driving in the Amalfi coast

Driving the Amalfi coast is generally not recommended unless you have nerves of steel and a lot of experience driving very narrow, curvy roads with oncoming traffic sharing very narrow curves with you. Besides, if you are driving, you are not able to see the beautiful scenery as you pass the coast line.

I enjoy driving. I enjoy driving along scenic coasts. That said, no way I'd try driving along the Amalfi Coast. Too much traffic, too many places where the road is too narrow to allow that traffic to all pass through, too many places where cars or a bus needs to back up to get things flowing again. Too many places where I would wish I was just not behind the wheel.

I've been a bus passenger on this road before and seen the crazy interactions between vehicles. That's where I'll be next time - on the bus.

When are you going? We drive the Amalfi Coast in mid March and it wasn’t too bad. We just drive slowly, pulling off as needed. We liked being able to go at our own pace.

is easier to handle the diving from Rome to Amalfi coast?

Easier than what?

The road is fine, its the traffic that is the 'problem'. You will not be going very fast and the driver has limited opportunity to view the scenery.

Definitely easier than driving from Kapalua to Kahului, Maui via Highway 30/340 around the north side of the island

carrionivette, since this is your first post on the board, please post again, with the month of your planned travel, and your home state. Both are relevant to giving you the best answers.

also, are you okay with driving a stick shift?

carrionivette, I asked the same question recently about renting a car to drive from Rome to Amalfi for our trip at the end of February. I can't answer from experience, I only can share that I've done quite a bit of research and decided that we will not rent a car. If you go to my post, "Amalfi Coast in February," you can read the answers from folks who were kind enough to share their thoughts. And by the way, we are from the Northeast, have owned manual cars, and can successfully navigate through Boston traffic. Maybe we will change our minds once we arrive!

Hello dear Carrionivette,

I just returned from Italy last week. I rented a car (stick shift) and drove from Orvieto all the way down to Amalfi. My bestfriend who I was traveling with was nervous much of the time (but that's her personality) and she would never drive. I of course was made to drive and it was thoroughly exhilerating for me, but I would say that I belong to a minority group.

The majority of people on forum sites will advise you against driving. It totally depends on the kind of driver you are.

I will make it simple from my own personal experience.

People who should NOT drive in Italy:
-Those who are timid and fearful drivers. If driving through Idaho makes you nervous, don't drive in Italy.

-Those who cannot react/respond quickly.
-Those who do not have spatial discernment (Italian drivers can pass each other within a hair of each other and not scratch each other). The roads are indeed narrow.
-Those who are prone to motion sickness. The coast is full of twists and turns.
-Those who cannot drive stick-shift and cannot afford to rent an automatic (considerably more expensive than a manual) should not drive. [No, you cannot learn to drive stickshift in a couple hours and feel confident enough to tackle Italian roads, in my humble opinion)

People who can drive in Italy:
-Experienced, confident drivers who enjoy driving and the journey (which I do).
-Those who are able to go with the flow and stay alert to many "crazy" Italian drivers who have their own set of rules. Some drive between lanes and will often cut you off. On the highways, they drive extremely fast. I was averaging 130km/hr an hour, while many were passing me at 180km/hr and faster.

One thing to mention is that parking is limited from Positano to Amalfi. In Positano, I parked at a gallery and then a restaurant. In Amalfi, I parked in a huge under-mountain parkade and walked down to the warf. There IS parking, you just need to seek it out.

Next time I go to Italy, I will definitely rent and drive again. It gave me control over where I went and how long I was at each spot. However, as mentioned, I may belong to a small group. Whichever you decide, I am sure you will enjoy the Coast thoroughly. It has become my favorite coast - surpassing the Pacific Coast Highway in California held that position for a long time.

Safe travels and all the best!

Sophi

p.s. watch videos on driving in Rome and Amalfi. They will give you a good idea of what you are in for.

I’m one of those that loves to drive (stick preferred) and loved the Amalfi Coast — but NEVER in high tourist season. No exaggeration that there are bus and car incidents that require everyone driving in one direction to back up far enough to allow those coming from the opposite direction to pass. Often requiring a passenger to direct the traffic and hold oncoming traffic to allow those giving way to take their turn around the hairpin turn. It’s the same on Lake Como. Roads were built for Romans with a cart. Not for two automobiles. There were times when my friends screamed when I was driving back to a rented villa on Como. And a Mercedes van driver refused to come to the villa’s front door because he said the road was too dangerous. He was not happy when I drove the van to the door for my friends to arrive for their visit. Sometimes it takes nerves of steel — or a woman refusing to give up!

I’d recommend hiring a car and driver to take you to the Amalfi and you can explore using the bus system. Sunset is spectacular!!!