Mountain road and pass status

In the 2022–2026 record, the Roads Department let 4x4s over the Abano Pass from some date between 25 May and 20 June and shut it for winter between 4 and 27 October: roughly four to five months a year, and only for high-clearance 4x4s. A spell of early snow can shut it for some days ahead of the winter closure, so check the official list before you leave Pshaveli.

Yes, the road is kept open through the year, yet the Gudauri to Kobi section across the Jvari Pass closes whenever avalanches threaten or a blizzard blows in. Over the five winters from 2021/22 that added up to 10 to 17 days of full closure a season, mostly from December to April, and trailers were banned far more often. Allow a buffer day if you fly out soon after.

For Tusheti and Shatili, yes: when those roads open, the notices admit nothing without drive on at least two axles, and the Truso valley track needs one as well. An ordinary car will do over the Jvari, Goderdzi and Gombori passes, up to Bakhmaro and from Mestia to Ushguli, whenever they are open. On Zagari, this year's notices bar just trailers and big buses, yet never say that cars are welcome now.

Not with Localrent, the Georgian rental marketplace we checked: its terms rule out Tusheti, Shatili, Juta, the Truso valley and the Goderdzi Pass, and it allows the Ushguli to Lentekhi road only with its own authorization in summer. We have not seen other companies' terms. Check your contract, or book a car with a local driver for those legs.

On some roads, yes. From 1 December to 1 March, police require winter tyres on mountain sections listed in a government decree: a car tyre must carry the snowflake mark, keep at least 3 mm of tread and be under 10 years old by its printed date. In snow they can also demand chains. The rule published in 2024 set a 100 GEL fine and 5 penalty points. Which roads the decree lists is not confirmed.

On the restriction list of the Roads Department of Georgia at georoad.gov.ge, which the department repeats on its Facebook page. The Georgian version is more complete than the English one. You can also call its hotline on +995 32 2 31 30 76, and in an emergency dial 112.