When you think about driving in Europe, you might picture tiny cars zipping down narrow medieval streets, scooters weaving in and out, and a slightly chaotic parking situation. But Europe is also covered with interstate highways, joining cities and even countries together seamlessly and making road trips highly enjoyable. Many of these roads are strikingly similar to those in the U.S., including in Italy, according to travel influencer Rick Steves: “Italy’s expressway system, the autostrada, is as good as our interstate system”.
The autostrade will take you from the towering peaks of the Dolomites in Italy’s north to the sun-kissed beaches at the tip of its boot. They even travel across the straits into Sicily, where Steves believes you’ll find Italy’s best food. But these roads come with a catch. Italy’s 36 freeways are all toll roads, so to use them, you’ll have to pay.
Paying for the Italian Autostrade
Should you take or avoid the interstate in Italy?
You can avoid toll roads in Italy, but your journey will almost always take significantly longer. That 3-hour journey on the interstate from Venice to Florence becomes a 5-hour drive on non-toll roads. The same goes for the Florence to Rome leg — expect it to take an extra couple of hours.
Aside from speed, the autostrade also comes with unexpected perks: Steves loves the roadside Autogrill restaurants, where he says you can find great food and excellent coffee. It’s also worth bearing in mind that non-toll roads aren’t necessarily the more scenic route in Italy — the autostrade often offers views of rolling hills, vineyards, and mountain peaks as you cruise, just as ordinary roads do. Of course, you might pick a route in Italy particularly for its beauty, like the awe-inspiring mountain pass through the Dolomites or the world-renowned drive along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. However, when traveling between cities, the tolls on the interstate are often worth it for travelers.
