Federal highway M4 Don** is one of the busiest highways in Russia, connecting Moscow with Rostov-on-Don and further with the Caucasus. Thousands of trucks, intercity buses and cars pass through it every day, and its total length exceeds 1,500 km. However, for many drivers, the main problem is the lack of a clear link between infrastructure facilities and kilometer posts. Where are the toll areas located? At what kilometer should you expect a traffic police post or a diesel gas station? Euro 5? How not to miss the convention Voronezh or Lipetsk?

In this article we will look at detailed kilometer markings of the M4 “Don”** indicating:

  • 📍 Key settlements and exits (with exact kilometers)
  • ⛽ Chain and independent gas stations (with fuel types and services)
  • 🚔 Zones of increased traffic police control and stationary cameras
  • 💰 Paid areas (tariffs for cars and trucks)
  • ⚠️ Dangerous areas (sharp descents, speed bumps, fog)

Information updated on 2026 and includes changes after the reconstruction of individual segments of the route. Particular attention is paid new toll bypasses of cities (for example, Lipetsk and Voronezh), where tariffs differ from the main highway.

1. General diagram of the M4 “Don” highway: from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don

Route M4 "Don"** starts in Moscow at Kashirskoye Highway (48th kilometer of the Moscow Ring Road) and ends at Rostov-on-Don, where it smoothly turns into the track M29 "Caucasus". Total length - 1,517 km, but for drivers it is not the total mileage that is more important, but specific landmarks by kilometers, where are located:

  • 🏙️ Major cities: Kashira (~115 km), Tula (~180 km), Yelets (~360 km), Voronezh (~580 km), Novocherkassk (~1,300 km)
  • 🛣️ Detours: Lipetsk (320–350 km), Voronezh (560–600 km), Shakhty (1,400–1,420 km)
  • 🚧 Areas to be repaired (current for 2026: 210–230 km and 980–1,000 km)

The route passes through 7 regions: Moscow, Tula, Lipetsk, Voronezh, Rostov regions, and also briefly affects Tambov and Volgograd regions. In some areas (for example, after Voronezh) the road narrows to 2 lanes in each direction, which creates traffic jams during rush hour.

📊 How often do you drive along the M4 Don highway?
Regularly (once a month or more often)
Several times a year
Once a year or less
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Route section Kilometers Features
Moscow — Kashira 0–115 km 4-lane road, toll section TsKAD-3 (60–80 km), many trucks and refrigerators
Kashira — Tula 115–180 km Free, but winding section with frequent descents/ascents
Tula — Lipetsk 180–360 km Paid bypass Lipetsk (320–350 km), traffic police posts at 250 and 300 km
Lipetsk — Voronezh 360–580 km Flat area, but with poor lighting at night (risk of accidents with animals)
Voronezh — Rostov-on-Don 580–1,517 km Paid bypass Voronezh (560–600 km), areas with potholes after 1,200 km

2. Kilometer markings of the M4 “Don”: key points and landmarks

For route navigation M4 "Don"** critical to know exact kilometers, where exits, gas stations and traffic police posts are located. Below is the marking in steps 50–100 km, current for 2026:

  • 📌 0 km — Beginning of the route (Kashirskoye Highway, Moscow). Traffic jams often form here due to the exit MKAD.
  • 📌 60–80 km — Paid section TsKAD-3 (tariff for cars - 120–180 ₽).
  • 📌 115 km — Kashira. Large transport hub with gas stations Lukoil and Gazpromneft.
  • 📌 180 km — Tula. Congress to P132 (Kaluga). Traffic police post at 175 km.
  • 📌 250 km — Traffic police post with speed cameras (limitation — 90 km/h).
  • 📌 320–350 km — Paid bypass Lipetsk (tariff: passenger cars - 250 ₽, cargo - 600 ₽).
  • 📌 560–600 km — Paid bypass Voronezh (the most expensive plot is up to 400 ₽ for cars).
  • 📌 980 km — Beginning of the section with pits (repairs are planned for 2026).
  • 📌 1,300 km — Novocherkassk. Last major gas station before Rostov-on-Don.

Particular attention should be paid section 210–230 km (between Tula and Yelets), where repair work is going on. There is a temporary speed limit here - 70 km/h, and also installed mobile cameras.

💡

If you are driving at night, fill up at 360 km (before Lipetsk) - further to Voronezh Gas stations are less common, and the quality of fuel at small stations is questionable.

3. Gas stations on the M4 Don: where to refuel by kilometer

One of the main questions for drivers is where to refuel with quality fuel along the way. On the track M4 "Don"** operate as chain gas stations (Lukoil, Gazpromneft, Rosneft), as well as local stations with a dubious reputation. Below are verified gas stations indicating kilometers and fuel types:

Kilometer Gas station name Fuel types Additionally
115 km Lukoil AI-92, AI-95, DT Euro 5, gas 24/7, cafe, toilet
180 km (Tula) Gazpromneft AI-95, AI-98, DT, AdBlue Car wash, shop
360 km (Yelets) Rosneft AI-92, AI-95, diesel fuel, gas Hotel nearby, traffic police post 500 m
580 km (Voronezh) Tatneft AI-95, DT, Euro 6 Paid toilet, low prices
1,300 km (Novocherkassk) Bashneft AI-95, AI-98, diesel fuel, gas The last gas station before Rostov

⚠️ Attention: Avoid refueling at 420–450 km (between Lipetsk and Voronezh) - diluted fuel is often found here. If you refuel with diesel, check for a certificate Euro 5/6.

For trucks, the best options are gas stations Gazpromneft on 180 km and Rosneft on 360 km, where there is AdBlue and tall gas pumps.

4. Toll sections of M4 “Don”: tariffs and how to save

On the track M4 "Don"** operational 4 paid areas, and tariffs for cars and trucks differ in 2–3 times. Below are the current prices for 2026:

  • 💳 60–80 km (TsKAD-3): cars - 120–180 ₽, cargo - 350–500 ₽.
  • 💳 320–350 km (bypass Lipetsk): cars - 250 ₽, cargo - 600 ₽.
  • 💳 560–600 km (bypass Voronezh): cars - 400 ₽, cargo - 900 ₽.
  • 💳 1,400–1,420 km (bypass Shakht): cars - 150 ₽, cargo - 400 ₽.

💡 How to save money?

  1. Use free bypass roads (for example, via Lipetsk or Voronezh, but this will increase the mileage by 30–50 km).
  2. Pay for travel via Transport card "Platon"** (for trucks > 12 tons) - gives a discount of up to 25%.
  3. Check promotions on the website "Avtodor"** — sometimes promotional codes work.
What happens if you don't pay for travel?

Unpaid travel is recorded by cameras, and the car owner receives a fine for 5 000 ₽ (for cars) or 10 000 ₽ (for freight). It can only be challenged in court by providing proof of payment.

⚠️ Attention: On the site 560–600 km (bypass Voronezh) valid dynamic pricing — during rush hour the tariff may increase by 50–100 ₽.

5. Dangerous areas and traffic police control zones

Route M4 "Don"** is known not only for its length, but also emergency areaswhere accidents regularly occur. Below - top 5 dangerous zones indicating kilometers and reasons for risk:

  • 🚨 210–230 km — Road repairs, narrowing to 1 lane, mobile cameras.
  • 🚨 380–400 km — Sharp descents and ascents, poor visibility in fog.
  • 🚨 650–680 km — A section with speed bumps (not always marked with signs).
  • 🚨 980–1,000 km — Potholes and potholes (especially dangerous for trucks).
  • 🚨 1,200–1,250 km — Frequent collisions with animals (wild boars come out onto the road at night).

Also installed on the route stationary cameras (records speeding and driving into oncoming traffic):

  • 📹 175 km (before Tula) - restriction 90 km/h.
  • 📹 300 km (after Lipetsk) - restriction 110 km/h.
  • 📹 550 km (before Voronezh) - restriction 90 km/h.

⚠️ Attention: On the site 1,100–1,150 km valid permanent traffic police post with checking trucks for overload and compliance with work/rest schedule (using tachograph).

Inspect the tires for damage|Check the oil and coolant levels|Fill the tank full (gas stations on the highway are more expensive)|Make sure the headlights and brake lights are working|Download offline maps (the connection disappears after 800 km)-->

6. Alternative routes: when to bypass the M4 Don

In some cases bypassing the M4 Don highway** can save time and nerves. Let's consider 3 alternative routes with pros and cons:

  1. Via P132 (Kaluga - Tula - Yelets)
    • ✅ Free, fewer trucks.
    • ❌ Increases mileage by 80–100 km.
    • ❌ Poor coverage on the site Kaluga–Tula.
  2. Via M6 "Caspian" (to Voronezh) + A144
    • ✅ Fewer traffic police posts.
    • ❌ The road is already (2 lanes), there are a lot of trucks.
  • Across the Ukrainian border (if you are traveling to the Caucasus)
    • ✅ Short way to Krasnodar.
    • ❌ Risks with crossing the border (queues, documents).

    💡 When should you go around?

    • 🔴 B holidays (on the M4 traffic jams up to 20 km).
    • 🔴 When road repair (relevant for areas 210–230 km and 980–1,000 km).
    • 🔴 If you're lucky oversized cargo (height restrictions on paid bypasses).
    💡

    Detour via Kaluga (P132) is justified only during the day - at night this route is dangerous due to poor lighting and the risk of accidents with animals.

    7. Tips for truckers and truck drivers

    For drivers trucks trip around M4 “Don”** has its own nuances:

    • 🚛 Paid sections for trucks > 12 tons costs 2–3 times more expensivethan for cars.
    • 🚛 On 560–600 km (bypass Voronezh) valid truck ban on weekends (from 8:00 to 22:00).
    • 🚛 Recreational Parking located on:
      • 📍 200 km (after Tula, free, with shower).
      • 📍 400 km (before Voronezh, paid - 300 ₽/day).
      • 📍 1,000 km (after Millerovo, with a cafe).

    ⚠️ Attention: On the site 1,100–1,150 km valid constant monitoring of tachographs. If the device is faulty or the data does not correspond to the norm, the fine is up to 50 000 ₽.

    For trucks with dangerous goods mandatory stop at 450 km (Ministry of Emergency Situations post) to check documents and markings.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the M4 Don highway

    🔹 How long does it take to travel along the M4 Don from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don?

    At medium speed 90–100 km/h and without long stops the journey takes 16–18 hours. Consider:

    • Traffic jams leaving Moscow (up to 115 km).
    • Restrictions for trucks on detours Lipetsk and Voronezh.
    • Possible delays at traffic police posts (especially at 300 km and 550 km).
    🔹 What documents are checked at traffic police posts on the M4 Don?

    At stationary posts (for example, at 175 km, 300 km, 1,100 km) check:

    • Driver's license.
    • STS and OSAGO policy.
    • For trucks: waybill, tachograph, transportation permit (if the cargo is dangerous/oversized).

    On the site 1,100–1,150 km may also require medical certificate (for truck drivers).

    🔹 Where is the best place to stay for the night?

    Recommended places to stay:

    • 🏨 200 km — hotel “Tula Trakt” (price: 1 500–2 000 ₽).
    • 🏨 360 km — hotel “Elets” (next to the gas station Rosneft).
    • 🏨 580 km — Voronezh City Hotel (paid parking for trucks).

    ⚠️ Avoid overnight stays 700–800 km — there are few illuminated parking lots, and the risk of theft is high.

    🔹 How to avoid fines for speeding?

    The following restrictions apply to the M4 Don:

    • 📏 0–115 km: 110 km/h (cameras record from +20 km/h).
    • 📏 115–560 km: 90 km/h (especially strictly on 175 km and 300 km).
    • 📏 560–1,517 km: 110 km/h, but on the bypasses of cities - 70–90 km/h.

    💡 Use apps "Yandex.Navigator" or "Radar detector" to notify about cameras.

    🔹 Which gas stations on the M4 Don accept fuel cards?

    Fuel cards (Lukoil, Gazpromneft, Rosneft) are accepted at the following gas stations:

    • ⛽ 115 km — Lukoil.
    • ⛽ 180 km — Gazpromneft.
    • ⛽ 360 km — Rosneft.
    • ⛽ 580 km — Tatneft (corporate cards only).

    At small gas stations (for example, at 420 km or 700 km) cards are not accepted.