We will be going to Lake Garda/Malcesine in July, and flying into Verona. We are not interested in a long scenic drive there as we have plenty of days to explore at a leisurely pace. I expect that the SR249 along the lake could take a very long time and although it is scenic, we have plenty of days to explore the lake once we get to Malcesine. I see that there is the SS12 roadway but I am not sure if it goes too far north, towards Riva without having access to go west toward Malcesine. If you have driving these routes in the summer and have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
There are no workable exits from the SS12.
In fact, using the coast road is the only sensible option. If you search Google maps, it offers three routes partly by dual carriageway which hit the lake at Garda or Lazise.
All take less than 1.5 hrs.
The coast road is very straightforward, the only time it gets really jammed is late afternoon on a Sunday going north.