Moldovan roads are perfectly comfortable to drive on, as long as you follow a few simple rules and stay attentive behind the wheel. This short guide covers what we tell every customer before they hit the road.
The number one tip we give to anyone renting a car from us is to use Waze (waze.com). It's a free app where drivers themselves report potholes, accidents, traffic jams and speed cameras in real time. For Moldova it's by far the best option.
Google Maps works noticeably worse here. It often picks the „shortest" route and can send you down a dirt track or a broken village road, especially between smaller villages. On paper the route is shorter, in practice it's a real risk of getting stuck, particularly after rain.
The main highways (Chisinau to Balti, Chisinau to Cahul, Chisinau to the Romanian border) are in decent shape. Road works are ongoing across the country, so you'll occasionally come across sections with reversible traffic and temporary speed limits.
Three things travellers often overlook
A breakdown, getting stuck in mud, a minor accident - don't panic. The procedure is simple:
