and look into Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
• Gori: have lunch in town before the climb to the pass. Uplistsikhe, a cave complex, is nearby, but the road to it is narrow in places, so go in daytime.
• Surami: stalls along the road sell pastries and churchkhela, a handy snack for the next stretch. Stop only in the lay-bys, not next to tunnels or bridges.
• Kutaisi: the longest break of the trip, at the midpoint. Leave the car by the Rioni embankment and walk to Bagrati Cathedral and the old town, and have lunch there.
• Ureki or Chakvi: a short stop by the sea to stretch your legs before Batumi. Ureki is known for its black magnetic sand. Do not drive onto the beach, and watch for the signs at the entrances.

What to keep in mind at the wheel

• Use dipped headlights in tunnels and do not stop, even for a minute: there is nowhere to pull over.
• Do not overtake blind on mountain bends, and use engine braking on long descents, not only the brake pedal.
• Fill up before the pass, not on the descent, where safe places to stop are few. Take water, a phone charger and an offline map: signal on the pass can drop.
• DRACARS insurance is full kasko, but tires and the underbody are not covered, including on dirt roads. The renter pays for the repair, so do not leave the asphalt without need and check the wheels at every stop.
• After an accident, do not move the car, call 112 and tell DRACARS.

Renting a car in Tbilisi

One-way rental is available, and Tbilisi to Batumi is usually free of charge: the exact terms are named at booking. You can pick up a car in Tbilisi with delivery to the airport or a hotel for 50 ₾. Mileage is unlimited.

In short

To begin, message DRACARS on WhatsApp or Telegram: requests are confirmed in 15–20 minutes between 9:00 and 00:00.