Ok Ron and others who know how to drive out of Rome, this question is just like Lindas, but we are picking up a Hertz rental near the Vatican. I think it is on Gregorio. What is the best way out, heading north, towards Montepulciano?
Dana
Posted by
The Hague, NL (AMS)
2207 posts
Dana,
If you're picking your car up on Via Gregorio VII near the Vatican... the best direction to head would be WEST away from the Vatican on Via Gregorio VII until you run into Circonvallazione Aurellia... bear to the right onto Circonvallazione Aurelia and go about 3-4 blocks - then turn LEFT onto Via Aurelia...
Stay on Via Aurelia until you hit A-90... this is also known as the GRA, the loop around Rome. It's a divided highway, much like our interstates. Head NORTH towards A-1 FIRENZE (Florence).
If you're looking at a clock face, you will enter the A-90 (GRA) at about 8 o'clock and exit it onto A-1 about 12:30 on that same clock face!
This sounds simple, only TWO turns, but I still agree with Kent and would use a GPS. Also Google Map this and print that section out, blowing up the two turns you have to make!
If you know where you're going, and stay alert - driving in Rome, while challenging, is not as difficult as many other cities (like Naples)!
Hope that helps!
Ciao,
Ron
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
I'm going to defer to Ron on this and only say here what I think he would say:If you're old hands at driving in Italian cities, then with specific directions you can do this. If you're not, then let me respectfully suggest that you strongly consider doing what you need to do to have a GPS and know how to use it before you get into the car. The GPS will reduce stress on the rest of your Italian driving experience, because maps are of limited use since in most cities/towns you can't read street signs as you're approaching them--it's a vacation and you're supposed to be having fun and not starting out your exciting day of driving being frustrated or worse by the process of escaping unscathed from Rome.I know, if you haven't driven in Italian cities before, you're probably thinking: how hard can it be to do this? And the answer is: harder than you think. You can also change your pickup location to the airport or Orvieto.
Posted by
OP
Conroe, USA
30 posts
Thanks Ron and Kent,
I just checked with Hertz and we do have a GPS. I will google the map too. Thanks Ron for the clock face visual, that truely is helpful for me. My husband will be driving and I can give the orders!!!!
Thanks again,
Dana