We will be driving from Bologna to Sulmona, Abruzzo in one day in October 2022. Quite a slog, but so far our best solution to ongoing travel puzzles.
Options are to drive the A14 route with tolls that amount to $30-35 and faster; or drive the SS16 route-no tolls, but slower or do a combination of both. We will take the toll route from Bologna to Rimini ($9 in tolls) and the toll route from Pescara to Sulmona($5 in tolls).
As far as scenery-what might be best? We aren’t opposed to the tolls on A14 if it is the best choice. SS16 goes through many smaller towns, but if they are worth seeing that is okay too.
Does anyone have a restaurant/cafe recommendation somewhere in the Ancona area-any direction that would be a good midday stop for lunch?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16168 posts
Forget trying to penny pinch on tolls. The entire toll from Bologna to Sulmona is less than the cost of a dinner for one person at an average restaurant. The view from the State road SS16 is not much different than from the A14 freeway since they run parallel, and the regular road is much slower due to speed restrictions and traffic. The chance of getting a speeding ticket while trying to drive through a town (where the speed limit is always 50 km/h) is also much higher, and a speeding ticket would negate any toll savings.
What you should do is use the A14. However it is possible that there might be places you want to see en route. In that case exit the freeway when necessary and, after visiting what you want to visit, get back on the A14 and proceed. You can take a look at some of the best spots along the route in the Marche or Abruzzo in the websites below to see where you'd like to stop.
https://www.turismo.marche.it/en-us/
https://abruzzoturismo.it/en/
The only problem is that the distance between Bologna and Sulmona is such that you need over 5 hours of driving (plus pit stops), therefore if you want to do it in a day, you can't stop in too many places for too long.
Posted by
OP
Southeast of Seattle
732 posts
Thank you Roberto.
Exactly the info I needed to decide the route. My husband will like the A14 better for driving anyway.
Figured at least 8 hrs, so no, we won’t be doing much actual sightseeing along the way.
Now for a good place to take the longer pit stop!
I will check the sites too. Thanks.
Posted by
Boston
1806 posts
The waterfront & harbor of San Benedetto del Tronto makes for an interesting stop to see the fishing fleet and stretch your legs. You can get into and out of town fairly quickly and there are restaurants and services near the waterfront.
Posted by
OP
Southeast of Seattle
732 posts
Thank you Mike. Great suggestion and a good 2/3 of the way stop.