The Ferry to Reggio Cakabria

I've been to Matera but not Calabria. Viamichelin good about giving route details. It looks like about four hours on main roads. Driving near Matera is quite easy going.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s in 2012, we did the ferry crossing in the morning, and they cut off as the last car on the ferry, the one ahead of the car in front of ours on the dock, so we missed that boat by just 2 cars. Waiting an hour for the next ferry, we got to Calabria and made it to our destination, Castrovillari, before the sun set. Didn’t go to Matera, but that’s just beyond Castrovillari. The highway was through mountainous areas, and we were sometimes traversing a road positioned high above a deep valley. Some of the highways were under construction and repaving then, so some parts were down to a single lane and had lots of orange barrels along the route, but traffic was pretty light and moved smoothly despite the construction zones. The following day, we continued through Paestum and on to Salerno, with more construction and high mountain driving. In September, 7 years later, things will hopefully be as good or better on the roads.

Can't speak to the drive TO Matera, but driving IN Matera will be challenging. You'll need to get very detailed directions from your lodging about how to access it.

Thank you all very much. From what we have read Matera appears to be a little difficult with walking, a skiing injury to a knee, and parking looks like an issue also.
Would any of you suggest that we do not visit Matera and drive to the Amalfi coast and enjoy that beautiful area.
Thank you Again

A knee problem (and a car for that matter) will scarcely be any easier on the Amalfi coast--which is vertical and full of steps. You will have to take care of slippery sidewalks in Matera, and I would consider using a walking stick, but you'll be fine. Many of the hotels will offer parking assistance and help with baggage. I wouldn't skip it--it is truly extraordinary. I would also consider booking a tour so you can inform the guide of any walking issues and they can plan accordingly. I recommend Antonio of Matera Tour Guides.

That December 2012 trip was 7 months after double knee-replacement surgery. Your situation may be different, but I took things easy and made it thru Rome, Sicily, Calabria, Amalfi region, and Naples/Pompeii/Herculaneum by going slowly and easily enough. Brought along 2 trekking poles for balance and endurance, plus a lot of Ibuprofin, which is a lot cheaper in the USA than in Europe.

Whether you wind up in Matera or not, definitely stop for a visit at Paestum - the ancient Greek temples there are truly mesmerizing - even if you'll have seen those at Agrigento in Sicily, and it's a more compact site, with less walking.

We've done the drive from Calabria to Matera and to Bari (basically same route until you get to the arch of the foot because of the mountain range). It is 4 hours, but an easy 4 hours. If you like to drive you will be fine. If you don't like to drive and take in the scenery (we even read about towns we pass from Lonely Planet and Blue Guides while we go), it will be challenging.

The construction Cyn mentions from 7 years ago was almost complete when we drove it 2 years ago and the drive was very simple.

Just a thought if you don't go to Matera, up the Calabrian Coast are a number of lovely towns to visit. Scilla, Pizzo, Tropea to name a few.

If you go to Matera, you can park in the upper area of the town. The caves are what will be challenging from a walking standpoint. Do determine if your hotel is in the piazza or in one of the caves to determine your needs. I greatly enjoyed Matera. There is a strong arts community there and it means that the old and the new combine in beautiful ways. It is a growing, more modern city because of all the recent movie action there.