Mari El

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Mari El
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Information
Country:	Russia
State:	Mari El
Major roads:	A295, R176, R177
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Mari El (Russian: Республика Марий Эл) is a republic in the eastern part of European Russia.

• In the north and east, it borders Kirov Oblast; in the southeast, the Republic of Tatarstan; in the southwest, the Republic of Chuvashia; in the west, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.
• The capital is the city of Yoshkar-Ola.
• Region code - 12

Hitchhiking out

• The key road is the A295 Kazan – Zelenodolsk – Yoshkar-Ola, suitable to cross the republic from its capital and enter neighboring Tatarstan. The second most important road is the R176, connecting Yoshkar-Ola and Cheboksary via a bridge across the Volga River. A295 is a well-researched, civilized, and well-lit highway suitable for hitchhiking at any time of day. Key positions along the route: Kokshaiskiy Ring, Kozhlasola (Krasnogorsk), Ilet, Yalchik, Pomary. Avoid the turn towards Zvenigovo, as there are no good hitchhiking spots there! If you end up near the Zvenigovo turn, move on by any means to a better hitchhiking position.
• The starting point when leaving the M-7 is right after the interchange; catch a car there to your desired destination: Suslonger, Shelangar, or Yoshkar-Ola.
• The road to Cheboksary is noticeably quieter and slower. You might only find yourself there by chance if your driver on the M-7 is heading through Cheboksary to Yoshkar-Ola. If you choose to go to Yoshkar-Ola, stick to this decision and avoid getting off halfway on the R176, as the chance of getting stuck there is high.
• The Kazan–Yoshkar-Ola railway is not practical for free travelers; it is served by only two long-distance trains and infrequent local trains.

East towards Kazan

Option 1 - A295 Highway from Yoshkar-Ola

Key positions: Kokshaiskiy Ring, Kozhlasola (Krasnogorsk), Ilet, Yalchik, Pomary.

Places to avoid

Avoid the area near the turn to Zvenigovo on the A295; there are no good hitchhiking spots.

Other useful info

• State Nature Reserve "Bolshaya Kokshaga"