Picking up a car in Venice, dropping it off in Rome- suggestions needed

The first question is why use a car at all. Italy is one of the more difficult places to drive. If you scan back you will see lots of discussion about ticket for no drive zones. I think you should arrange to drop the car outside of Rome. I would use the airports if pricing is the same.

The reason we are renting a car is to have one for our use in Tuscany so that we can travel around the area. Some friends just drove from Venice to Florence (which is what our first drive will be) and they said it went very smoothly. We will not drive in any of the major cities- the car will stay at the Villa unless we need it to drive to Lucca, Volterra, etc. We will use bus and trains - at the end of our trip we will drive to Rome, and drop off the car, and use the train and bus system to get around there.

That is understandable. I think I would be inclined to rent a car out of Florence for the few days in Tuscany.

You're not familiar with Italy and you're expecting to be able to navigate in and around both Venice, Florence and Rome??? Please don't. Driving in Rome and Venice and even Florence is almost never a smooth operation. Take the train as much as possible which includes Venice to Florence and Florence to Rome. If you really want to drive through Tuscany then rent the car AFTER you get to Florence...perhaps on the outskirts. Definitely don't drive into Rome if you're not familiar or unprepared.

If you DO decide to drive the whole way then by all means load up on car insurance...you're gonna need it!

We are only driving from Venice to our villa outside of Florence, use the car to get around Tuscany, never drive inside Florence itself- nor Rome or Venice. Hopefully this will work out. My husband and son will drive so it should be fine. We'll use trains and buses to mainly get around once we are at the Villa. Thanks for your input- Melissa

As many has mentioned having a car in the cities or near the cities is not a big plus.

But to answer your specific questions. Picking up in Venice can be done at either the airport or Piazzale Roma. P.le Roma is probably where you are set up to do it, since you will be in Venice already. It is where the causeway ends and all traffic stops coming in to Venice. there are several agencies there.

you will go acroos the causeway and pick up the autostrade through bologna to florence.

Get very specific instructions from your destination in FLorence. You need to stay away from the city center to avoid the ZTL zones and tickets.

Many people, me included, would suggest staying away from ROme with a car. Lots of folks will drop the rental at Chiusi or Orvieto and take the train from there.

We have rented cars in Venice (Piazzale Roma) at least 4 times. It's easy. Whereas the autostrada is much faster don't hesitate to experience the smaller superstrada or stradale. They will be the most memorable. Italian drivers are aggressive but good. The 2 most important pieces of advice I can give is let them do their thing and have a good navigator. Know the towns you will pass through on your way to your destination. We did drop off a car once in Rome(in the city). Not a problem. Study the maps...

Picking up a rental car in Venice and driving out is very easy. There's only one road and it places you on the Autostrada.

Dropping in Rome is another matter. Drop at the airport.

We're doing the exact opposite, picking up our car rental at FCO and driving up to Tuscany for a few days and then dropping our car off a P. Roma in Venice. Probably an easier direction to do this, but I wouldn't let it stop me. Depending on where your Rome hotel is, dropping off the car in Chiusi or Orvieto and training the rest of the way to Rome is not a bad idea.

We drove Italy top-to bottom 3 years ago, and navigated the car into downtown Rome to return it near the train station. It was very difficult-asked directions 3 times. We are going again next year and are picking up a car in La Spezia(after Cinque Terre) and driving Tuscany for 4 days and leaving the car in Orvieto and taking the train into Rome.As the other people suggested I would reconsider and leave the car in Orvieto and not try to navigate Rome. If you do, ask car rental people for a map of how to get to the drop off.

Melissa- I would look into whether I could drop the car in Orvieto or Orte They are easy to get to from the Autostrada and trains into Rome run often (try to get a "local" as opposed to an "express"- a lot cheaper and only take a few more minutes.) If you are looking for simple and uncomplicated, that would probably be the best way to go. BTW- having a car in Tuscany is wonderful. You are on the right track to avoid taking it into Florence. Also, be aware, there are speeding cameras all through the hills of Tuscany. No big deal as long as you go the speed limit.

Melissa,
I did the exact thing you're considering just 3 weeks ago and this is how it worked. I picked up the rental car uppon leaving Venice at the Piazzale Roma...the waterbus takes you right to the stop, and the car rental places are about 50 yards away.
I didn't drive in Rome, but rather dropped off the car at Ciampino airport and took a car back into Rome (you could take a taxi as well) to the hotel. The ZTL's are everywhere in Rome, and you run the risk of having hundreds of dollars of fines waiting for you when you get home. There's plenty of public transportation (taxis, buses, trains) to not ever need a car once you're in Rome.
When you visit Florence, drive from your villa to the Pizzale Michelangelo. The lot is huge, free and buses shuttle you right into the center of Florence. The parking lot is also one of the best places to take the panoramic shot of Florence since it sits above the city. If you can arrange to be in that spot at noon, you'll hear the entire city ringing...it's really something to hear.

I would also suggest dropping the car in Orvieto.Its a neat town for a short visit or even an overnight before taking the train to Rome.Why drive into Rome if you dont have to.If you drop at an airport in Rome you still have to get into the city.