Most of Georgia is paved, and most visitors never need a four-wheel drive. Still, the most famous drives in the country are not. This post lists the roads that need a 4x4 in Georgia, what each one is like, and which of our cars we hand over for it. It also lists the roads where a 4x4 is a nice extra but not a must, so you do not pay for power you will not use. The cars themselves are on our 4x4 and SUV rental page; this post is about the roads.
Eight roads that need a 4x4 in Georgia
| Road | Region | Surface | Season | Our pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abano pass to Tusheti | Kakheti | 70 km narrow gravel, up to 2,850 m | June to early October | Land Cruiser 200 or 100 |
| Mestia to Ushguli | Svaneti | 45 km gravel and potholes | Late spring to autumn | Pajero, Prado, 4Runner |
| Zagar pass, Ushguli to Lentekhi | Svaneti | Rough gravel over the pass | Dry summer only | Pajero or Land Cruiser |
| Truso valley | Kazbegi | Gravel, river crossings in spring | Summer and autumn | Duster, Pajero |
| Juta village road | Kazbegi | Steep gravel at the end | Summer and autumn | Duster, Forester |
| Datvisjvari pass to Shatili | Khevsureti | Long gravel mountain road | Summer only | Pajero, Prado |
| Goderdzi pass (summer crossing) | Adjara | Gravel at the top | Summer; ski resort in winter | Pajero, RAV4 |
| Mtirala park access | Adjara | Steep gravel for the last kilometres | All year, wet | Duster, RAV4 |
Tusheti: the hardest of the roads that need a 4x4 in Georgia
The Abano pass is in a class of its own. It climbs to about 2,850 m on a single narrow track with no barriers and no fuel. It opens only from June to early October. We hand over the Land Cruiser 200 at $135 a day or the Land Cruiser 100 at $80, and we talk you through the drive first. Many customers choose our driver for this one. The Tusheti by 4x4 guide explains the road in detail.
Svaneti: Ushguli and the Zagar pass
The road from Zugdidi to Mestia is paved. After Mestia, the 45 km to Ushguli is gravel, mud after rain and the best drive in Georgia. A careful driver manages it in a Duster in dry summer weather. However, the Mitsubishi Pajero at $80 does it without worry. The Zagar pass loop back to Lentekhi needs a proper 4x4 every time. Read the Mestia and Ushguli 4x4 guide before you go.
Kazbegi side valleys: Truso and Juta
The main road to Stepantsminda is paved. The side valleys are not. Truso follows a river into a canyon with mineral springs and abandoned towers. In spring the track crosses water, so ground clearance matters. Juta sits at the end of a steep gravel climb under the Chaukhi peaks. A crossover such as the Renault Duster or the Subaru Forester at $65 is enough in summer. Our 4x4 rental for Gudauri and Kazbegi page has the full picture for the region.
Khevsureti and Adjara
Shatili, the fortress village near the Chechen border, lies beyond the Datvisjvari pass. The road is long gravel and opens only in summer. Plan a full day each way and carry fuel. In Adjara, the Goderdzi pass links Batumi with Akhaltsikhe in summer, with gravel at the top. Closer to the coast, the last kilometres to Mtirala national park are steep and often wet.
Not sure your road needs a 4x4? Send us the villages on your route, and we tell you honestly what car it takes. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you: the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest advice on driving times.
Roads where a 4x4 is nice but not needed
- Tbilisi to Kazbegi in summer. Paved all the way to Gergeti church. A Prius does it.
- Kakheti and the wine roads. Paved, including the Gombori pass to Telavi.
- Borjomi and Vardzia. Paved roads through the gorge. An SUV helps only in Bakuriani in winter.
- Tbilisi to Batumi. Motorway and highway, the easiest long drive in the country.
- Davit Gareja. The last stretch is rough, so a crossover is better, but not a big 4x4.
In winter the picture changes. Gudauri and the Jvari pass can require a 4x4 or chains. Our Tbilisi Airport to Gudauri driving guide covers the rules.
Crossover or real 4x4?
A crossover has all-wheel drive and good clearance, but no low range. That covers Truso, Juta, Mtirala and the Ushguli road in dry weather. A body-on-frame 4x4 adds low range, stronger suspension and more clearance. You need that for Tusheti, the Zagar pass and Shatili. So the rule of thumb for the roads that need a 4x4 in Georgia is simple: crossover for gravel, real 4x4 for passes.
| Class | Cars | From |
|---|---|---|
| Crossover | Duster, Forester, Outlander, RAV4 | $65 a day |
| Real 4x4 | Pajero, X-Terra, 4Runner, Wrangler | $75 a day |
| Expedition | Land Cruiser Prado, Land Cruiser 200 | $110 a day |
Every car comes with insurance and unlimited mileage. Note that the insurance does not cover interior, tyres and some exterior parts, so take the gravel slowly. The whole range is on our SUV and 4x4 rental page.
Questions about roads that need a 4x4 in Georgia
Can I take a sedan to Kazbegi?
In summer, yes. The road is paved to Stepantsminda and up to Gergeti. In winter, take a 4x4 or at least chains.
Is the Tusheti road open now?
Usually from June to early October, depending on snow. Message us before you book, because the dates change every year.
Can I drive these roads myself?
Yes, if you are a confident driver. For Tusheti, many guests prefer our car with driver instead.