Traveling by car means much more freedom than using public transport, because only you decide when and where you go. At the same time, the car imposes certain restrictions, because you need to take care of it, have all the necessary documents with you, refuel it regularly, think about where to park.
Preparation
Since traveling by car means moving on the ground, most often the inhabitants of Russia travel abroad to Europe or the countries of the former USSR. If with the last option everything is relatively simple, and the features of the roads and the driving style there differ little from the Russian ones, then some additional preparation is needed to travel to Europe.
Take care of the documents, you will need: an international driver's license, insurance and vehicle registration certificate (car registration certificate). If the car is not in your personal property, then you need to make a power of attorney certified by a notary with a note "with the right to leave the Russian Federation." It is important that the car itself looks good. For example, in some countries you may not be allowed in if there are dents somewhere, paint stripped or tinted glass.
Europe needs a special insurance: the so-called "green card" or green card. This is the European analogue of OSAGO. It is important to know that the vehicle itself is insured, regardless of who is driving. If you already have a CASCO policy, then you can try to negotiate with an insurance agent to expand it to the required countries.
Border crossing
When crossing the border, it is very important to enter the car correctly in the customs declaration. If you do not, you may be asked to pay customs duties when you return, as you will have no proof that the car was not purchased by you abroad and that you drove it out. Two copies of the declaration are filled in, one of them must be returned to you with a seal. Please save this document as it cannot be recovered. The person whose name is entered in the customs declaration must return by car.
Costs
The main expenses when traveling by car (in addition to your usual travel expenses) will be fuel, toll roads and parking.
Fuel prices differ in all countries, the spread can sometimes exceed 50% of the cost in Russia. It is recommended that you try to figure it out in advance and refuel in expensive countries as little as possible if possible.
Toll roads are most often found in Europe. If you are traveling by rented car, you will notice that America and America are replete with toll highways. Toll road prices also vary quite a bit. As a rule, there is a similar toll road, but a free road with some restrictions (the quality of the coverage is worse, the speed is lower). In some countries, there is also a road tax.
Parking can be a significant expense if you travel around cities and leave your car downtown. You can park your car for free near some hotels and shopping centers, sometimes free time is limited. Park strictly according to the markings, otherwise you risk getting fines, and they are very high in some countries.
