Help me prepare for drive between Venice & Lake Orta

Padova (Padua), Vicenza, Verona, Sirmione, Bergamo, Milano, are all along the route.
Of the above, Verona would probably take precedence on my book.

It's nearly all freeway. It is a 6 to 8 lane freeway for the most part. Not much different than driving on a freeway in North America. The only difference is the tolls. When you enter a freeway there is a toll booth at the entrance ramp. That's where you pick up a ticket (biglietto) at the machine which you keep with you. At the freeway exit ramp there is another toll booth. You just give the attendant the ticket you got at the entrance, and pay the toll based on the distance traveled. It basically works like a parking lot at any airport where you get a ticket and then you pay at the booth based on the amount of time you parked.

The toll booths with white signs and cash logo accept cash. If they have a black hand holding the cash, there is a human attendant, without the hand, only a self pay cash machine where you insert €s (gives change too). Blue signs with 'Carte' means credit cards only (unattended, only card machine). Yellow signs are for telepass (electronic toll collecting transponders). The credit cards must have chips to work. Choose the white signs (preferably attended by a human) and pay cash, it's easier and saves you some stress since you seem stressed.

Each time you enter and re-exit the freeway, you have to go through the same process. You don't need to exit the freeway to refuel or eat. Rest areas (Area di Servizio) are fully equipped with gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, and even motels in some places.

When you drive on European freeways it is important to remember to stay in the rightmost lane(s). There is no cruising in the left lane. The left lane is for passing only and you can pass vehicles only on their left (no going around them using the right lanes). When you pass a vehicle using the left lane, you must return to the right lane as soon as possible and let the faster vehicles pass you. The A4 goes through the most industrialized areas of Italy, therefore expect to see lots of trucks on the road. Be careful when you pass them, because the jump in front of you in the passing lane without much thought. They are bigger, so they don't care.

Study the European road signage system:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Italy

And don't forget to get your International Driver's Permit before you go (takes just 10 min and $15 at your local AAA. It's valid for 1 year, so go as close as possible to your departure)

Oly,

In addition to an IDP for each driver listed on the rental form, you'll also need to be very vigilant to avoid the dreaded ZTL (limited traffic) zones which exist in many Italian towns and cities. EACH pass through one means a hefty fine, which you probably won't know about until several months after you return home. Do NOT drive into Florence, as the city is just about saturated with automated ZTL cameras.

You'll also have to contend with fines for driving in bus lanes, parking tickets, tolls and speed cameras including the devious Traffic Tutor system which not only monitors instantaneous speeds but also average between two points. Violate either or both parameter and expensive tickets will follow! Be sure to budget for the high fuel costs and note that some automated fuel pumps may only accept Chip & PIN credit cards.

If your stop at Lake Orta is Orta San Giulio, I believe that's also a ZTL area so you won't be able to drive into the town. Your hotel there will be able to provide more specific details on parking.

Use Google Maps Streetview to do a virtual test drive of the route.

The comments about the trucks around Venice, in particular, are important.

All the way from the toll plaza near the Venice airport all the way to about Vicenza there will be many many trucks in the slow lane, and sometimes overtaking each other in the next lane. I liken it to a wall of trucks. They run very close to each other, nose to tail. In overtaking manoeuvres they pass at a very similar speed, just one or two miles an hour faster, than what they are passing so the process is slow and takes a long time. They do that because they all have digital tachographs and they get in trouble if they exceed the truck speed limit which is slower than cars.

If you need to see a roadside sign like that for an exit it may be very difficult so you need to be sure that if you need it you look in advance and then more to where you are not blocked.

If you have a good GPS - Sat Nav - you may not need roadside signs except for reassurance.

Generally the actual driving won't likely be too much trouble, just be aware that the trucks may have the right hand lane and cars the next, with fast cars the next.

This isn't to scare you but to make you informed of what you may find on the autostrada.

If you drive on Sunday you may find few if any trucks.

The itinerary suggested is perfect, my favourite places are Padua, Verona and Bergamo. The last one will surprises you, it is a unique hill town, with tiny medieval streets, embraced by 5 km of Venetian walls. The upper town's heart is piazza Vecchia, Le Corbusier describet it as the "most beautiful square in Europe"!! This eastern Lombard city offfers a wealth of art , medieval and Renaissance architecture, a privileged position overlooking the plains with breathtaking views!!!
Buona vacanza!
Lucia