Can I drive from Perugia, Italy to Como, Italy in one day? Any experience with this trip? We are staying in Rome for four days, Our third trip to Rome, Then driving to Perugia for three days. From Perugia to the Hotel Tremezzo on lake Como for five nights. While we have driven extensively around Italy, Worried about the long drive to Como.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Roger, according to www.viamichelin.com, the drive from Perugia to Bellagio will take 6hr07min. It's a 326 mile journey. With stops and petrol, figure close to 7.5hrs. Also add in 91Euro for tolls and petrol. Here's a link to a picture of what the drive looks like. http://gyazo.com/6fb876bad9428355a3788f7a41f47cb8
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15981 posts
If you go to Como, it's 100% freeway and it's just 500km. The drive is actually only about 5 hours, but then you have to add pit stops and maybe a lunch at one of the Service Areas, which are fully equipped with gas stations, restaurants and stores. To go to the Lecco branch of the lake it's the same length.
I've driven Milan to near Perugia in way less than 5 hours with included a pit stop for gas, espresso and brioche.
From Perugia I recommend that you take the E45 Superstrada (a 4 lane freeway with no tolls) toward Cesena, then right after Cesena switch to the A14 autostrada to Bologna (toll freeway) and at Bologna switch to the A1 to Milano. That route is only slightly shorter, but it allows you to avoid the traffic around Florence, and the portion of freeway through the Appenines mountains between Florence and Bologna which is heavily used by trucks (hundreds and hundreds of them). Trust me I've done it many times. Take the E45. Very scenic too.
Posted by
14 posts
That will be one beautiful drive. Have you considered breaking up the drive into two days? I have not driven in Italy myself but have driven with a friend in Lake Como. The streets are very narrow and small. I honestly would not recommend you driving at night there after you drove for 6 or so hours. Hotel Tremezzo is amazing and once you arrive there it will be paradise. If I were you I would break the trip up into 2 days stopping possibly somewhere around Verona. You would have to take another route other than the one Larry posted but it sounds like another option. Verona is small and would be beautiful to see on a short stop. {Colosseum, the Gusti Gardens and lunch on the river} It's amazing. I can send you a link to some photos if you want of our trip to Como + Verona. Cheers!
Good luck!