Rome to Abruzzo

I’ve done it several times and it wasn’t too bad, but that was several years ago. I recently drove from Nerni to the Pescara area without any problems.
Take a look at the Rome2Rio app. It will give you several transportation options. Be aware of signs that say ZTL. This lets you know that driving is restricted. Do not enter! You can rent cars in abruzzo.

It's just under 100 miles to Abruzzo from Rome--on A24 going East. There's a mountain range you have to go around--with Abruzzo tucked behind it. From the looks of the roads on the map, the roads appear to be pretty curvy. The area should be quite beautiful.

Your rental car location can give you directions how to get out of Rome without incident.

Beware that some cities have radar cameras that don't give you any mph leeway. Just drive the speed limit when you're close to towns and you'll be okay. I got a ticket on the causeway going out to Venice--and the trip was worth the $185 penalty.

I am sure locals would appreciate if you always drove the speed limit, not only when getting close to the city center. Especially since there are speed traps also on motorways. The leeway not to be fined by cameras is 5 km/h, more if the speed limit is over 100 km/h.

You can't drive past this sign: https://www.quizpatenteapp.com/manuale-patente/argomento-teoria/domanda/92187
Memorize it and remember that ZTLs protect city centers from pollution and don't pop-up along suburban roads

This is one of the many videos explaining how to pay motorway tolls using the multilingual machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbxh7iik1Ws&ab_channel=KimberlyOlsen
Some toll station still have manned booths: https://images.app.goo.gl/HrjfxZBgSskBTosVA Even if many silly children in the 80s thought exactly the contrary, the sign with an hand is not a reference to The Addams Family.

Since you are are a little worried about driving right after the arrival, note that there are 3 direct trains from Rome's main station to Pescara Centrale. They depart every day at 14:20, 16:40 and 18:47. No need to book in advance, those are Regional trains with no discounts for early birds and no reserved seats. The railway schedules of Nov. 6 will be uploaded on trenitalia.com on June 12. They could add a direct train in the morning, but don't hold your breath.

Thank you ALL for the great tips and information. So very helpful!!! Please keep them coming. I really do appreciate this help. 😊

I would be tempted to take the train to Pescara and rent the car there. Autoeurope has availability for pickup and drop off in Pescara. Also, November may mean snow, especially in the higher elevations of which there are many in Abruzzo, so take into consideration where you will be driving. Many of the roads into the smaller towns are narrower than a one lane road here but with two way traffic! They drive them fast because of the familiarity, but it can be rather disconcerting to meet oncoming traffic on these narrow, windy roads. However, the roads are in great condition.
Ortona is a lovely place so basing there would be a suggestion, especially since most of where you want to go is in the Chieti Province.

I've never driven to Abruzzo but drove from FCO to Campobasso, in Molise in March 2018, and all around for 2 weeks before returning the car back to FCO. In late April 2019, I picked up the rental car at Termini station, drove all around Molise and into Naples (not recommended, but we drove straight to our Airbnb in Romero, parked in a gated lot, and drove out the next day.) and returned the car back to FCO. Driving out of FCO is maybe a little easier than Termini, although after the first 10 minutes we were far enough outside or Rome it was fine. The hardest part about Termini is getting out of the rental parking garage, the rental offices are all at the station but the parking garage is a block away and the ramp out is incredibly narrow and circular. The spaces inside are so cramped even the rental car worker gave up moving one car.
Anyway, my recommendation is if you have experience and aren't stressed out driving in unfamiliar roads, renting in Rome isn't too bad, once you're on the highway it's all the same. But, if you aren't up for that type of adventure and there's a car rental location at your destination train station then go for it. Just be aware as others have said, that it's also stressful to drive in the country side because the locals know the roads, drive faster, gauge the road edges better etc. Also, be aware the car rental agencies may charge you for chains in the car, I can't remember the exact dates but in Molise it was November-March?

I picked up the rental car at Termini station, drove all around Molise and into Naples

Travelbug is going to visit the Abruzzo, so they will drive along divided motorways through the mountains and all the way from Rome to Pescara . Or to the other seaside towns between L'Aquila and Pescara.

There are no similar roads going from Naples to the-Region-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

@LC

It is beyond cool to visit the birthplace of your parents and nonno’s and nonna’s. Some of the great moments of my travels. Have done it with my adopted Italian uncles and aunties and friends of Italian heritage and recently with my daughter-in-law, whose heritage is from the Barony of Carpelle, northern part of Abruzzo. Southern slopes of Gran Sasso. Plan to be back in Sept/Oct this year for a week or two.

Have had lunch at Roccascalenga, about 12 or so Km’s southwest of Frisa/Badia, but do not remember your towns. It is a lovely rural area producing excellent olive oils and red wines. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an exceptional wine. Has its own DOC and sub-Doc’s. Quite brilliant if one can cellar it for 10 to 15 Years. Also, stunning Cerasulo (rose’ style) is now produced. Do not know how well these are known in USA or Canada.

South to Vasto as it is twinned with my home city of Perth, Western Australia.

Not too sure how much you know of the WW2 history of this area.

The coast towns/ports from Pescara north to Ancona and Rimini were bombed heavily and constantly by the USAAF, because of the railway line. Also, Sulmona and Avezzano because of their railyards. Pescara had an important and large railyard which was used by the Germans to move supplies and troops. Most of Pescara was destroyed. Hence today the city has rather ugly and brutal post WW2 style square concrete and glass buildings.

Most inland hilltop towns were not of military significance and in recognition of their cultural importance were not targeted. Mother nature's earthquakes have not been so kind.

You are probably aware that the Canadian army was in the vanguard of the Commonwealth forces who were assigned to advance up the Adriatic Coast. And of the battle of Ortona. If not, spend some time researching what happened. I learnt about these and other campaigns by Commonwealth forces in Europe, as part of our history curriculum. I am told that Canadians are held in high esteem in this region. Make sure to identify yourselves as Canadians of Italian descent. Moro River Canadian War Cemetery is to the south of the town. Along with Canadian, Commonwealth and German soldiers, it is estimated around 3,000 Italian civilians were killed around Ortona. If you go, feel free shed tears for all of these.

In my experience, the best resource for accommodation etc are my friends and relatives in the area I plan to visit. Chase up your distant relatives and ask for help. You are sure to be amazed at how pleased and thrilled they will be to help. Have had marvellous gatherings arranged for us to meet with people who are now my good mates. Email, Zoom like software are great tools.

In regard to driving. I am best ignored. We love to drive in Italy. Its countryside and its cities. A challenge to start with but once after recalibrating to driving on the other side of the road, no worries. We naturally drive like Italians. Or a German on the Autobahn. Probably why we get the odd offer of a free prostate examination. Strangely mostly from older women. My sons, son-in-law and brother-in-law, on their first outing on Italian roads settled right into the technique. I note that thousands of cars, probably many hundreds of thousands of cars are successfully leased and hired/rented or borrowed/lent over the course of a year. A small number have failures and need to vent their anger because of their incompetence. I have no intention to follow in their footsteps. Caution is advisable, but it should not come to dominate your enthusiasm or thought processes. Your group has ample time to learn the road signs and what to expect on the toll collection points etc. And take advice from Dario and other balanced contributors. If you make an error, suck it up and keep on going. Part of the experience.

As we spend an extended time in Europe, leasing is our preferred option. Have driven FCO to Abruzzo region a number of times. A bit like driving to the pub for a beer or two. Some moan about the winding roads. This true, and a challenge for the lazy. But I enjoy it, especially when my mates insist that I take a nicely preserved Italian convertible for a couple of days.
Away from the coast this is a beautiful region and to date largely unaffected by rampaging tourists. Enjoy the real Italy while it lasts. Enjoyment of the region’s food is only limited by ones own fear of trying something new.

A last note. Have not seen this in travel guides. Venice was successfully bombed on one occasion by RAF. Operation Bowler. An interesting read, especially the reason for the code name.
Regards Ron

We rented a car through AutoEurope and picked it up at the Europcar office near the Tiburtina railway station in Rome. It was easy to get to the highway from there and we drove to Sulmona in Abruzzo where we stayed several days and explored the area. It was easy to drive in that area as it’s mostly rural and the ZTL in Sulmona was easy to avoid. If you read the driving rules for Italy, follow the parking and speed limit signs, you’ll be fine and avoid tickets. I got stopped by the police in a routine traffic stop near the small town of Scanno but had my International Drivers Permit so had no problem. The area is absolutely gorgeous and we felt Sulmona was a great home base for a few days.