A road trip through Italy is one of the most beautiful journeys you can take in Europe – and you don’t even need to fly. We’ve travelled Italy multiple times by car and campervan, most recently in October 2025, and we always come back inspired. The landscape is incredibly diverse: dramatic mountain scenery in the Dolomites to the north, charming lakeside villages around Lake Garda, stunning island scenery on Sardinia and the famous rolling hills of Tuscany.
Here are our favourite Italy road trip itineraries for 1–3 weeks – whether you’re planning an Italy road trip for 2 weeks by car, a 3-week self-drive Italy itinerary or a campervan trip through Italy, we have the right route for every travel style and budget.
Last updated: May 2026
Italy Road Trip – Key Facts
Best time to visit: April–June & September–OctoberGetting there: Drive, or fly to Bolzano/Florence + rental car
Language: Italian (South Tyrol: also German)
Currency: Euro – card payments accepted almost everywhere
Our Routes
Dolomites Road Trip – 7 days / 381 kmLake Garda Road Trip – 7 days / 159 km
Tuscany Road Trip – 7–10 days / 302 km
Italy complete – 3 weeks / 1,028 km
Driving in Italy – Essential Tips for Your Road Trip
A few important things to know before you set off on your Italy self-drive adventure:
Getting to Italy
From Germany or the Netherlands, Italy is surprisingly easy to reach by car. From southern Germany you’ll be crossing the border into South Tyrol within a few hours – and the scenery starts immediately. If you’re flying, the best entry points for a northern Italy road trip are Bolzano or Florence, where you can pick up a rental car directly at the airport.
Parking and Getting Around Italy by Car
For an Italy road trip, you’ll want your own car, a rental car* or a campervan. Even on rougher roads, a small car is perfectly sufficient and makes parking in towns much easier.
Don’t skimp on insurance – parking in Italy is tight and minor scrapes are common. A fully comprehensive policy with no excess will save you a lot of stress. Also check whether your policy covers ZTL fines – most don’t.
We always book through billiger-mietwagen* – good reviews, easy to compare insurance packages and free cancellation if plans change.
Road conditions in northern Italy are generally good. Tuscany is a different story – some roads are genuinely rough, especially the smaller country lanes. That said, even a small car or campervan handles them fine.
ZTL Zones – Traffic Restrictions in Italian City Centres
Almost every Italian city centre has a ZTL zone (Zona a Traffico Limitato) – areas that tourists are not permitted to drive into. Cameras automatically record your number plate and fines (typically €100–200) arrive by post weeks later.
Exception: if your hotel is inside the ZTL, they can register your vehicle with the local authority – but you need to ask them to do this in advance. Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze don’t always warn you reliably about ZTL zones. Best to check before you drive whether your destination is inside one.
A useful overview of Italian ZTL zones can be found via the ADAC Italy travel guide.
Motorway Tolls and Speed Limits in Italy
Most Italian motorways are toll roads – you take a ticket on entry and pay based on distance at the exit. As a rough guide: around €10 per 100 km for a standard car. Specific examples: Brenner to Lake Garda approx. €15, Brenner to Rome approx. €60. Payment by cash, credit card or electronic toll box (Telepass). An ADAC toll box also works on Italian motorways.
Important for 2026: The Luegbrücke on the Brenner route has been under construction since January 2025 and works are expected to continue until 2030. Allow extra time or use an alternative route.
Speed limits: 130 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on country roads, 50 km/h in built-up areas. In rain, the motorway limit drops to 110 km/h.
Current toll rates at autostrade.it.
Italy Campervan Road Trip
We’ve done several of our Italy trips in our campervan Bruno and can absolutely recommend a campervan route through Italy. Wild camping is technically illegal in Italy but widely tolerated. Apps like Park4Night have an enormous number of free spots – we even found great central parking in Florence, which genuinely surprised us.
There are also plenty of well-priced campsites giving you lots of overnight options. The main challenge with longer campervans (over 6 metres) is finding space in city centres – parking a bit further out usually solves it.
Important note for motorhome travellers: Italy has daily driving restrictions for motorhomes on many main roads (6:30am–midnight) with additional alternating restrictions from April to October (10:00am–6:00pm). Check which routes are affected before you travel – e.g. via the ADAC.
Best Time for an Italy Road Trip by Car
The best times are spring (April–June) and late summer/autumn (September–October). We’ve travelled Italy in May, November and most recently in October 2025 – and can warmly recommend autumn: Tuscany glows in gold, the crowds thin out and temperatures are perfect for walking and exploring. May gives you lush green landscapes and pre-summer quiet.
Avoid July and August if you can – cities like Rome, Florence, the Tuscan highlights and Lake Garda get extremely busy.
If summer is your only option: book your rental car and hotels well in advance – availability drops and prices rise sharply.
Cost guide for shoulder season (May, June, September, October): approx. €80–120 per night for a decent 3–4 star hotel, €15–25 per person for a restaurant meal and €15–45 for attraction entry. All prices are noticeably higher in peak summer.
Currency
Italy uses the Euro. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere. It’s still worth keeping a small amount of cash on hand for rural areas, parking meters and smaller cafés.
Language
Italian is spoken throughout the country. In South Tyrol in the far north, German is also widely spoken. In tourist areas across the country, English is generally understood.
Italy Road Trip Itinerary – Our Routes for 1–3 Weeks by Car
Italy is an incredibly varied country – no two regions feel alike. From the dramatic mountain scenery of the Dolomites to the lakeside charm of Garda, the world-famous Tuscan hills or the island landscapes of Sardinia, there is simply a huge amount to discover on an Italy self-drive holiday.
Here are our routes to inspire your planning.
Dolomites Road Trip – 7 Days
If you love dramatic mountain scenery and enjoy hiking, a Dolomites road trip is the perfect choice. In 7 days you’ll discover spectacular viewpoints, mountain hikes and winding pass roads in one of the most beautiful regions in Italy.
Route Facts
Duration: 7 daysDistance: 381 km
Best time: Summer (June–September)
Full itinerary: Our travel guide
7-Day Route Overview
| Reisetag | Route / Highlight | Kilometer / Fahrtzeit |
|---|---|---|
| Tag 1 | Pragser Wildsee | 100 km / 1,75 Stunden |
| Tag 2 | Drei Zinnen | 93 km / 2,25 Stunden |
| Tag 3 | Sorapissee | 14 km / 0,5 Stunde |
| Tag 4 | Wolkenstein in Gröden | 91 km / 2,5 Stunden |
| Tag 5 | Seceda | 10 km / 0,25 Stunden |
| Tag 6 | Seiser Alm | 30 km / 0,75 Stunden |
| Tag 7 | Bozen | 43 km / 1 Stunde |
Our 7-day route takes you through the most spectacular corners of the Dolomites, with some of the best hikes in northern Italy.
Want the full details of our 7-day Dolomites road trip?
7-Day Dolomites Road Trip | Full Guide
Lake Garda Road Trip – 7 Days
Alongside the mountains of the Dolomites, northern Italy has another famous region you can explore in a week. Lake Garda is one of Italy’s most popular destinations, with charming lakeside villages, great water sports and beautiful hiking.
Route Facts
Duration: 7 days
Distance: 159 km
Best time: Summer (June–August) or shoulder season (April–May, Sept–Oct)
Full itinerary: Our travel guide
Hiking Trail at Lake Garda
7-Day Route Overview
| Reisetag | Route / Highlight | Kilometer / Fahrtzeit |
|---|---|---|
| Tag 1 | Riva del Garda | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 2 | Limone sul Garda + Toscolano Maderno | 36 km / 0,75 Stunden |
| Tag 3 | Toscolano Maderno | 0 km / 0 Stunde |
| Tag 4 | Sirmione | 40 km / 1 Stunden |
| Tag 5 | Lazise + Rocca di Garda | 40 km / 0,75 Stunden |
| Tag 6 | Malcesine | 29 km / 0,5 Stunden |
| Tag 7 | Torbole | 14 km / 0,25 Stunde |
Want the full details of our 7-day Lake Garda road trip?
7-Day Lake Garda Road Trip | Full Guide
Sardinia Road Trip – 7 Days
For a beach holiday combined with island exploration, Sardinia is the perfect destination. The sea along the Sardinian coast glows in the most beautiful shades of turquoise. Add stunning hikes, charming towns and breathtaking beaches and you have one of Italy’s most rewarding self-drive destinations.
Getting there: Sardinia is only accessible by ferry or plane. Ferry connections run from Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia (Rome) and Piombino – crossings take 6–12 hours depending on the route. From Rome (Civitavecchia) to Olbia takes approx. 5.5 hours by day, 7–8 hours overnight. Book well in advance in summer. Tickets at Direct Ferries*.
Route Facts
Duration: 7 days
Distance: 568 km
Best time: Summer (June–August) or shoulder season (April–May, Sept–Oct)
Full itinerary: Our travel guide
Route Highlights
Pula
Cala Gonone
Gola di Goruppu
Grotta del Bue Marino
Flamingos
7-Day Route Overview
| Reisetag | Route / Highlight | Kilometer / Fahrtzeit |
|---|---|---|
| Tag 1 | Cagliari nach Pula | 35 km / 0,75 Stunden |
| Tag 2 | Chia | 19 km / 0,5 Stunden |
| Tag 3 | Sant Antiocco | 63 km / 1,25 Stunde |
| Tag 4 | Grotta di su Mannau und Cala Gonone | 270 km / 4,25 Stunden |
| Tag 5 | Gola di Goruppu | 17 km / 0,5 Stunden |
| Tag 6 | Cala Gonone | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 7 | Villasimius | 167 km / 2,75 Stunde |
Want the full details of our 7-day Sardinia road trip?
7-Day Sardinia Road Trip | Full Guide
Tuscany Road Trip – 7–10 Days
Tuscany is one of Italy’s most beautiful and iconic regions. Everyone has an image in their mind: winding roads lined with tall cypress trees, rolling hills covered in olive groves and vineyards, and magnificent cities like Florence and Siena.
Route Facts
Duration: 7–10 days
Distance: 302 km
Best time: Summer (June–Aug) or shoulder season (April–May, Sept–Oct)
Full itinerary: Our travel guide
7–10 Day Route Overview
| Reisetag | Route / Highlight | Kilometer / Fahrtzeit |
|---|---|---|
| Tag 1 | Pisa | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 2 | Florenz | 88 km / 1,15 Stunden |
| Tag 3 | Florenz | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 4 | Siena | 78 km / 1 Stunde |
| Tag 5 | Val d'Orcia | 50 km / 1 Stunde |
| Tag 6 | Val d'Orcia | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 7 | Thermalbäder | 86 km / 1,75 Stunde |
Want the full details of our 7–10 day Tuscany road trip?
7–10 Day Tuscany Road Trip | Full Guide
Italy Road Trip Itinerary 2 Weeks – Northern Italy
A two-week Italy road trip in the north is perfect for experiencing the country’s variety. Our northern Italy itinerary takes you through the Dolomites and the charming lakeside villages of Lake Garda – two completely different regions just a few hours apart.
Route Facts
Duration: 14 days
Distance: 709 km
Best time: Summer (June–September)
Full itinerary: Our travel guide
2-Week Route Overview
| Reisetag | Route / Highlight | Kilometer / Fahrtzeit |
|---|---|---|
| Tag 1 | Anreise ab Grenze über Pragser Wildsee bis Drei Zinnen NP | 115 km / 2 Stunden |
| Tag 2 | Drei Zinnen und Cadini Gruppe | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 3 | Sorapissee | 8 km / 0,25 Stunden |
| Tag 4 | Anfahrt Wolkenstein in Gröden | 75 km / 2 Stunden |
| Tag 5 | Seceda Wanderung | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 6 | Seiser Alm | 30 km / 0,75 Stunden |
| Tag 7 | Anfahrt Gardasee | 150 km / 2 Stunden |
| Tag 8 | Riva del Garda | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 9 | Limone und Anfahrt Toscolano Maderno | 40 km / 0,75 Stunden |
| Tag 10 | Toscolano Maderno | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 11 | Sirmione | 40 km / 1 Stunde |
| Tag 12 | Lazise | 25 km / 0,5 Stunden |
| Tag 13 | Malcesine | 36 km / 1 Stunde |
| Tag 14 | Rückfahrt bis Grenze Deutschland | 190 km / 2,5 Stunden |
Want the full details of our 14-day northern Italy road trip?
14-Day Northern Italy Road Trip | Full Guide
Italy Road Trip 3 Weeks – Dolomites, Lake Garda & Tuscany
With three weeks you can explore Italy from the Dolomites in the north all the way down to Tuscany, covering three completely different regions that each feel like a mini-holiday in their own right.
Route Facts
Duration: 14–16 days
Distance: 1,028 km
Best time: Summer (June–September)
Full itinerary: Our travel guide
3-Week Route Overview
| Reisetag | Route / Highlight | Kilometer / Fahrtzeit |
|---|---|---|
| Tag 1 | Anreise ab Grenze über Pragser Wildsee bis Drei Zinnen NP | 115 km / 2 Stunden |
| Tag 2 | Drei Zinnen und Cadini Gruppe | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 3 | Sorapissee | 8 km / 0,25 Stunden |
| Tag 4 | Anfahrt Wolkenstein in Gröden | 75 km / 2 Stunden |
| Tag 5 | Seceda Wanderung | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 6 | Seiser Alm | 30 km / 0,75 Stunden |
| Tag 7 | Anfahrt Gardasee | 150 km / 2 Stunden |
| Tag 8 | Riva del Garda | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 9 | Limone und Anfahrt Toscolano Maderno | 40 km / 0,75 Stunden |
| Tag 10 | Toscolano Maderno | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 11 | Sirmione | 40 km / 1 Stunde |
| Tag 12 | Anfahrt Toskana bis Florenz | 370 km / 3 Stunden |
| Tag 13-15 | Florenz | 0 km / 0 Stunden |
| Tag 16 | Siena | 80 km / 1,25 Stunden |
| Tag 17-19 | Val D`Orcia | 50 km / 1 Stunde |
| Tag 20 | Thermalquelle Saturnia | 70 km / 1,5 Stunden |
Want the full details of our 3-week Italy road trip?
3-Week Italy Road Trip | Full Guide
More Highlights for Your Italy Road Trip
Beyond our main routes, here are a few more regions well worth including:
Lago Maggiore – Less visited than Lake Garda but just as beautiful. Nestled between Piedmont and Lombardy, Lago Maggiore offers lovely Art Deco towns like Stresa and the famous Borromean Islands. An ideal, quieter starting point for a northern Italy road trip.
Bologna – Italy’s food capital is a must for anyone who loves to eat. This is where Bolognese sauce, Parmesan and Mortadella originate. Bologna also has one of Italy’s most lively nightlife scenes and over 40 kilometres of arcades running through the city. A perfect stop between Lake Garda and Florence.
Amalfi Coast – If you have time after Tuscany, continue south via Rome and Naples to the Amalfi Coast. Positano, Ravello and Sorrento are among the most beautiful coastal spots in Europe. The road is narrow and winding – allow plenty of time and avoid July and August.
Frequently Asked Questions about Italy Road Trips by Car
How many weeks do you need for an Italy road trip?
For a single region like Tuscany or the Dolomites, 7–10 days is plenty. Combining two regions (e.g. Dolomites + Lake Garda) works well in 2 weeks. For a comprehensive road trip covering northern and central Italy, 3 weeks is ideal.
Which is the best Italy road trip route for first-timers?
We’d recommend the northern Italy 2-week itinerary: Dolomites + Lake Garda. It combines spectacular mountain scenery with classic Italian lakeside charm, is easy to drive and offers a perfect mix of nature and culture.
How much does an Italy road trip cost?
In shoulder season as a rough guide: approx. €80–120 per night for a decent hotel, €15–25 per person for a meal out, €15–45 for major attractions and €10–15 per 100 km in motorway tolls. A campervan significantly reduces accommodation costs.
Are there driving restrictions for tourists in Italy?
Yes – ZTL zones in city centres are off-limits for tourists. Cameras record number plates automatically and fines arrive by post. Your hotel can register your vehicle if it’s inside a ZTL – ask them in advance. Always check whether your destination is inside a ZTL zone before driving in.