Let's talk about how many kilometers from Rostov to Crimea

The question of how many kilometers from Rostov to the Crimea, has acquired special relevance amidst turbulent political events in Ukraine at the beginning of this year. The Crimean peninsula was included in the Russian Federation, and this made me think about the ways of transport communication with him. The traditional way to Crimea by rail through the Perekopsky isthmus has become extremely problematic, in view of the fact that most of it passes through the territory of Ukraine.

Through Rostov

The answer to a seemingly simple question about how many kilometers from Rostov to the Crimea is not quite straightforward. The thing is that you can get to the Crimea through Rostov in two ways. One of them passes directly along the northern shore of the Azov Sea, and the other runs parallel to its east coast in the direction of Anapa and Port Caucasus. The northern route in the old days was considered optimal, and it could be overcome in less than eight hours, even if there were inevitable traffic jams on the track. The length of this route - from Rostov-on-Don to Yalta - is 754 kilometers. The eastern route is much shorter. The port of Caucasus from Rostov separates 430 kilometers. But this way in the old times was not very popular, as it led only to the coast of the Kerch Strait. And the passengers were waiting for the ferry to the peninsula and the loss of time in the queue for it. Therefore, most of the tourists chose the route Rostov-Crimea, going along the northern shore of the Azov Sea in the direction of Perekop. It was traditionally considered more reliable.

In the new historical circumstances

Geographical distances have such an important quality as stability. An exception is not the popular tourist route Rostov-on-Don - Crimea. The distance between them remained the same, only the circumstances of its overcoming changed. The traditional northern route suddenly began to pass through a zone of real fighting. And even despite the fact that the border with Ukraine for tourists has not yet officially been blocked, there are not many people looking for adventures along the way. The northern road to the Crimea from Rostov has ceased to be safe. The entire economic life of the Crimean peninsula is based on the reception and maintenance of tourists. Therefore, before the beginning of the tourist season, great importance was gained in the search for alternative routes.

Through the Kerch Strait

The way through the Port of Caucasus, located on the eastern shore of the Kerch Strait, was not considered the best variant of the route to the Crimea. And since the spring of this year the load on it has increased several times. The possibility of a ferry crossing across the Kerch Strait was on the verge of exhaustion. I lost the meaning of the question of how many kilometers from Rostov to the Crimea. What does it matter that the way through the Port of Caucasus is the shortest, if more than a day you have to stand in anticipation of your turn to the crossing? It could not fundamentally change the situation and the urgent commissioning of reserve ferry capacities. They could not cope with all the increasing volume of traffic.

Alternative options

The started tourist season made it urgent to look for other ways to overcome the route Rostov-Crimea, the distance between which is not so great, but complicated by the presence of a significant water obstacle. As a reasonable alternative, a new version of the ferry crossing from the port of Anapa to the Crimean peninsula was launched. Two modern ferry boats have already been put into operation, carrying out regular transportation on the route Anapa-Kerch. It is planned to carry out direct ferry service from Anapa to such major cities of Crimea as Feodosia, Yalta, Evpatoria, and also to Sevastopol. From the very Rostov-on-Don, from the river station in the city center, this summer will be on a regular basis to take a boat route in the direction of Yalta. Travel time will be less than a day, and passengers will sail along the picturesque Crimean coast. The itinerary can be considered as a tourist.

Bridge across the strait

Approximately five years later, the final answer to the question of how many kilometers from Rostov to the Crimea should be given. They will be permanently 432. This will happen after the capital bridge crossing has been built across the Kerch Strait. It is planned to build it in the narrowest part, where the Kerch ferry crossing is currently unable to cope with the flow of passengers and cars. At the moment, the bridge project is under construction. Implementation of it involves significant financial and technical difficulties. This is due to both the large width of the strait and the need to ensure unimpeded navigation on it. In addition, the strait is characterized by a complex ice situation in the winter.