After the signing of the Treaty of Georgievsk in 1783, which established Russia's protectorate over Kartli-Kakheti, Russian-Georgian relations significantly intensified. In the Ingush village of Zaur-Kov, the fortress of Vladikavkaz was built. The Military-Georgian Road began at the Yekaterinogradskaya stanitsa, which was a city at that time. This road was the only transport route between the two countries. The modern name "Military-Georgian" was established after the reconstruction carried out by the Russian military department under the leadership of Pavel Tsitsianov in 1803.

Regular traffic on the road was opened in 1799, but the journey remained difficult. That year, a detachment of the Russian army, commanded by General Lazarev, arrived in Kartli-Kakheti after 36 days. After Kartli-Kakheti became part of Russia in 1801, the construction of a new, improved Military-Georgian Road began. In 1811, the road came under the control of the Russian Transport Administration, and large-scale works were carried out: slopes were removed, cornices were created, excavations were made, bridges were built, embankments were constructed, as well as dams and retaining walls, and covered trenches to prevent landslides. In 1814, carriage traffic was opened, and from 1827, express mail began to operate.

Eleven stations were organized along the road, starting from Vladikavkaz: Balta, Lars, Kazbek, Kobi, Gudauri, Mleti, Pasanauri, Ananuri, Dusheti, Tskhaltubo, Mtskheta, and further to Tiflis. Each station had facilities for free overnight accommodation.

In 1837, an attempt was made to change the route, bypassing the Cross Pass through the Gudamakari and Gudushauri gorges and the Kvenatski Pass. However, ten years later, in 1847, after conducted studies, it was decided to return to the original route.