During our Italian trip in late September/early October, we are wanting to drive up into the Swiss Alps as we make our way to the Dolomites. I'm abnormal in that I prefer to be in the car all day driving all around the countryside seeing scenery vs walking around towns, or visiting museums, art galleries etc. 10-12 hours of driving is nothing for me (I once drove 44 hrs in 48 hrs time from Iguazu Falls Brazil, across Argentina, over the Andes and to the North of Chile but I was young and foolish), so I'm trying to knock out as many passes as possible without overdoing it. We will be staying on Lake Maggiore the night before (probably in Verbania) so the plan was to drive through Bellinzona up E35 over Gotthard Pass, possibly down Furka Pass (and Grimsel if we had more time but probably will turn around there), through Andermatt along 19 towards Stelvio Pass where we'd stay the night somewhere around there. Any particular town between there and Bolzano?
What would be more scenic between the Davos route with Fluela and Umbrail passes, vs going further South through St Moritz as we make our way to the Dolomites?
We will have been in Lake Como a few days earlier and I see that the northern part of the lake is not far from St Moritz so my question is if doing the long day up into the Swiss Alps and over, is worth it compared to changing our itinerary to go from Lake Maggiore to Lake Como to the Dolomites skipping all of those passes and missing much of Switzerland. As much as I love mountain driving, I feel it will be worth it but wanted to get some input. We've never been to Switzerland so are the Alps just as green and beautiful in early Fall, or are these drives better done earlier in the Summer? Ideally, we are trying to see as much of the area on this trip, so we have a better idea of what areas we'd like to spend more time in on the next trip. I am mapping out this trip both directions and will either hit the mountains towards the beginning, or the end depending upon the weather as it definitely won't be worth doing all of the driving if the weather is not good. Thanks!