Driving from Lucca to Milan?

That's what I'd do for sure, the bus is just about 5E and a cab would be about 40. The drive is no problem. You can avoid the Florence and Bologna metro areas and have the prettiest and easiest drive by going west from Lucca on the A11, north at Viareggio on the A12 past the marble mountains of Carrara to the A15 and then up the Magra river valley and over the historic Cisa Pass to join the A1 near Parma. In case you have some extra time, the historic center of Pontremoli makes for a pretty stroll and it's just off the highway. Note that Google maps uses the 'E' numbers for autostrade, but virtually all the signs and every Italian use the 'A' numbers.
https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Milan-Linate-Airport-LIN/Milano-Centrale-Station
https://www.apathtolunch.com/2014/05/exploring-pontremoli-ten-things-to-do.html

Thanks for your quick reply Mike
My next question was going go be- which route? and you have answered that as well!
Also thanks for the Pontremoli suggestion- we won't be in any hurry so that sounds like a good lunch stop.

Another question
Would drop off at Milan Centrale work?
Looks like the Hertz drop off location is just a block or 2 from our hotel, block or 2 south of Centrale.
Would it be a pain traffic wise to get there?

Would it be a pain traffic wise to get there?

I have no idea, but just in case: remember that Milan's biggest ZTL is actually a congestion charge area. If you enter it by mistake while driving to Milano Centrale, you can avoid the fine paying online a few Euro fee within 3 days.

Looking at Google Maps directions, driving to the Hertz drop-off seems quite doable. They take you around Milan on the ring road A51 to the NE of the center, well away from the ZTL, and then in toward Centrale. Milan has two restricted areas Zone C is the one in the core - a ZTL with a mandatory fee. Zone B is a pollution control zone which is not a problem as you'll have a newer model car.

Thanks Mike
Very helpful

I'd be glad to have a car in Tuscany. I've never made that Milan drive, but since the Google Maps view leads me to believe it's a 4 hour drive, I can't see any reason to subject myself when I could sit on a train, looking out the window. Since the drive is around 200 miles, you should also factor in gasoline costs. Although Europe manufactures higher-economy cars than mighty Americans prefer, even at 30MPG, that's 7 gallons of gasoline at U$D7 per gallon, or $49. I have no idea if tolls are involved.

Our last time in Milan, our hotel was walking distance from Centrale - not a residential neighborhood, but fine for our local plans.

Thanks Tim- yes I know what you are saying. We do like the trains but as we age we are finding having a car a bit easier at times. Just looking at our options.
We've driven all over Tuscany before and know that will be no problem.

We've actually just decided to go from Lucca (where we will drop car) train to Bologna instead- 2 nights then to Milan for just 1 night before we fly out.
Can't seem to get excited about Milan. We can arrive from Bologna well before noon and see a bit- will try to get Last Supper tix but it's not a deal breaker and we are not willing to commit the time and money to a guided tour for that.
It's not going anywhere!