Drivers AtlasThe world's best roads

Seven days · Italy

Seven days driving in Italy

Dolomite passes in the north, Tuscan ridges in the middle, cliff roads in the south.

A week is enough to link two regions or to loop one properly with two nights in the best base. Keep at least one rest day in the plan.

Days

7 days, 6 nights

Rough distance

1391.9 mi

Daily average

198.8 mi

Best months

May to June and September to October

Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk

Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Daily distances are set for enjoyable driving rather than maximum ground covered. How we score roads.

Last reviewed 1 May 2026

Day by day

How the trip breaks up

Day 1

Passo dello Stelvio and Amalfi Coast Road

  • Passo dello Stelvio · 30.4 mi · 9.9 / 10. Eighty four hairpins stacked above the treeline make this Europe's most theatrical mountain pass.
  • Amalfi Coast Road · 31.1 mi · 9.7 / 10. A cliffside ribbon of hairpins clinging above turquoise water and pastel towns.

About 198.8 mi and 6 hr 15 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 2

Passo di Gavia and Passo Sella

  • Passo di Gavia · 19.3 mi · 9.6 / 10. A narrow, unguarded ribbon past Lago Nero that feels wilder than its famous neighbour.
  • Passo Sella · 6.8 mi · 9.6 / 10. Sheer Dolomite towers on both sides make this short link one of the world's great scenic drives.

About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 17 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 3

Passo Giau and Passo Pordoi

  • Passo Giau · 10.6 mi · 9.6 / 10. Twenty nine hairpins climb to a wide open saddle ringed by the jagged Cinque Torri.
  • Passo Pordoi · 8.1 mi · 9.5 / 10. Twenty eight numbered hairpins climb to the highest paved point of the Dolomites road network.

About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 5 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 4

Passo Gardena and Strada della Forra

  • Passo Gardena · 7.5 mi · 9.3 / 10. Limestone spires of the Sella group frame every one of this pass's flowing bends.
  • Strada della Forra · 4.3 mi · 9.2 / 10. A tunnel like gorge road carved into rock above Lake Garda, once called the world's best road.

About 198.8 mi and 4 hr 54 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 5

Colle delle Finestre and Passo dell'Umbrail

  • Colle delle Finestre · 11.8 mi · 9.1 / 10. A gravel topped final stretch of tight hairpins made famous by the Giro d'Italia.
  • Passo dell'Umbrail · 9.3 mi · 9 / 10. Switzerland's link into the Stelvio is a quieter alternative with the same drama.

About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 4 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 6

Colle dell'Agnello and Passo Campolongo

  • Colle dell'Agnello · 12.4 mi · 9 / 10. One of the Alps' highest paved passes, remote and narrow near the French border.
  • Passo Campolongo · 3.7 mi · 8.9 / 10. The gentlest of the Sella Ronda passes but with knockout views of the Sella massif.

About 198.8 mi and 4 hr 52 min behind the wheel including transit.

Day 7

Chianti Classico Road and Passo del Mortirolo

  • Chianti Classico Road · 28 mi · 8.9 / 10. Rolling cypress lined curves through vineyards link two of Tuscany's finest cities.
  • Passo del Mortirolo · 7.8 mi · 8.7 / 10. Cycling's cruellest climb doubles as a brutally steep, tightly hairpinned driving test.

About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 16 min behind the wheel including transit.

Practical

Where to start and what it costs

Base yourself

Bolzano, Florence or Amalfi

Nights to book

6 nights. On anything longer than five days, book two nights in the best base rather than moving hotel every evening.

Fuel and tolls

Budget for roughly 1391.9 miles of driving plus any vignettes or tunnel fees for the countries you cross.

Other lengths

More time, or less, in Italy