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Italy · Self-drive loop

Italy Grand Loop

Rome → Siena → Florence → Cinque Terre → Milan → Verona → Venice → Bologna ↺ back to start

14 days1,561 km of driving8 stops1 countryfrom $980 per person
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The route
Italy · 1,561 km · 20h 22m driving
ItalyOrvietoChianti vineyardsLuccaLake GardaFerrara1Rome2Siena3Florence4Cinque Terre5Milan6Verona7Venice8Bologna

Day-by-day itinerary

1,561 km · 20h 22m driving · round trip · 2 travelers
1
Days 1–3
Rome · Italy
Ancient ruins and the Vatican.
3 nights · stays from $75/night · Things to do in Rome →
drive·3h 6m·242 km est·$27–$60
Don't miss: Orvieto
2
Day 4
Siena · Italy
Medieval Tuscan hill town.
1 night · stays from $80/night · Things to do in Siena →
drive·1h 2m·66 km est·$7–$25
Don't miss: Chianti vineyards
3
Days 5–6
Florence · Italy
Renaissance art and Tuscan charm.
2 nights · stays from $80/night · Things to do in Florence →
drive·2h 14m·169 km est·$19–$46
Don't miss: Lucca
4
Days 7–8
Cinque Terre · Italy
Five cliffside fishing villages.
2 nights · stays from $90/night · Things to do in Cinque Terre →
drive·2h 36m·200 km est·$22–$52
5
Day 9
Milan · Italy
Fashion, the Duomo and Last Supper.
1 night · stays from $90/night · Things to do in Milan →
drive·2h 24m·183 km est·$20–$49
Don't miss: Lake Garda
6
Day 10
Verona · Italy
Roman arena and Romeo & Juliet.
1 night · stays from $80/night · Things to do in Verona →
drive·1h 50m·135 km est·$15–$39
7
Days 11–12
Venice · Italy
Canals, gondolas and St Mark's.
2 nights · stays from $95/night · Things to do in Venice →
drive·2h 15m·170 km est·$19–$46
Don't miss: Ferrara
8
Day 13
Bologna · Italy
Porticoes and Italy's food capital.
1 night · stays from $75/night · Things to do in Bologna →
back to Rome·4h 55m·396 km est·$44–$91

Know before you drive

Drive on the
right side
Transmission
Most rental cars are manual (stick shift), automatics cost more and sell out, so book early
Car for your group
compact car, A compact car is plenty
Tolls & vignettes
Autostrada tolls (pay-as-you-go) + city ZTL zones
Money
Euro (€)
Driving licence
Non-EU drivers (incl. US) need an International Driving Permit + home licence
Minimum age
Rentals are usually 21+; drivers under 25 pay a young-driver fee (~$15–30/day)
Deposit
You need a credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit
Best season
Year-round; some Alpine passes seasonal
Good to know
Avoid ZTL camera zones in historic centres, park outside and walk in

When to go

Best months: Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct
Summer
Hot 28–35°C, busy & priciest Jul–Aug
Winter
Mild south, cold north (3–12°C)
Spring & autumn
Warm days, thinner crowds, lower prices

What to pack

Italy essentials
  • Comfy shoes for cobblestones
  • Modest cover-up for churches (shoulders & knees)
  • Refillable bottle for free fountains
  • Sun hat & SPF in summer
Backpacker extras
  • Packing cubes & a padlock for hostels
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Power bank
Driving documents
  • Driving licence + International Driving Permit
  • Credit card for the car deposit
  • Phone mount & car charger
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Itinerary planned on jetlygo.com · https://jetlygo.com/road-trips/italy-grand-loop-14-day-self-drive-itinerary-1h21a