Day trip Cinque Terre from Tuscany near Siena

What time of year and how early do you plan to leave and how late will you be there?

Had you considered taking the train and not be bothered with parking a car?

Only you can decide if something is worth the hassle, time, expense or whatever the "cost" is versus the experience.

Personally I think quaint and charming places are hard to appreciate and really enjoy with a ticking clock on the experience. When the experience is just to wander and explore, walk a trail or other low key activity will you fully enjoy it knowing your time is limited and you have 3 hours of getting back afterwards?

My personal limited on day trips is about 1.5 hours each way for this reason. But I'd bend that rule depending on what the trip is for and what I might get to see or experience.

Make hard choices is part of the reality or travel planning.

Have a great trip!
=Tod

Does it seem crazy to drive 3 hours each way to see it just for the day?

Yes, IMHO.

Lots of drive time. You would most likely park in La Spezia then train to CT from there. Plan on understanding how sardines must feel in a can for the trains in CT.

I wouldn't want to do it, with a clock ticking on my time there (and THEN a 3 hour drive back). I want to ask if you could spend at least 1 night there, but that is awful logistically as well, so can you do 2? Its an economic choice, where do you want to spend your valuable time?

Thanks for everyone’s responses. We will be there in mid May so not peak season yet. It’s me and my daughter (22). I think we might spend one night if I can find a fairly cheap place so we aren’t as rushed. Thanks for the advice!

If you must visit, then visit it.
The fastest option is probably drive and park at the La Spezia station Parking Structure. From near Siena the train entails too many changes (Empoli, Pisa, La Spezia).