Rest stops on the Autostrade

If you are asking about the large service areas (such as the AutoGrill) every so often on the autostrada, then I would compare these places more to a truck stop than a rest area. The emphasis is on fuel and food. The grounds are mostly concrete, and I've never seen anyone enjoying an outdoor picnic. A few of them have limited covered parking, though, and you might be able to grab a nap there.

Actually many, particularly in the North, have picnic tables and grassy areas. I wouldn't want to nap outside of the car in one, though. There are some occasional shady characters. And if you think you'll need a nap to make a four drive, I'd consider sleeping one night in Milan, first. The Autostrade isn't great for jet-legged sleepy-heads.

Here's a link with more info on Autogrills: http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/driving/autogrill.htm. They're cleaner than most American rest areas, with much better food. The no toilet seat took some getting used to.

Yeah, you might want to prepare yourself for the toilets. They're clean, though! And that's hardly an issue confined to Autogrills.

I just returned to the states by exiting Italy through Malpensa and although I was not looking at the rest stops as a place to take a nap - I do not recall them to appear to be conducive to that end either. Not to say that you cannot get some shut eye there if you are tired enough but they are just noise and concrete. The traffic in that area is thick as well which does not help matters. Just imagine any rest area outside a major metropolitan area where you live. If your schedue permits consider getting a hotel closer to get a nap. As another said the autostrada is not the best place to drive when you are tired. Also consider getting off the plane, through customs, to the rental car company, find the car etc will take some time even before you hit the autostrada.

Just wanted to add that the rest stops of the Autogrill chain have really good food, so I would highyly recommend them as a place to grab a quick bite to eat, (the breakfast menu, cornetto, cappucino, and freshly squeezed orange juice is divine) though some of them even have self-service type dining for lunch and dinner. They also have these stores where they sell all kinds of stuff, including traditional food from the region. You will find them along any major highway. The bathrooms vary in quality, though nothing worse than what you would find at any truck stop in the US, but very few of them have places for picnicing. We tend to just eat standing around the car, I admit it would be very hard to sleep at one of them!