Highways in Lithuania / Vignettes and tolls

In fact, only two routes have the status of motorways in Lithuania – the almost 200 km long A1 (section from Kaunas to Klaipeda) and the more than 130 km long A2. Only they fully meet the requirements of real expressways, i.e. they simply have two lanes in each direction and collision-free intersections. It is also good that one of them runs from the east to the west and the other from the north to the south of Lithuania. In this way, you can quite quickly reach most areas in this country via motorways.
However, when looking at the map of Lithuania, there are many more routes marked with a capital A. However, you have to be aware that the rest of them are main roads that do not yet meet the criteria to deserve the title of highways. They require modernization, which the Lithuanian authorities are gradually trying to implement. However, the most important information is the fact that driving on roads and highways in Lithuania does not require the purchase of any vignettes.

Road and motorway network in Lithuania

As for the motorway network in Lithuania, it must be admitted that it is still in the planning phase. Apart from the A1 (part) and A2 routes, the rest of the main roads have only one carriageway and collision intersections. Nevertheless, the road network in Lithuania is fully developed and does not differ much from what we know from our country. We can easily get to any place that interests us, not only to the largest cities. Sometimes we will travel through Lithuania on lower-class roads located somewhere in the provinces that require major renovation.

Highways in Lithuania / Road tolls, expressways and vignettes
Map of highways in Lithuania / Road tolls, expressways and vignettes

It is also worth adding that the road and motorway network in Lithuania is in a much better condition than in the neighboring countries that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many drivers appreciate driving on Lithuanian roads, the more that they do not have to pay for them. In addition, there is much less traffic on them. What may also change when the Via Baltica route is completed. The length of all roads in Liw is over 67,000 kilometers. You should also know that this relatively small country is crossed by six European routes: E28, E67, E77, E 85, E262 and E272.

Highways in Lithuania

Motorways in Lithuania are basically two A1 and A2 routes. Everything else is just aspiring to be the real expressways. This does not prevent them from being marked on the map with a capital letter A and an appropriate number. In total, there are 21 highways and other main roads in Lithuania, including the ring roads of major cities. Their total length is 21,000 kilometers.
The capital of Lithuania – Vilnius is connected with other metropolises by roads of a standard similar to highways, which makes traveling on them more comfortable. The more that the general infrastructure located along the routes is quite well developed. It is about catering and accommodation services, parking spaces and gas stations.
It is also worth adding that most motorways in Lithuania are at the design stage. Currently, the most important section is E67, which will be part of the Via Baltica route. It will be the main artery connecting the Baltic states with Finland, Poland and the Czech Republic. The Lithuanian section is to be completed in 2022, if all goes to plan.

List of highways and main roads in Lithuania:

  • A1 is a route from Vilnius to Klaipeda, which is a fully-fledged highway over a distance of over 200 kilometers from Kaunas to Klaipeda.
  • A2 is an almost 136 km long motorway connecting the capital of Lithuania with Panevezys.
  • A3 is one of the main roads in this country, leading from Vilnius to the border with Belarus
  • A4 leads from the capital of Lithuania to Druskininkai, and then to the Belarusian border.
  • A5 leads from Kaunas to Marijampole and further towards the border with Poland.
  •  A6 connects Kaunas with the Latvian border.
  • A7 is the route from Marijampole to Kibarta, towards the border with Russia.
  • A8 leads from Panevezys via Aristav to Sitkunai.
  • A9 is the main road connecting Panevezys with Siauliai.
  • A10 leads from Panevezys to Posvol, and then to the border with Latvia.
  • A11 leads from Šiauliai to Palanga.
  • A12 runs from the Latvian border, through Siauliai, Taurogi, to the border with Russia.
  • A13 connects Klappa with Butynga, and then with the Latvian border.
  • A14 leads from Vilnius to Uciana.
  • A15 leads from the capital of Lithuania to Soleczniki and then straight to the border with Belarus.
  • A16 runs from Vilnius, through Preny, to Marijampole.
  • A17 is the Panevezys bypass with a length of over 22 kilometers.
  • A18 is the 17 km long Šiauliai bypass.
  • A19 is less than 8 kilometers long and encircles the southern part of Vilnius.
  • A20 is the northern bypass of Wiłkomierz.
  • A21 is the over three-kilometer long Poniemuń bypass.

See also motorways in Germany.

Vignettes in Lithuania

As we have already mentioned, passenger cars using highways and roads in Lithuania do not need to have any vignettes. Driving on Lithuanian roads is completely free. This applies not only to passenger cars, but also to all cars with up to eight passenger seats (plus the driver), as well as motorcycles. All other vehicles over 3.5 tons of gross weight and over eight passenger seats are subject to tolls for driving on roads and motorways in Lithuania.
The toll system for trucks, buses (over 9 seats) and buses is based on vignettes. Up to two years or so, the traditional stickers are gone and the payment can only be made electronically. The price of vignettes in Lithuania for trucks and buses depends on their weight and the length of time they want to use the local roads. You can choose between daily, weekly, monthly and yearly vignettes. You can buy them via the website of the Lithuanian National Roads Directorate.
Also check the highways in the Czech Republic.

Vignettes in Lithuania / What price? Where to buy? How to stick?
Vignettes in Lithuania / What price? Where to buy? How to stick?

What else is worth knowing about traveling by car in Lithuania?

Driving on Lithuanian roads is quite comfortable. You should definitely watch out for speed bumps also located on main roads, especially in built-up areas. In addition, some of the roads, especially those in the countryside, may be gravel, which is not always indicated by navigation. The Lithuanians who drive themselves also like to drive quite freely, for example not using signs or unexpectedly turning back in forbidden places.
As for the speed limit for driving on roads and highways in Lithuania, it is as follows:

  • in built-up areas, you can drive up to 50 km / h
  • outside built-up areas, we drive at speeds of up to 70 km / h on non-asphalt roads
  • on expressways it is possible to travel up to 110 km / h (with a trailer up to 90 km / h)
  • in turn, on motorways we travel at a speed of 130 km / h (with a trailer up to 90 km / h)

The exception is drivers who have only been driving for less than two years. Their rule is not to exceed the speed of 90 km / h. Also in the period from November to March, the permissible values ​​are reduced, on highways to 100 km / h and on motorways to 110 km / h, due to more difficult weather conditions.

When traveling on the roads in Lithuania, you must have a driving license and a valid identity document – ID card or passport. For this you also need a registration certificate with a valid technical inspection of our vehicle and civil liability. If we run a company car, a permit from the leasing company translated into English will also be useful.
As for the mandatory equipment of our car, in Lithuania we must have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle, and a reflective vest if we leave the car outside the built-up area. In winter, winter tires are obligatory, while when we pull a trailer that is wider than our vehicle, we must also have additional side mirrors and one more warning triangle.
See also highways in Slovakia.
In Lithuania it is obligatory to drive in fastened seat belts and with the dipped headlights on all year round. The permissible amount of alcohol in blood here is 0.4 per mille. However, fresh drivers, under two years of driving, cannot drink anything at all. Children up to 135 cm tall must be transported in special seats. Conversely, phone calls while driving are only possible with a hands-free kit.
Important phone numbers in Lithuania

  • 01 fire department
  • 02 police
  • 03 ambulance service
  • 112 emergency number
  • 118 telephone information

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