Trans Eurasian Expedition: Tallinn, Estonia to Tianjin, China (Germany, best, trucks)

[Adi from the Brunswicks]

So, anybody here daring enough to complete a Trans Eurasian Expedition during their lifetime from Tallinn, Estonia to Tianjin, China WITH your Significant other to help out . I feel that it would indeed be an exciting trip. Google maps says a route is impossible, but I feel that it can be done. Traveling across various prominent & spectacular geographical features that mother nature has to offer along this route is truly a scintillating experience. Anyone willing to give it a shot during their lifetime .

[jtur88]

Google maps are horribly unreliable as to whether a trip is "possible". In some parts of the world, they do not route through border crossings.

Recent reports indicate that there is a usasble road now from Moscow to Vladivistok.

http://www.visit-plus.com/road_moscow_siberia

From Vladivostok, there is no problem driving into China, with frequent buses making the crossing every day. The big problem would be getting the proper papers to enter in a private car into China.

[Soviet]

Have you seen "Long Way Round" with Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman?

And Goofie Maps doesn't know Russia. Try Yandex.ru

Look for "Карты"

[boxus]

I have driven from Eastern Europe to Central Asia, right up to the border of China; it is no big deal besides the minor annoyances of police trying to get money off of you, some bad roads, and bad drivers; other than that, perfectly normal, it is a semi-busy trade route.

It is not impossible, as I stated, lots of trade goes on with all sorts of trucks and people going back and forth. A lot of people drive/transport old cars from Germany to resell in parts of Russia and throughout central Asia. A lot of goods come from China via this route.

[Adi from the Brunswicks]

Tracing the historic silk route sounds like loads of fun. The only thing I am worried about is security while driving through certain areas for obvious reasons. However, for the most part I believe you will be avoiding Terrorist hubs. The route I feel will be the best is:

1. Tallinn
2. Moscow
3. Kazan
4. Omsk
5. Novosibirsk
6. Ulaanbaatar
7. Beijing
8. Tianjin

Additionally, to make the challenge even more Fun, this should be done in Early January during with a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado in 13 days . Reaching the final destination on time might involve some off roading in heavy snow (have you done it).

[boxus]

You would be better off driving something that there are actually parts for. The chances of there being parts for a Silverado are next to nothing. Best thing would to be purchase something there, drive it, then sell it after you are done. Get a MB, BMW, Toyota, Lada, something which there are a ton of that type around, thus parts and knowledgeable mechanics.

You are not making it in 13 days in the winter, lucky to, maybe if, seriously doubt it in the summer.

The only terror hubs are far away from any route, you have to dip into the Dagestan, Chechnya, Caucasus region for that. The serious issues are; cops, driving at night is not advised, you will be stopped more than a few times even in the day time; bad drivers, some people have no regard for their life nor yours; border crossings (country/city/region) which can take an agonizing amount of time.