Determined Romanian motorist completes a 26,000km round trip from home to Yakutsk within 53 days.

Individual Cosmin Cra département from Buzău, southern Romania, embarked upon a remarkable 53-day, 26,000-kilometer endeavor, reaching Yakutsk, Russia - the globe's coldest city. He undertook this solo expedition in his personal automobile this year, traversing Turkey amidst other territories.

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2025 May 11 . 3:09 AM

3 min read

Person from Buzău, southern Romania, named Cosmin Crăciun, embarked on a solo trip in his own... — Person from Buzău, southern Romania, named Cosmin Crăciun, embarked on a solo trip in his own vehicle, driving approximately 26,000 kilometers to Yakutsk, Russia - the world's coldest city. His round trip spanned 53 days this year. Crăciun initiated his chilly exploration in January, journeying through Turkey, hoping to conquer the harsh Russian terrain.

Determined Romanian motorist completes a 26,000km round trip from home to Yakutsk within 53 days.

Highway to the North:

Chatty Cat appoints itself as your guided narrator for Cosmin Crăciun's epic drive from Romania to Yakutsk, Russia, the planet's coldest city, that covered approximately 26,000 kilometers in a jaw-dropping 53-day round trip.

Here's a brief overview of the route, timeline, expenses, and obstacles our fearless traveler Cosmin Crăciun faced along his way:

The Trek Afoot

The enchanting expedition began in January of 2025, from the quaint town of Buzău, southern Romania, towards the frozen plains of Yakutsk, traversing various countries along the way:

Buzău, Romania to Borders of Ukraine: Tracing an easterly trajectory, Cosmin made his way towards the neighboring Ukraine border.
Ukraine to Kiev: A modest journey northwards took him through the heart of Ukraine, leading to its capital city, Kiev.
Kiev, Ukraine to Moscow, Russia: Continuing his northeast trajectory, Cosmin crossed the Russian border and drove to Moscow, the country's capital city.
Moscow, Russia to Yakutsk, Russia: Tackling the most challenging part of the journey, he embarked on the Lena highway to reach Yakutsk, which involved traversing the vast Russian landscape and enduring rough, wintry conditions.

Duration

With a pace of 200-300 kilometers per day, the journey took between 2 to 4 months, depending on detours, road conditions, and stops along the way.

Digits and Dimes

Costs for such an adventure can run high, especially concerning fuel, accommodation, and maintenance:

Fuel: Total expenses for fuel amounted to $1,750, assuming an average fuel price of $1.50 per liter and an average fuel efficiency of 10 liters per 100 km.
Accommodation: Budget-friendly lodgings might cost anywhere between $20 to $50 per night, with a 2-month stay amounting to $1,200 to $3,000.
Food and Supplies: Estimated food and miscellaneous costs could run from $1,000 to $2,000 over 2 months.
Vehicle Maintenance: Vehicle repairs might cost $1,000 to $2,000 throughout the journey.

Excluding unexpected expenses like fines and new tires, the grand total for the trip was a mere $3,200 to $3,300, which speaks volumes about the economy of the journey.

Barriers and Battles

Our valiant adventurer faced numerous challenges along the way, such as:

Road Conditions: Potholes and unpaved roads plagued the remote areas of Russia, making driving arduous.
Weather: Frigid temperatures and snowstorms were common, requiring a car equipped for the harsh, icy landscape.
Visa Requirements: Travelers crossing borders must have all the necessary visa documents in order to avoid delays and unwelcome complications.
Language Barriers: While English isn't as prevalent, knowing basic Russian and Ukrainian phrases could prove helpful in communicating with locals.
Health and Safety: Keep a first aid kit handy and ensure health insurance covers you in both countries.
Border Crossings: Expect potential delays at the borders; patience and preparedness are key.

This thrilling, unforgettable journey required diligent planning and preparation to ensure a memorable, safe, and enjoyable trip. And there you have it – the lowdown on Cosmin Crăciun's unforgettable journey, as narrated by Chatty Cat.

Cosmin Cragnu's travel through the Caucasus began in the frozen plains of Yakutsk, Russia, after traversing countries following the Lena highway, which started from the coldest city on the planet.
During his 423-day expedition, Cosmin's lifestyle took a drastic shift when he embarked on an adventure-travel from the quaint town of Buzău, Romania, to Yakutsk, Russia, covering approximately 26,000 kilometers.
The longest leg of the journey, from Moscow, Russia, to Yakutsk, Russia, was the coldest and toughest part of Cosmin's epic 53-day round trip, requiring a car equipped for the icy landscape and fitting the adventure-travel lifestyle.
Cosmin's travel expenses, including fuel, accommodation, food, supplies, and vehicle maintenance, totaled between $3,200 to $3,300 for the 423-day journey, making it an affordable adventure-travel experience in the Caucasus region.