The Iran-Erzurum-Trabzon transit route has come first among the factors that increase the economic and strategic value of Trabzon province almost in every period. Commercial goods coming from Iran were reaching Trabzon via Erzurum and Gümüşhane. The Russian occupation, the increase in vehicle traffic and severe winter conditions destroyed the well-being of the transit road, in the First World War. Nevertheless, the Erzurum-Trabzon highway, which was one of the 5 main routes in Anatolia in 1919, continued to be used for civil and military purposes. A significant part of the military materials sent from the Eastern Front to the Western Front was transported to Trabzon via that highway, during the years of the National Struggle. Passenger and freight transport was also intense. In those difficult years, the transit road also gave life to the places on its way. Being aware of the situation, the Government had taken various effective measures to keep the transit road running. Therefore, the transit route increased its vitality day by day and brought wealth and prosperity to every place it passed.

In this study, the Erzurum-Gümüşhane-Trabzon’s transit route’s condition, its traffic, importance, problems, and its solutions during the National Struggle years were demonstrated by using archive documents, newspapers, magazines, and official minutes of the period.Bu çalışmada, arşiv vesikaları, dönemin gazeteleri, dergileri, resmi tutanakları kullanılarak, Milli Mücadele yıllarında Erzurum-Gümüşhane-Trabzon yolunun durumu, trafiği, önemi, sorunları ve çözüm yolları ortaya konmuştur.