Driving from Florence to Rome: what to see on a road trip
If you are planning to visit both Florence and Rome, a good idea is to rent a car, take a road trip and stop to visit other beautiful small towns and villages. Tuscany and Lazio are regions full of gorgeous places to visit, charming ancient villages and beautiful Italian countryside landscapes. So I put together my tips on what to see between Florence and Rome on a road trip. They are places I know well and have visited often… I hope you’ll find it useful for planning your travel!
In case you don’t want to drive, here you can find all the information you’ll need to get from Rome to Florence by train (and vice versa).
What to see driving from Florence to Rome
I have listed the places to visit along the route in order from Florence to Rome, of course these tips also apply if you want to take the opposite route. The road will cross three different italian regions: Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio.
Since you’ll be starting from Florence (or you’ll end your road trip there), some tips about parking in Florence might be helpful.
Arezzo
A lovely medieval town in the heart of Tuscany, Arezzo is famous for Piero della Francesca’s Renaissance frescoes in the Cathedral and in the San Domenico church. But also for its antiques market (every first Sunday of the month) and shops. Don’t miss its beautiful Piazza Grande, with stone buildings covered with coats of arms, and the panoramic view from the Medici Fortress.
Arezzo is definitely one of my favorite destinations for a Sunday day trip by train.
Siena
Siena is one of the most beautiful and rich in history cities of Tuscany, almost unmissable. I love the ancient Piazza del Campo, with its Gothic town hall and the Torre del Mangia. Not to mention the splendid cathedral, and the historic center made up of characteristic alleys. Art lovers will find museums and churches full of medieval and Renaissance art, while foodies can enjoy the excellent local cuisine.
Siena is a small city and is totally walkable, but is so packed with things to see and do, that you can easily spend two ore three days there. In case you need a place to stay, last time I was in Siena I stayed in this hotel and I loved it!
Cortona
Nestled in the Val di Chiana valley, Cortona is a very characteristic medieval village, made famous by the novel Under the Tuscan Sun. Here you can visit the Etruscan museum, ancient monasteries in the countryside and take walks in the historic center. The Etruscan museum is really interesting, if you want to know more about the Etruscan Civilization also check the Etruscan museum in Viterbo (it’s one of the next stops that you’ll find below).
Cortona is also famous for its great food and extra virgin olive oil, one of the best ones in Italy. In November there is also an important olive oil festival.
Montepulciano
Known for its noble wine (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano), this medieval village nestled on the top of a hill is surrounded by vineyards. You can enjoy the view of the village and the Tuscan countryside from the top of the Palazzo Comunale tower.
This is the perfect stop for wine lovers on a road trip between Florence and Rome, as Montepulciano wine is definitely one of the best ones not just in Tuscany, but in the whole Italy. You can also take a wine tasting tour in Montepulciano, inside the ancient cellars where its great wine is aged.
Perugia
Leaving Tuscany behind and entering in the region of Umbria, the green heart of Italy.
Perugia is the capital of Umbria, but it is also the Italian capital of chocolate (yes, Perugina chocolate and Baci were born here)! Apart from that, Perugia is a beautiful medieval town set on a hill and still surrounded by ancient walls.
Do not miss the Fontana Maggiore, a marble fountain decorated with zodiac signs, a masterpiece of medieval sculpture. And then the Gothic cathedral and the Palazzo dei Priori with its art collection. This is one of the best places to visit between Florence and Rome.
What about a food tour in Perugia (including wine and chocolate)?
Orvieto
Orvieto is one of my favorite villages, a medieval town perched on a rocky spur, with an Etruscan past that can be discovered underground. The Duomo of Orvieto is one of the most beautiful gothic churches in Italy: don’t miss the chance to see to the Corporale and San Brizio chapels. The Torre del Moro tower is the perfect place from which to enjoy the panoramic view. Don’t forget to visit the famous and suggestive St. Patrick’s Well!
- Check Altarocca Wine Resort in Orvieto for a great agriturismo with vineyards and wine tasting experiences.
Viterbo
You’ll now leave Umbria to enter into the region of Lazio.
Viterbo was the seat of the papacy for over twenty years during the 1200s, and is still today is a medieval gem to see between Rome and Florence. The historic center is one of the most intact in Europe, with the ancient Palazzo dei Papi, the cathedral and the Rocca square.
For archeology lovers, I recommend visiting the National Etruscan Museum, where you’ll learn more about the Etruscan Civilization, which populated the regions of Tuscany and Lazio before the Romans.
- When I visited Orvieto I spent one night at Torre di Vico, a 12th century tower with gorgeous rooms.
Civita di Bagnoregio
Civita di Bagnoregio is known as the dying city. It’s an ancient village build on the soft and friable local rock, tufo, that is literally crumbling due to erosion. Today there are only 11 people still living in Civita di Bagnoregio, and the only access to the town is through a bridge. Don’t miss the chance to see this Italian ghost town before it’s gone!
To visit Civita di Bagnoregio you must leave your car in the car park at the foot of the hill. The whole village is a pedestrian only area. There is a ticket entrance to the village (5 euro) that must be paid between 8 am and 8 pm. The access before and after that time is free.
Since all the roads lead to Rome… Driving from Florence, we have now arrived in Rome and it is time to visit the capital! My best piece of advice is to drop your car in Rome and move around with public transportation. Even if the metro and buses are a nightmare, driving in Rome is an even worse nightmare.
Tips for a road trip from Florence to Rome
Here are some general recommendation to better organize your road trip in Italy. If you have any other useful tips to share, leave a comment below!
How long does it takes to drive from Florence to Rome?
Without making any stops it takes about 3 hours by car to go from Florence to Rome (and vice versa), using the A1 Autostrada (highway). But in the event of traffic jams, road works or traffic accidents it may take longer, so be prepared for the unexpected.
Is the drive pretty or scenic?
The highway itself offers some really pretty views of the landscape of Tuscany and Lazio. But each stop along the way means leaving the highway and taking secondary roads, and that’s where you will really enjoy the most scenic views of the Italian countryside.
Is it difficult to drive from Florence to Rome?
Driving on the highway is very easy: there are 3 lanes, speed limit is 130 km/h and you’ll find many gas stations, rest stop and service areas. Driving on secondary roads in the countryside is as easy as well, there is usually not much traffic and speed limits are quite low (50-70 km/h).
Instead driving in big cities like Florence and Rome can be very challenging, because of narrow roads, traffic jams, traffic limited areas and lack of parking places. I don’t recommend that, unless you’re brave or really used to drive in Italian cities.
Rental car for a road trip from Florence to Rome
To find a rental car at the cheapest price, I recommend using Booking.com, a price comparator of the major car rental companies, which helps you find the right car for you at the best price. I am regularly using it also for my own trips.
How many stops along the way?
This mainly depends on how many days you want to dedicate to the road trip. If you want to get from Florence to Rome in one day, you will only have time to make one or two quick stops. But you can think of spending one or more nights along the way, and add other stops to the journey.
I hope this post was useful for you to organize your road trip in Italy, and decide what to see between Florence and Rome. Let me know which stops you will make by leaving me a comment!