Driving in Italy

The A1 motorway (known as the “Autostrada del Sole” or “Motorway of the Sun”) forms the backbone of Italy, running from Milan in the North down to the South via Rome and Naples. Motorways have tolls, so you have to collect a ticket on joining and then pay at your required exit junction.

Although some stretches of the motorways are two-lane only and can cause congestion, many have spectacular settings, with hillside tunnels and viaducts over stunning valleys. The service stations are generally good, with some having small supermarkets attached – very useful for purchasing basic provisions en-route to a self-catering property. You will also see the Italians’ favourite fast food: pizza sold by the slice (“al taglio”) accompanied by a shot of espresso.

As an alternative to the motorways, look out for the toll-free “superstrade” (S.S.). These are fast dual-carriageways.

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