Driving from Rome to Amalfi

I would definitely NOT rent a car for your time at the Amalfi Coast. There are plenty of transportation options to get you where you need to go. Especially in July, the traffic is crazy and parking is very scarce and expensive.

Traffic in Rome can be interesting. Traffic in Napoli can be nuts. In the off-season I have found (driving my personal car - a Honda Accord - in April) the Amalfi Drive beautiful and busy, but loads of fun. I've never done it in July but I'd put a wooden nickel on it being an absolute madhouse and no fun at all. If you drive from Rome to Amalfi and back you will have your work cut out. I'd be very very reluctant to do it at that time of the year.

For the Amalfi Coast portion of your trip, take a bus! You can hold hands and enjoy the view together, from a higher seat vantage point than in a car. If you can garage your rental in Sorrento, or turn it in and get another after you visit the Amalfi Coast, you can still enjoy the drive for most of your trip.

What part of the drive did you hear was gorgeous? The trip from Rome to Naples/Salerno, or the drive up the Amalfi coast? In my opinion, if you are simply planning to drive the distance from Rome to Salerno to get there, then it is probably not worth it to rent a car. If you had said we want to take our time, spend a night or two on the way, etc....then certainly it may be best to drive if you have some firm ideas of where to go and what to see. I agree with others, while the drive along the Amalfi Coast is somewhat spectacular, the reality is that in July you will be sharing it with a hoard of other cars plus buses and delivery trucks. If anything, take the train, then for the coast, hire a car and driver to take you up the coast or do a local bus.

Just to add my voice to the chorus telling you not ot drive. Some years ago we took the bus from Naples to Amalfi in early May. The road was so crowded that the last 4 kms took half an hour. Some passengers actually got off and walked into Amalfi. I can't imagine what it's like in the summer. lso, the nature of the road is such that the driver can't and shouldn't enjoy the scenery!

Thank you everyone for your replies. They will be very helpful.