Toll rates are rising
Last year the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management sought to raise the fare, but the proposal was sent for review. After the government draft resolution was finalized, the new maximum rates for cars are expected to be:
- On reconstructed roads such as the M-4 Don, 5 rubles per kilometer.
- On newly built routes like the M-11 Neva, M-12, and the Central Ring Road, 8 rubles per kilometer.
The bureau notes that the rise in the maximum rate reflects a noticeable increase in road construction costs over recent years. Prices have climbed across the board, prompting officials to justify higher rates. Officials emphasize that an increase in the maximum fare does not automatically raise what drivers pay—the final compensation is determined by the road owner, who cannot exploit this option arbitrarily.
What is the cheapest way to reach Sochi by car or by plane?
How much will the new rates add to travel costs? For clarity, a trip from Moscow to the Black Sea is used, as car tourism to the coast is very popular and many residents from other regions take this route because it is often the shortest and fastest option.
On the M-4 Don highway, the paid sections total 889 kilometers. A passenger car on a weekend round trip from Moscow to Novorossiysk costs 2,810 rubles in one direction, which works out to 3.16 rubles per kilometer. If the proposed maximum rate of 5 rubles per kilometer is applied, the roadway cost would rise by about 1.58 times to 4,440 rubles. Adding fuel expenses, the total for a one-way trip climbs to roughly 13,000 rubles, and about 26,000 rubles for a round trip.
Return flight tickets to Sochi generally run around 8,000 rubles per person if bought in advance or on different days. In this comparison, air travel often proves cheaper than driving. This price gap could discourage some travelers from driving, potentially reducing highway traffic and encouraging detours that bypass costly segments, which in turn might shift congestion onto alternative routes.
Travel on the M-12 highway, still under construction, in a passenger car at the maximum rate of 8 rubles per kilometer for a distance of 1,700 kilometers would cost about 13,600 rubles one way. When fuel is included, roughly 8,000 rubles more, and the Moscow to Yekaterinburg journey could exceed 21,600 rubles. The question remains whether many drivers hold enough funds to cover such costs.
Why is this happening?
Officials argue that road construction costs have surged sharply. The rise is linked to higher prices for equipment and maintenance, influenced by sanctions and the withdrawal of several manufacturers from the Russian market. The demand for skilled labor on modern road projects has grown too. Road workers handle advanced and expensive machinery, and filling positions can be challenging due to training needs and wage requirements.
When a milling machine operator is called in, finding a second one becomes difficult. Training new workers takes time and money, which in turn affects construction timelines and costs.
Is there a way out?
A clear solution has not emerged. Toll road owners do not print money, and costs keep rising while the pool of specialists narrows and standards for toll roads stay high. It seems plausible that part of the costs could be financed by the state for a period, otherwise toll roads that already see low traffic might become even less utilized.
- 11 survival secrets for those who dare to drive the Kolyma highway – here.
- “Behind the wheel” can also be read in Telegram