The Kutaisi to Batumi road trip by rental car is one of the most rewarding drives in western Georgia — 157 km of winding highway through Imereti and Adjara, passing canyons, coastal villages, and the Black Sea shoreline. With a rental car from Car Rent Deme, you control the stops, the pace, and the route. No marshrutka timetables, no shared taxis, no fixed itinerary.
Kutaisi to Batumi Road Trip by Rental Car
Distance: 157 km | Drive time (non-stop): 2.5–3 hours via E60 and E70 highways | Recommended vehicle: SUV (Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4) for flexibility on side roads | Best stops: Martvili Canyon, Okatse Canyon, Kobuleti Black Sea coast | Drop-off: Car Rent Deme offers one-way rental from Kutaisi with drop-off in Batumi or Batumi Airport
Why Rent a Car in Kutaisi for This Route?
Public transport between Kutaisi and Batumi runs on a fixed schedule — marshrutkas depart a few times daily, trains stop at Kutaisi Airport station 22 km from the city center, and neither option allows you to stop anywhere between the two cities. The Kutaisi to Batumi stretch passes through some of western Georgia’s most visited natural sites, and skipping them to sit on a minibus means missing the best part of the route.
Booking car rental Kutaisi with Car Rent Deme fixes all of this. Our SUVs are ready for pickup in Kutaisi city center or directly at Kutaisi International Airport, and the same rental covers your entire road trip through to Batumi — zero deposit, full insurance, no surprises at the end.
The Route: Kutaisi to Batumi Step by Step
Here is the complete driving route for a Kutaisi to Batumi road trip by rental car, including the most worthwhile stops along the way:
Segment 1: Kutaisi to Martvili Canyon (50 km, 1 hour)
Leave Kutaisi heading northwest on the E60 toward Khoni. After Khoni, follow the road toward Martvili town and continue to the canyon entrance in Gachedili village, near the Abasha River gorge. Martvili Canyon — also known as Gachedili Canyon — sits in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region and offers a 1.2 km walk along limestone cliffs and an optional 20-minute inflatable boat ride through the canyon’s narrowest section. Plan 2 hours minimum here. This is the single best detour on the entire Kutaisi to Batumi route and the one most travelers regret skipping.
Segment 2: Martvili Canyon to Okatse Canyon (30 km, 40 minutes)
From Martvili, continue west toward Tsalenjikha district and follow signs for Okatse Canyon. The canyon features a 780-meter suspended walkway over the Okatse River gorge — one of the most dramatic viewpoints in all of Imereti and Samegrelo. Combine Martvili and Okatse in the same half-day if you leave Kutaisi early.
Segment 3: Okatse Canyon to Kobuleti (70 km, 1 hour 15 minutes)
From Okatse, head south toward Senaki, then join the E70 coastal highway heading toward Adjara. The road descends from the Samegrelo highlands through Zugdidi district before reaching the Black Sea coast near Kobuleti — a quieter alternative to Batumi with long, uncrowded sandy beaches, pine forests, and the Kintrishi Protected Areas nearby. Car Rent Deme also serves car rental Kobuleti for travelers staying in this area.
Segment 4: Kobuleti to Batumi (30 km, 35 minutes)
The final stretch hugs the Black Sea coast south along the E70. The highway passes through Makhinjauri before entering Batumi — Georgia’s Black Sea capital, known for its botanical garden, Batumi Boulevard, Ali and Nino statue, and Adjara’s unique mix of Soviet-era and modern architecture. Drop off your rental car at Car Rent Deme’s Batumi location and explore the city on foot from there.
Road Conditions: Kutaisi to Batumi
The E60 from Kutaisi to Khoni is a well-maintained dual carriageway. The roads to Martvili Canyon and Okatse Canyon branch off the main highway and are paved but narrower — expect winding single-lane sections through Gachedili village. The E70 coastal highway from Senaki to Batumi is Georgia’s most modern stretch of road and is suitable for any vehicle. An SUV is recommended not because the main road requires it, but because the canyon detours and potential side roads toward Kintrishi or Adjara mountain villages benefit from higher ground clearance.
One-Way Car Rental: Kutaisi to Batumi
Most travelers doing this Kutaisi to Batumi road trip by rental car do not want to drive back the same way — and they shouldn’t have to. Car Rent Deme offers one-way car rental Kutaisi with drop-off at Batumi city or Batumi International Airport. This means you can fly into Kutaisi, rent a car, take this full road trip, drop off in Batumi, and continue your trip from there — by train, flight, or onward driving.
For travelers coming the other direction, we also offer car rent in Kutaisi as a drop-off point for rentals starting in Tbilisi, Tbilisi Airport, or Kazbegi.
Which Car to Choose for the Kutaisi to Batumi Road Trip
Car Rent Deme’s most popular vehicles for this specific route:
- Subaru Forester — Symmetrical AWD, high ground clearance, handles the Gachedili village road with ease. Best all-round choice for this route.
- Toyota RAV4 / RAV4 Hybrid — Comfortable on the long E70 coastal stretch, efficient for the full 157 km trip.
- Mitsubishi Outlander — Spacious for families or groups with luggage heading to Batumi for a longer stay.
All vehicles are available for pickup in Kutaisi city or at Kutaisi Airport with zero deposit and full insurance already included in the daily rate — no hidden fees at the counter.
Suggested Itinerary: 1-Day vs 2-Day Road Trip
1-Day Road Trip (Early Start Required)
- 7:00 AM — Pick up rental car in Kutaisi city or at Kutaisi Airport
- 8:00 AM — Arrive at Martvili Canyon (50–60 min drive). Walk the gorge and take the boat ride.
- 11:00 AM — Drive to Okatse Canyon (30 min). Walk the suspended walkway over the gorge.
- 2:00 PM — Continue to Kobuleti (1 hr 15 min). Quick stop at the Black Sea coast.
- 3:30 PM — Arrive in Batumi. Drop off rental car. Explore Batumi Boulevard on foot.
For travelers who want the full experience, a Kutaisi to Batumi road trip by rental car done over two days is far more rewarding than rushing it in one:
2-Day Road Trip (Relaxed Pace)
- Day 1: Kutaisi → Martvili Canyon → Okatse Canyon → overnight in Zugdidi or Senaki area
- Day 2: Morning in Kobuleti (Kintrishi Reserve optional) → afternoon arrival in Batumi → drop off rental
Book Your Kutaisi to Batumi Road Trip with Car Rent Deme
The Kutaisi to Batumi road trip by rental car covers two of Georgia’s most visited regions in a single drive — and Car Rent Deme has been the trusted rent a car in Kutaisi provider for travelers making exactly this journey for over 14 years. We know the route, the roads, and the detours worth taking. Our fleet is built for this terrain, and our zero-deposit policy means your rental comes without the financial friction most rental companies impose upfront.
Why Car Rent Deme for this road trip:
- ✅ One-way rental from Kutaisi to Batumi — no need to return the car
- ✅ Zero deposit required — no large hold on your card
- ✅ Full insurance included — covering all roads on this route
- ✅ SUVs with AWD — Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander
- ✅ Pickup at Kutaisi city or Kutaisi Airport
- ✅ Drop-off in Batumi, Batumi Airport, or any of our car rental locations in Georgia
- ✅ Serving all major cities — Telavi, Stepantsminda, Zugdidi
Rates start from €55/day across our rent a car Georgia fleet, with better daily rates the longer you keep the vehicle.
Trusted by 800+ Travelers — See Our Google Reviews
Car Rent Deme holds a 5-star rating from over 800 verified customers. Many of them booked specifically for the Kutaisi to Batumi route — read what they say about the fleet, the pickup process, and the road trip experience.
👉 Read our latest Google reviews here
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Kutaisi to Batumi drive take by rental car?
Non-stop, the drive takes 2.5 to 3 hours via E60 and E70. With stops at Martvili Canyon and Okatse Canyon, allow a full day — or split it across two days for a more relaxed pace.
What is the distance from Kutaisi to Batumi?
The distance is approximately 157 km via the main E60/E70 highway route. Detours through Gachedili village for Martvili Canyon add about 20 km to the total.
Can I do a one-way car rental from Kutaisi to Batumi?
Yes. Car Rent Deme offers one-way car rental from Kutaisi city or Kutaisi Airport with drop-off in Batumi city or Batumi International Airport. Contact us on WhatsApp to confirm availability and pricing.
What stops should I make between Kutaisi and Batumi?
The two most worthwhile stops are Martvili Canyon (Gachedili Canyon) and Okatse Canyon. Both are reachable only by private vehicle — no direct public transport connects them. Kobuleti beach is a good third stop before reaching Batumi.
Does Car Rent Deme offer pickup at Kutaisi Airport?
Yes. We offer direct pickup at Kutaisi International Airport (KUT). Contact us on WhatsApp at +995 598 70 58 58 to confirm your booking and road trip requirements.
