Travel between Rome and the Dolomites

Europeans have mastered the pit stops on the autostrada. You will find gas stations, food stops and more every few miles along the highway. It’s an easy exit off and back on. We actually look forward to our road trip days and to see all of the gems that we find at the Autogrills.

That being said, it’s a nice/ easy train ride also. I might be inclined to take the train to Venice and pick up the car there for the rest of the drive.

Italian rest stops/autogrills are great!
Much better than the fast food places on US highways, the Italian ones have a variety of good, fresh food.

Thanks to you both. That is very helpful. Shari

The train is considerably faster and possibly cheaper, especially if you buy tickets in advance at a discounted fare (Supereconomy or Economy fare). If you plan to go straight from Rome to the Dolomites, I would say that the train is the better option. Actually you might even consider taking the train to Verona or even Bolzano, instead of Venice, and rent the car in those cities. But that depends on where in the Dolomites you intend to go. If Cortina is your first destination, then Venice makes sense.

I would drive from Rome only if you plan to visit places en route (like Tuscany).

Regarding food and gas on the freeways. When you enter the freeway system you pick up a ticket at the toll booth (you will need that ticket to pay toll when you exit the freeway system). Once in the system you don’t exit the freeway like in the US for gas and food. Along the freeway there are rest stops, like in American interstate freeways, where (unlike in America) there are all kind of services, like gas, restaurants (mostly Autogrill chain or Chef Express chain), supermarkets, and at some locations, even hotels, all inside the freeway system. Such rest areas are located every few miles along the freeway and they are called AREA DI SERVIZIO (service area). This is an example.
After you see the very convenient and great rest stops in Italy you will probably wonder why we don’t have the same along our Interstate highways in America. The reason is that when the Interstate highway system was created lawmakers prohibited the commercialization of rest stops by States to protect local communities and passed a federal law prohibiting such things in the US Interstate system. There are some who would would like to repeal such federal law, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Some info about it here

Thanks so much. I am learning a lot from all of you who so generously share your knowledge. : ) Shari

Are you planning to make stops along the way and see things? Apart from stops "to use a bathroom or to pick up a snack or lunch"? If not, take the train. The 5:40 mentioned by Google maps will be at least 6-7 hours in reality. More if you're adding stops.

The train on the other hand will be cheaper, easier, faster and in general a nicer trip. You can also use the bathroom or pick up a snack while moving. Although, depending on where in the Dolomites you are going you might want to consider picking up a car in Verona instead, or somewhere else. Venice is a bit of detour.