Tbilisi to Kutaisi by car is about 230 km and takes three to three and a half hours in one of our Tbilisi rental cars, now that the Rikoti tunnels have replaced the old mountain pass. This guide covers the route, the stops worth 20 minutes, the fuel and toll situation, and the one-way option if you fly out of Kutaisi Airport.
Updated 28 October 2026. Prices and rules checked against our booking system on that date.
Tbilisi to Kutaisi by car: the route
| Section | Km | Time | Road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi to Gori | 85 | 1 h | Dual carriageway. The Stalin Museum and Uplistsikhe cave town are 15 minutes off the road. |
| Gori to Khashuri | 45 | 35 min | Highway, then a short town section. |
| Khashuri to Zestafoni (Rikoti) | 60 | 50 min | New tunnels and viaducts; the old pass is only for the views. |
| Zestafoni to Kutaisi | 40 | 35 min | Flat road into the city. Fuel stations every few km. |
So the drive is simple: one road, well signed, and no mountain pass to worry about in winter. The highway is free of tolls, and fuel costs about 20 litres each way in a sedan. See our post on fuel prices, tolls and parking in Georgia for the current numbers.
Stops worth making
- Uplistsikhe, 10 km past Gori: a rock-cut town above the Mtkvari river, one hour on foot.
- Surami, before the Rikoti tunnels: the roadside stalls sell nazuki, a sweet spiced bread. Buy it hot.
- Shrosha, just after the tunnels: a village of clay pots along the road, the classic photo stop.
- Zestafoni: skip it, unless you need fuel. Kutaisi is 35 minutes away.
Arriving in Kutaisi
The city centre is compact and parking is easy compared with Tbilisi. Gelati monastery and the Motsameta church are 15 minutes out, Prometheus cave 25 minutes, Okatse and Martvili canyons about an hour. Our Kutaisi by car post has a full day plan. Because of that, many guests keep the car for the whole trip instead of driving back the same day.
One way: Tbilisi to Kutaisi Airport
If you fly out of Kutaisi, drop the car at Kutaisi Airport instead of driving back. The one-way drop fee is $120, and the airport is 25 minutes west of the city, so leave the centre an hour before you want to be at check-in. From Kutaisi, we also have local cars with no delivery fee if you only need a car on that side of the country.
Which car for Tbilisi to Kutaisi by car?
- Toyota Prius, $35 a day: the cheapest way to do the highway, about 4.5 litres per 100 km.
- Ford Fusion, $55 a day: quiet and comfortable at highway speed.
- Toyota Highlander, $70 a day: a family with luggage and canyon plans.
- Renault Duster, $65 a day: if Racha or Svaneti follow after Kutaisi.
The autumn discount runs for pickups until 15 December 2026. It gives 5% off from 5 days and 10% off from 10 days on all cars except the Toyota Prius (flat $35). The Mazda CX-3 and Jeep Renegade get 15% off from 5 days and 25% off from 10 days. The booking form applies it automatically.
Continuing to Svaneti or the coast? Tell us the full loop and we will suggest the car and the drop-off point that saves you a day of driving. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you. We suggest the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest driving times.
Questions about Tbilisi to Kutaisi by car
How long is Tbilisi to Kutaisi by car?
About 230 km and three to three and a half hours without long stops. Add an hour for Uplistsikhe.
Is the road safe in winter?
Yes. The Rikoti tunnels removed the only high section. Rain and fog slow the drive, snow rarely closes it.
Can I drop the car in Kutaisi and keep nothing else to pay?
The one-way fee is $120 at Kutaisi Airport or $120 in the city centre, paid once. Insurance and mileage are included as always.
That is Tbilisi to Kutaisi by car: one road, three hours, and a tunnel instead of a pass.