Tales of Italian drivers are a favorite among travelers, but although Italian drivers are notorious for their daredevil road habits, they are very skillful drivers. This can lead to some spectacular near-misses that leave northern European and American drivers breathless. But driving still remains the most popular way to visit Italy.
Italian Highways and Roads
Italy’s highway system is one of the best in Europe, with over 4,000 miles of autostrade (autostrada is the singular form) connecting all major cities and borders. These are similar to Interstate Highways in the US or British Motorways, and usually charge tolls for use. These can be paid in cash, by credit card or using toll cards, which can be purchased at banks or at Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) offices.
More than 180,000 miles of secondary roads connect smaller cities and towns. Secondary roads is divided into categories: national highways (strade statali, whose numbers are prefixed with SS), provincial roads (strade provinciali) and municipal roads (strade communali). These are generally well marked at intersections.
Parking in Italy
To park in a blue zone (indicated by a line on the curb), a parking disk must be displayed on the dashboard, showing the time you left the car. If there is not one in the car, they can be obtained at tourist offices, ACI offices or gas stations. Parking in blue zones is limited to one hour unless otherwise specified. Always look for signs before leaving the car. In most places these will advise drivers of the paid parking hours (usually during normal business hours, with a break in the middle of the day). Look for a box where tickets can be purchased, inserting coins to cover the time. Take the slip of paper back to the car and leave it visible on the dashboard. Parking fines are quite onerous – in a small town they can run to 50 Euros. The good news is that they can be paid at any post office, within three days.
Italian Speed Limits
Speed limits in Italy are unevenly enforced, but it’s a good idea to follow them. In cities the speed limit is 30mph/50kph unless otherwise posted. On the open road it is 66mph/110kph and on highways it’s 81mph/130kph. If you are stopped for a traffic violation, police can collect fines on the spot. Be sure to get a receipt.
Booking.com
Rules of the Road in Italy
Traffic travels on the right and the center lane of a three-lane road is for passing. In a traffic circle (roundabout), entering vehicles must yield to those already in the circle. Use directional signals to exit the circle. Although technically the car on the right has the right-of-way in most other circumstances, this is rarely observed. In practice, the right-of-way belongs to whoever takes it.
Italian Gas (Petrol) Stations
Gas stations are usually open from 7am to 12:30pm and from 3:30pm to 7pm. Most stations are closed on Sundays. There are 24-hour stations along the autostrade. Be prepared to pay cash, and to go inside to use a credit card, which may not be accepted at the pump.
Italian Highways and Roads
Italy’s highway system is one of the best in Europe, with over 4,000 miles of autostrade (autostrada is the singular form) connecting all major cities and borders. These are similar to Interstate Highways in the US or British Motorways, and usually charge tolls for use. These can be paid in cash, by credit card or using toll cards, which can be purchased at banks or at Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) offices.
More than 180,000 miles of secondary roads connect smaller cities and towns. Secondary roads is divided into categories: national highways (strade statali, whose numbers are prefixed with SS), provincial roads (strade provinciali) and municipal roads (strade communali). These are generally well marked at intersections.
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Traffic Conditions
Italians have a high rate of car ownership, which creates considerable traffic congestion in some northern areas and around cities. Roads tend to be less crowded in southern parts of the country, and in rural areas, although on popular mountain drives they can be crowded on weekends. It is best to avoid driving in cities, especially in Milan, where the city center is divided into zones. Drivers cannot cross from one zone to another; they must return to the outer ring and go around to enter another zone. In most cities the traffic is congested and the streets narrow, making both driving and parking difficult.
Italians have a high rate of car ownership, which creates considerable traffic congestion in some northern areas and around cities. Roads tend to be less crowded in southern parts of the country, and in rural areas, although on popular mountain drives they can be crowded on weekends. It is best to avoid driving in cities, especially in Milan, where the city center is divided into zones. Drivers cannot cross from one zone to another; they must return to the outer ring and go around to enter another zone. In most cities the traffic is congested and the streets narrow, making both driving and parking difficult.
Parking in Italy
To park in a blue zone (indicated by a line on the curb), a parking disk must be displayed on the dashboard, showing the time you left the car. If there is not one in the car, they can be obtained at tourist offices, ACI offices or gas stations. Parking in blue zones is limited to one hour unless otherwise specified. Always look for signs before leaving the car. In most places these will advise drivers of the paid parking hours (usually during normal business hours, with a break in the middle of the day). Look for a box where tickets can be purchased, inserting coins to cover the time. Take the slip of paper back to the car and leave it visible on the dashboard. Parking fines are quite onerous – in a small town they can run to 50 Euros. The good news is that they can be paid at any post office, within three days.
Italian Speed Limits
Speed limits in Italy are unevenly enforced, but it’s a good idea to follow them. In cities the speed limit is 30mph/50kph unless otherwise posted. On the open road it is 66mph/110kph and on highways it’s 81mph/130kph. If you are stopped for a traffic violation, police can collect fines on the spot. Be sure to get a receipt.
Booking.com
Rules of the Road in Italy
Traffic travels on the right and the center lane of a three-lane road is for passing. In a traffic circle (roundabout), entering vehicles must yield to those already in the circle. Use directional signals to exit the circle. Although technically the car on the right has the right-of-way in most other circumstances, this is rarely observed. In practice, the right-of-way belongs to whoever takes it.
Italian Gas (Petrol) Stations
Gas stations are usually open from 7am to 12:30pm and from 3:30pm to 7pm. Most stations are closed on Sundays. There are 24-hour stations along the autostrade. Be prepared to pay cash, and to go inside to use a credit card, which may not be accepted at the pump.
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