The road is open: what we know after the opening
Following the opening of service on October 19, 2026, the Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi section became another travel option in the western part of Mersin province. Unlike our announcement on October 18, this article focuses on the first published traffic and fare data.
In a statement on October 17, the Turkish Ministry of Transport announced the opening of traffic on October 19 at 00:01. According to the ministry, the section includes 41 km of the main highway and 11 km of connecting roads—a total of 52 km. A report by İHA, published by SonDakika on October 20, confirms that the road is now open to traffic.
First day: 17,681 trips on İHA
According to İHA, as reprinted by SonDakika, 17,681 vehicles traveled on the section on the first day. This figure is cited in the media report; the editorial staff did not verify it against the operator's separate statistical data. It cannot be interpreted as the number of unique vehicles or carried over to a week, month, or year. Data from a single day also does not demonstrate a sustained reduction in congestion on the D400.
How much does it cost to travel from Cesmeli?
Below are KGM rates for first-class transport entering Çeşmeli. For other classes or different entry and exit times, please see the full table.
| Departure | Price |
|---|---|
| Erdemli | 90 TL |
| Guzeloluk | 105 TL |
| Erdemli West / Erdemli Batı SGS | 135 TL |
| Kumkuyu / Kumkuyu SGS | 155 TL |
| Kızkalesi - a complete plot | 220 TL |
According to the official KGM tariff table, the tariff is valid from 19 October 2026, 00:00; VAT is included. The table was last updated on 25 October. Before traveling, please check the latest version using the KGM link in the sources section below: prices are not guaranteed to remain unchanged until the end of the year.
A round-trip trip from Çeşmeli to Kızkalesi at this rate costs 440 TL. This is an editorial estimate of 220 x 2 for this section only, excluding fuel and other tolls.
What does the "18-minute" guideline mean?
The ministry claimed to have reduced the travel time between Çeşmeli and Kızkalesi to 18 minutes, compared to a trip that could take up to 2.5 hours during summer congestion. This is the ministry's benchmark, not a measured average time for all trips, nor is it a guarantee. It doesn't mean 18 minutes from central Mersin or the airport: the time on the highway includes the approach to the entrance, the route after the exit, and the current traffic conditions.
How to choose a route for your trip
- Compare the entire route on the motorway and the D400—from the departure point to the final destination. For a short local trip, a detour before and after the exit can be significant.
- Before leaving, check the accessibility of the desired entrance and exit, current restrictions, payment rules, and vehicle class. The presence of an item in the fare table does not replace checking the current traffic conditions.
- Compare the toll with the expected savings on your route. For regular trips, calculate both costs and factor in fuel separately.
- Follow road signs and current traffic announcements. Navigation estimates and initial driver reviews do not guarantee the same trip duration on your next trip.
Sources and date of verification
Information verified on October 25, 2026.
- Turkish Ministry of Transport, October 17, 2026 - Official Source: Announced start of service, length and estimated travel time.
- İHA / SonDakika, October 20, 2026 – Media report on actual traffic and number of vehicles on the first day.
- KGM: Official 2026 Fare Table (PDF) – fares, fare validity date, and VAT included.
