Put the car in gear and hit the open road: Italy comprises nearly 6,400km (4,000 miles) of express highways and 288,000km (180,000 miles) of secondary roads.
The country also has just about as many kinds of terrains as it does types of pasta, from flower-strewn meadows to forested valleys, lake-hugging villages to switchback-studded alpine peaks — all perfect for exploring by car.
While Italy Magazine’s team of travel writers loves a scenic train ride, relaxing ferry jaunt or budget bus adventure, the freedom that comes with your own four wheels is hard to beat. You can stop for a cool beverage at a roadside café; spend the afternoon strolling through hilltop villages; or take a hike in one of the many national or regional parks. It’s all about taking in Italy at your own pace and pleasure. Here are the essential things to know before you take off, and a few of our favorite routes — ideal for late summer road trips.
What to know before your Italian road trip
If you’re wanting to get where you’re going fast, take the autostrada (A1, A19, etc.) These are highways/tollroads that will shave off significant time to your destination thanks to their speed limits of 130km/h (80mph). Rest stops, including the famous chain Autogrill and its imitators, appear at regular intervals along the way. Pull into a clearly marked area di servizio (service area) to fill up the tank, use the “facilities,” get a jolt of espresso, or treat yourself to a well-deserved snack or full-fledged meal. The extra convenience is a big plus, but driving on these superstrade can get expensive (you pay a toll when you exit) and at times the scenery can leave a little to be desired.
For a slower, more scenic route, take the strade statali (state highways) marked by blue signs with the white letters “SS” (or SR or strade regionali) followed by a number (i.e., SS37, SR2). The speed limit is either 110km/h (70mph) or 90km/h (55mph), depending on whether you’re traveling on main roads (strade principali) or secondary roads (strade secondarie).
Along leisurely, zig-zagging backroads, the speed limit is set at 50km/h (30mph) indicated in urban areas by signs posted in white with black lettering. Be warned that you may have to circumvent hundreds of roundabouts during the journey, but once in a circle, if you happen to miss your exit, you can just go around again (à la National Lampoon’s European Vacation). Strade bianche (white roads) are unpaved, gravel country lanes found mostly in rural areas.
Whether you pile the family in the minivan, rent a convertible with a friend to share the steering, or savor the trip in solitude (radio blaring, of course), here are four classic Italian road trip itineraries for exploring some of the loveliest parts of Italy.
Strada statale 163 amalfitana: South of Naples to Salerno
One of the world’s most scenic roads, the Strada statale 163 amalfitana (SS163, or, unofficially, “Amalfi Drive”) is an exhilarating 50-kilometer (30-mile) band along the Amalfi Coast, offering a white-knuckle adventure around sharp curves with towering bluffs on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. The route is famous for its hairpin turns that seem to edge dangerously close to the cliffs (at heart-stopping elevations), dropping off to the bright-blue sea below. You’ll want to hold on tight, as the road narrows in places that seem to only have room to fit two FIAT 500s side-by-side. The route cuts through the towns of Amalfi, Positano, Praiano, Ravello and Vietri sul Mare, and is truly the drive of a lifetime.
More ideas in the Campania issue of Bellissimo Magazine
Strada Chiantigiana: From Florence to Siena
Also known as the Chianti wine road (SR222), this magnificent thoroughfare is like a painting by a Renaissance master. Carving through one of Italy’s largest wine-growing and olive oil-producing regions, the undulating hills and wide-open spaces link Florence with the city of Siena. All along the 69-kilometer (43-mile) drive, the road is dotted with picturesque borgos, towns and villages where you can stop and get a taste of Tuscany’s eternal appeal.
More ideas in the Tuscany issue of Bellissimo Magazine
The Azure Coast: From Genoa to La Spezia
Starting the trip at the eastern end of the port city of Genoa, follow SS1, which skirts the Ligurian coastline as it moves back and forth and up and down. You might like to stop about halfway in the pretty beach town of Sestri Levante where, from the city center, you can walk to Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) for a dip in the tranquil surf. Have a plate of pasta with pesto at a local trattoria before getting back in the car to head south to La Spezia, known as the gateway to Le Cinque Terre but also within reach of less-trafficked towns like Porto Venere.
More ideas in the Liguria issue of Bellissimo Magazine
Passo del Maloja: From St. Moritz to Chiavenna
For those who enjoy a driving challenge, negotiate a dozen dizzying split-level switchbacks while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of this borderland mountain passage that connects the Swiss resort town of St. Moritz with its Italian counterpart, Chiavenna. The Maloja Pass (Malojapass in German) has a steep 9% gradient extending 30km (19 miles) that reaches 1,815 meters (5,954 feet) at its highest point. Featuring jaw-dropping views of majestic alpine peaks dusted with snow year-round, the road is named Route 3 in Switzerland, but as you cross the border into Italy, it becomes SS37. Since Switzerland isn’t part of the European Union, you’ll want to have your passport or resident card ready. I was waved through at the Italian side, but the Swiss are famously sticklers. Your mileage may vary.
