Questions for the experts on a drive from Colle di Val D'Elsa to Orvieto

The drive from Colle to Orvieto is about 2 hours, and it's all freeway.

Not sure what route you intend to take which would require 5 hours without stops.. Even if you took the two lane Via Cassia for most of the way, then detour to Buonconvento, S. Quirico, Pienza, Montepulciano, before heading to Orvieto, it wouldn't be more than 3 hours. Then of course one should add the time for the stops.

Thanks Roberto,
When I mapped out taking the scenic route (in RS book) that takes the Val D'Orcia Loop (SR2-SP 146) it added up to close to 4 hours but I added time as most have said that google maps does not take into account the slow roads? We want to avoid major highways and take in the scenery.
Thanks,
KS

It really just depends on how long you want to be in a car. We all have a limit, lol. I think a slight round up is sufficient—you don’t need to necessarily add more than an hour, but stops and things like getting turned around can happen.
It is advised to not leave valuables in the car. Some take that more seriously than others (I’ve certainly taken the risk, only taking medicine and other vital items with me).

Thanks @valadeplphia,

Yea the day in the vehicle doesn't bother us (we are from Canada where everything is a drive ha) I was more curious I guess as to if we were to stop at places like Siena/Pienza/Montepulciano/Montalcino if that was too much for the day ;)

Cheers,
KS

Forget Rick Steves. I don't even know what RS Heart of Tuscany drive is.

Take this route. It goes through Buonconvento, San Quirico, Pienza, and Montepulciano. That's all you need to see.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xo4nUCrQqe5wbATf6
Right now Google is sending you to the freeway through Fabro, because of temporary road closures tonight, but in normal times you would go directly from Montepulciano to the Chiusi-Chianciano freeway entrance to catch the A1 to Orvieto.

Without stopping it is less than 2.5 hours to Orvieto. If you stop at Pienza and Montepulciano, the most famous towns along the route, for 2-3 hours each, you have accomplished everything you need to accomplish in one day. The Hertz office in Orvieto closes at 7pm, so you can change your car return time to a bit later too.

Hi again @Roberto da Firenze,

Thanks so much that is very helpful and much appreciated. I was also thinking I could drop the car off later if I was worried. Thank you again for your time and effort!

Cheers,

KS

Siena/Pienza/Montepulciano/Montalcino

This is too much for one day.
Siena is worth a full day or even better an overnight

You could do Pienza and Montepulciano on same day, they are about 10 min apart but allow time to find parking! You can walk from one end to the other of each in a very short time although they both deserve a bit more than that.

Montalcino could be paired with the Sant'Antimo Abbey.
Be careful with wine tasting- have a designated driver

I haven't looked at the RS drive lately but I believe it circles around near Monticchiello and then passes Bagno Vignoni.
Bagno Vignoni is beautiful and makes an easy stop- large parking lot, great gelato shop there.
San Quirico is also an easy stop- parking lot right at the gate and the town center is not very big.

I wouldn't get too hung up on following his drive to the letter- all the roads in the vicinity are very scenic with great views.

We drove from Orvieto to Pienza- we wanted to see Civita Bagnoreggio first then we just let the GPS guide us - I guess it was thru Radicofani. Lovely drive but did hit a rather long and round about detour - oh well we weren't in a hurry.

Hi @ChristineH:

That is what I thought. I think it makes more sense for us to do Siena as a day trip from our Agriturismo and then take the slow scenic route on the way to Orvieto and like you and Roberto said not get hung up on the specific RS drive. We will be on "Tuscan Time" by then and just enjoy things as they come.
Thanks for the advice, I will look into your recommendations - also we def would not drink and drive...we can likely purchase Brunello wine anywhere so not to hung up on Montalico or a wine tour on this route.

Thanks again for your time, it is appreciated.

Cheers,

KS

I guess the only other thing to keep in mind is Market days. They can really jam up these little towns and make parking almost impossible.
I would check all of those and try to avoid
I think this resource is still good
https://www.tuscanyitaly.info/marketdaysintuscany/marketdaysintuscany.htm#.XkDaiC2ZN7M

On our first trip to Tuscany 2014 we stayed in Montepulciano and drove over to Pienza- had no idea it was a big festival day- the Pecorino Cheese Festival. Somehow we found parking and it was so much fun- there was a pecorino cheese rolling contest going on in the main piazza end of Aug/early Sept.
We have since stayed in Penza twice- perfectly lovely quiet little town with some very good restaurants. I know RS doesn't care much for it but we love it. No major sights there but the whole town is a UNESCO heritage site for a reason.
The views from surrounding wall are magnificent.

Enjoy!