Ukraine is considered the largest state in Europe, except for the European part of Russia. Due to the predominantly flat relief, there are no strong elevation changes, the entire territory is built up with numerous cities and villages. It is not surprising that the roads in Ukraine are a real network, entangling the entire territory of the country.
Road network in Ukraine
Since most of the highways were built on the site of existing roadways for a long time, the road network looks rather chaotic, connecting numerous cities without any planning. The main centers, from which many trails leave, are Kiev and Lvov.
These settlements have naturally become the focus of the largest highways. Several international routes pass through the country, connecting Ukraine with the rest of Europe. The main road is the E40 highway, which is part of the longest European route, leaving France and ending in Kazakhstan. On the territory of Ukraine, it connects Lviv and Kiev. It is also worth noting another road of international importance, which runs to the south, also crossing the entire territory of the country from west to east.
There are few bypass roads in Ukraine, most of them, even large highways, pass through settlements. As a result, acceleration on such roads is problematic. As a result, the average travel speed across the country will be low.
In the west of the country, due to the proximity to the Carpathian Mountains, the relief becomes more hilly, but there are no strong ups and downs here, so even a novice car enthusiast can travel here. By the way, the local routes are very picturesque due to the presence of a large number of ancient castles.
Traditionally, the Russian misfortune is relevant in Ukraine
The main problem of moving around Ukraine by car at the moment is the quality of the roads. Built under the Soviet Union, they are now largely in disrepair and require repair.
In addition, weather conditions also affect - after each winter the asphalt comes, if not completely unusable, then at least requires restoration work.
If on the main roads you can still find good sections, then the rest of the roads terrify visitors with their condition. Numerous potholes and pits require extreme caution from the driver, because you can lose a wheel, unsuccessfully hitting another pothole. Many travel sites provide maps showing road conditions to help the traveler choose the best route.
Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, a full-scale road improvement company has been postponed so far, although repairs are still being carried out in some places. But with the roadside infrastructure in the country, everything is fine. Here you can always find small cafes and shops to stop for a rest and have a snack.
There is a lot of motor transport on Ukrainian roads, but serious traffic jams can be found only in Kiev, and even then they cannot be called critical.
A trip to Ukraine can be a great way of rest and an opportunity to get to know this interesting country better. However, all pleasure can be spoiled by the poor quality of roads, many of which require urgent repair.
