How Long is the A17 Road from Jezkazgan to Kyzylorda?
Kazakhstan, asia
439 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Headed through central Kazakhstan? Buckle up for the wild ride from Jezkazgan to Kyzylorda! This stretch of the E123, also known as A344, clocks in at a hefty 439 km (272 miles) – linking the city of Jezkazgan in the Karaganda Region to Kyzylorda, the capital of the Kyzylorda Region.
Now, let's talk road conditions. This isn’t your average Sunday drive, folks. Expect a mix of paved and unpaved sections, and be prepared to dodge some serious potholes – maintenance is not exactly a priority out here. Imagine a wide road cutting through a cold, harsh desert landscape. The first 130 km? Decent asphalt, with a sprinkle of well-maintained dirt. Then, get ready for about 200 km of fairly smooth dirt road – nothing a good vehicle can't handle at a steady 80 km/h. But hold on, the last 100 km or so throws some asphalt back into the mix, ranging from barely-there to just-passable. The sun really does a number on that pavement, and those heavy trucks don't help, leaving the asphalt pretty rough for smaller vehicles.
So, is it worth it? Absolutely! You'll be cruising through thousands of square kilometers of raw, untouched landscape between these two cities, a mix of steppe and pure desert. This is true wilderness, offering a scenic – albeit challenging – adventure. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!
Road Details
- Country
- Kazakhstan
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 439 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in asia
hardDriving through the wild Galung La tunnel
🇨🇳 China
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Galongla Tunnel! You'll find this epic passageway nestled high in the Nyingchi Prefecture of southwestern Tibet, China. We're talking serious altitude here – 3,771 meters (12,372 feet) above sea level. This 3.3 km tunnel is a key piece of the 117km Medog Highway, connecting Medog to Bome county. Before this marvel of engineering, Medog was the only county in China you couldn't reach by road. Now, thanks to Galongla, this once super-isolated spot is connected! Construction wrapped up in 2013, and it's a game-changer. The old road was *rough*, but this tunnel bypasses the worst of it. Be warned, though: this area is prone to rain, earthquakes, landslides, and mudslides, and the road leading up to the tunnel is seriously twisty and turny. Get ready for some breathtaking scenery, if you can peel your eyes off the road!
moderateA challenging mountain road to Sa Mu Pass in Quang Tri
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're cruising through western Quảng Trị, Vietnam, get ready for Đèo Sa Mù, a wild mountain pass that tops out at 1,400 meters (that's 4,593 feet!). You'll find it hugging the Laos border in the west-central part of the country. This stretch of the Ho Chi Minh Highway is no joke. Sure, it's paved, kinda, but don't expect a smooth ride. Think steep climbs, hairpin turns, and a road that's seen better days. Locals used to call Sa Mù the "ghost road" because of its treacherous reputation. Oh, and watch out for wind and fog – they love hanging out here. This 36-kilometer (22-mile) stretch between Cồ Nhổi Phùng Linh and Thôn Trăng is a real test, especially if you're heading north-south. But hey, if you're up for a challenge with incredible (if a little spooky) scenery, Đèo Sa Mù is calling your name!
hardIs Shingo La unpaved?
🇮🇳 India
Shingo La, also called Shinkun La and a bunch of other names, sits way up high at 5,048m (16,561ft), right on the border between Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh in India. Guess what? This epic pass, part of the new Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road (NPDR) or Zanskar Highway completed in 2024, is now fully paved! It's a winding 56.8 km (35.29 miles) stretch between Darcha and Kurgiakh, linking Himachal’s Lahaul valley with Ladakh’s Zanskar valley. Don't let the pavement fool you, though. This route is no joke. Expect hairpin turns and real risks of avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides. The area is known for heavy snowfall, so the pass is usually closed from October to June. The scenery, however, is unreal. You'll be cruising through vast open plains, surrounded by incredible mountains and past crystal-clear lakes. Good news on the horizon! A 4.25 km tunnel is under construction, aiming for completion by 2025, to provide all-weather access. Even with the tunnel, heavy snowfall might still cause temporary closures to the approach road during winter.
moderateWhere is Kaputzhukh Pass?
🌍 Armenia
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Kaputzhukh Pass! This epic high-altitude pass straddles the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, offering seriously breathtaking views. You'll find it nestled between Syunik Province in Armenia (that's the southernmost tip) and the Ordubad District of Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road — we're talking full-on unpaved! A 4x4 is an absolute MUST if you're even thinking about tackling this beast. Make sure your GPS is updated too, because you'll be navigating some seriously remote terrain. Expect a good stretch of driving, as the pass clocks in at roughly [insert mileage here]. You'll be traversing from [starting point Azerbaijan] to [ending point Armenia]. Oh, and a heads up: winter pretty much shuts this road down completely [seasonally closed]. But if you're up for the challenge, the scenery is out of this world!