On our next visit to Italy we're planning to have a car and drive from Florence to Orvieto on our next-to-last day. Google Maps gives the drive (using highway A1) as 165 km, taking about 1 hour 39 mins. How realistic is this driving time? Does the Google estimate consider that we're talking Italy here, with toll booths and all?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Here's the website for the Mapquest of Europe, viamichelin.com: clickIt gives almost exactly the same time. However, what is not included in this time is if you take a wrong turn or two getting onto the autostrada at the Florence end and need extra time to find your parking lot at the Orvieto end.
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Also will depend on your time of day... getting OUT of Florence a few years ago took us over 30 minutes. Unfortunatley we left about 8 AM and were stuck in traffic (in the OUTBOUND lanes???). We were staying on the northwest side of town.
Once on the autostrada outside of town it's usually clear sailing. Speed limit now is 130 KM/HR (about 78 mph) on the autostrade in Italy.
"Slow Travel Italy" has good info on driving in Italy. Here's a link I send my friends before they come and drive!