Need help with an itinerary from Cinque Terre to Rome.

What mode of transport? Do you prefer train or will you rent a car?

Personally, I could easily spend all of that time in Rome. But if you want another stop along the way.... most of the trains from Monterosso to Rome require a change in Pisa. You could spend a night there, visiting Pisa and Lucca (frequent short train riide away), before going on to Rome.

CJean has a good recommendation in Lucca. We spent 3 nights there and it was not enough.

Have you already spent significant time in Rome?

You really have just 4 days, ( 4th, 5th 6th 7th) plus whatever part of the 3rd is not spent traveling to 'where ever'.

If you have not yet done Rome, that is an obvious choice. If you are looking for a 'chill out' location, Lucca should be considered.

And if you do not make Rome your destination from CT, you have one more travel day to factor in to get to Rome the night before your, what presumably is a morning flight from Rome.

We have already spent time in Rome, but we have never been to Lucca. Thanks for the suggestion. We will be renting a car.

Is there a reason you need a car in Lucca? Unless you're venturing into the countryside, it will just be collecting fees in a car park.

If you've never driven in Italy, please read this and download their PDF for signage and rules of the road.

https://www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/dont-mess-with-ztl-zones

There are lots of places between the Cinque Terre and Rome. It would help to have some idea on what type of experience you're most interested in for those five days? Spending a couple of days in Lucca is one possibility, but you could also look at Siena, Assisi, Orvieto or other smaller towns, with the last few days prior to your flight home in Rome.

You may already be aware of this..... For driving in Italy, each driver listed on the rental form must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which may be provided by the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Failure to pay the fines when requested may result in the rental car being impounded, and further charges for towing and storage. Have a look at https://it.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/transportation-driving/ for more information on I.D.P's and driving in Italy.

As someone else mentioned, you'll also need to be vigilant to avoid ZTL (limited traffic) areas, which exist in many Italian towns. Each pass through one will result in hefty fines, which you likely won't know about until several months after you get home.