Armenia has a relatively well-developed road network, serving all areas of its economy with 257.6 km of roads per 1,000 km2. Most of freight and passenger transport is made by road. The road network is 7,700 km long with 1,400 km of interstate roads, 2,520 km of regional roads and 3,780 km of local roads. Surface condition of these roads varies from excellent to fair, although all are passable. Many sections are dual carriageway. The southern half of the country is very mountainous and has only one single main road stretching from Vaik to Meghri on the Iranian border. Damage to this road due to an earthquake or landslide could severely affect transportation of supplies to the region. Secondary roads are in poor condition and local knowledge would be essential before dispatching any supplies along such routes. The average width of the main roads is from 6 to 8 m and the secondary roads up to around 5 m. The road surface is mainly asphalt. Most of the roads are open all year, however during the winter; the roads in the North (Shirak and Lori Marzes) and in the South (Synik) could be closed for shorter periods due to insufficient snow cleaning machinery. The heavy snow and fogs are mostly common from the end of January to the beginning of February
From 1992 till nowadays road reconstruction and rehabilitation are one of main areas were government of Armenia is involved together with different international organizational and fund, such as World Bank and MCA (Millennium Challenges Account) and All Armenian Fund. With help of these organizations all major roads and now even smaller road has been reconstructed and some portions even completely rebuilt. Such as recently built tunnel between roads Sevan-Dilijan let to bypass certain mount passes. Overall road maintenance relies on Ministry of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Armenia.
Distance Matrix
DISTANCES FROM CAPITAL CITY TO MAJOR TOWNS (km) | ||||||||
|
Yerevan |
Gyumri |
Vanadzor |
Goris |
Vardenis |
Ashotsk |
Meghri |
Idjevan |
Yerevan |
- |
125 |
118 |
240 |
162 |
160 |
373 |
135 |
Gyumri |
125 |
- |
60 |
365 |
238 |
36 |
498 |
136 |
Vanadzor |
118 |
60 |
- |
368 |
166 |
92 |
491 |
76 |
Goris |
240 |
365 |
368 |
- |
402 |
400 |
133 |
375 |
Vardenis |
162 |
238 |
166 |
402 |
- |
274 |
535 |
156 |
Ashotsk |
160 |
36 |
92 |
400 |
274 |
- |
533 |
172 |
Meghri |
373 |
498 |
491 |
133 |
535 |
533 |
- |
508 |
Idjevan |
135 |
136 |
76 |
375 |
156 |
172 |
508 |
- |
Road Security
Public Safety is of major concern to the Republic of Armenia established in National Security Strategy of the Republic of Armenia. High level political interest in improving road safety clearly exists in Armenia, with the ambition to achieve the good practice road safety levels found in Europe. Armenia is firmly committed to improving its safety performance. In December 2005, a Presidential decree formed a multi-agency Task Force to develop proposals to address traffic management and safety issues and to develop proposals to reform the provision of traffic safety management services provided by the traffic police.
The vehicle fleet in Armenia is old (12 years on average) and of relatively poor safety quality, however at least 10,000 newer vehicles are imported annually. Armenia is experiencing rapid growth in motor vehicle ownership and use. In the last five years the motor vehicle fleet increased by 30%, while the traffic carried by road increased by 38% (freight) and 61% (passengers). This rapid motorization is causing traffic congestion in Yerevan and traffic collisions to increase rapidly across the country
There have been insecurity incidents on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan mainly in areas of Tavush and Gegharkunik regions, with several incidents on road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan, which passes close to the border and military emplacements.
In the winter due to heavy snows some roads, especially road from Vanadzor to Yerevan and Yerevan to Kapan might be closed for one or two days, in winter all trucks have to have chains to drive through mountainous areas.
Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits
According to local legislation there are limits on certain axle loads:
- Single axle up to 10 mt
- Double axle up to 18 mt
- Triple axel up to 22 mt
Above these limits there are charges per km, which has to be paid at the border crossing, in case trucks are registered not in Armenia, and trucks registered in Armenia within 30 days.
Charges per km for truck with single axle exceeding load of 10 tons |
AMD |
USD |
Load Capacity: From 10 – up to 10.5 tons |
45.00 |
0.11 |
Load Capacity: From 10.5 – up to 11 tons |
110.00 |
0.27 |
Load Capacity: From 11.00 – up to 11.5 tons |
175.00 |
0.42 |
Load Capacity: From 11.5 – up to 12.00 tons |
265.00 |
0.64 |
Load Capacity: From 12.00 – up to 12.5 tons |
375.00 |
0.91 |
Load Capacity: From 12.5 – up to 13.00 tons |
530.00 |
1.28 |
Load Capacity: From 13.00 – up to 13.5 tons |
770.00 |
1.87 |
Load Capacity: From 13.50 – up to 14.0 tons |
1100.00 |
2.66 |
Load Capacity: From 14.00 – up to 14.5 tons |
1430.00 |
3.46 |
Load Capacity: From 14.5 – up to 15.00 tons |
1760.00 |
4.26 |
Load Capacity: From 15.00 – up to 15.5 tons |
2100.00 |
5.09 |
Load Capacity: From 15.5 – up to 16.0 tons |
2400.00 |
5.81 |
Above 16.00 tons and higher 2400 AMD plus 45 AMD per each 500 kg per km |
Charges per km for truck with double axle exceeding load of 18 tons |
AMD |
USD |
Load Capacity: From 18 – up to 19 tons |
265.00 |
0.64 |
Load Capacity: From 19 – up to 20 tons |
380.00 |
0.92 |
Load Capacity: From 20 – up to 21 tons |
430.00 |
1.04 |
Load Capacity: From 21 – up to 22 tons |
700.00 |
1.70 |
Load Capacity: From 23 – up to 23 tons |
925.00 |
2.24 |
Load Capacity: From 23 – up to 24 tons |
1190.00 |
2.88 |
Load Capacity: From 24 – up to 25 tons |
1540.00 |
3.73 |
Load Capacity: From 25– up to 26 tons |
1950.00 |
4.72 |
Above 26 tons, 2650 AMD plus 55 AMD per each 1000 kg per km |
Charges per km for truck with triple axel exceeding load of 22 tons |
AMD |
USD |
Load Capacity: From 22 – up to 22.5 tons |
90.00 |
0.22 |
Load Capacity: From 22.5 – up to 23 tons |
110.00 |
0.27 |
Load Capacity: From 23 – up to 24 tons |
175.00 |
0.42 |
Load Capacity: From 24 – up to 25 tons |
265.00 |
0.64 |
Load Capacity: From 25 – up to 26 tons |
395.00 |
0.96 |
Load Capacity: From 26 – up to 27 tons |
550.00 |
1.33 |
Load Capacity: From 27 – up to 28 tons |
705.00 |
1.71 |
Load Capacity: From 28– up to 29 tons |
880.00 |
2.13 |
Load Capacity: From 29 –up to30 tons |
1080.00 |
2.62 |
Load Capacity: From 30 – up to31 tons |
1300.00 |
3.15 |
Load Capacity: From 31 – up to 32 tons |
1540.00 |
3.73 |
Load Capacity: From 32 – up to33 tons |
1805.00 |
4.37 |
Load Capacity: From 33 – up to34 tons |
2135.00 |
5.17 |
Load Capacity: From 34 – up to35 tons |
2650.00 |
6.42 |
Above 35 tons and higher 2650 AMD plus 45 AMD per each 1000 kg per km |
NOTE: For trucks crossing border, these charges are paid at the border to the customs office or at final destination before goods are released.
Axle load limits |
LCA Country |
Transit Country |
Truck with 2 axles |
18,000 kg |
10,000 kg |
Truck with 3 axles |
22,000 kg |
30,000 kg |
Truck with 4 axles |
36,000 kg |
40,000 kg |
Road Class and Surface Conditions
According to local legislation (Nº 112 dated, 12th Jan, 2008) there are 3 types of roads in Armenia. They are interstate, republican and regional
Classification |
Road Description |
Class: Interstate, code M1 RN |
From Yerevan– Gyumri – Gogavan, average width 8 mt |
Class: Interstate, code M2 RN |
From Yerevan– Goris – Meghri, average width 5 mt |
Class: Interstate, code M6 RN |
From Yerevan–Vanadzor – Sadakhlo, average width 5 mt |
Route Nationale (bitumen), Route Nationale (gravel), Route District (gravel), Unclassified Route, Urban Routes etc… |