Travel by car from Le Spezia to Montepulciano

The drive from La Spezia to Montepulciano via the “fast route” will probably take you close to 3 hours. A slower route could take 4 or more. Stopping in Lucca is probably not worth it- you’d only have an hour or 2 to spend walking around (in the heat). We never leave luggage in a parked car. You would have to park outside the walls in a lot. Your choice. If you do- make sure you take all valuables with you and leave nothing visible in the car.

By the time you get checked out of your lodging in Vernazza, take train to La Spezia, then get to the rental pick up and on the road it could already be close to noon.
There are several routes you could take that are very scenic- use Google maps or viamichelin to choose your route.

Do you have parking at your lodgings in Montepulciano? You can’t drive into the town.
Make sure you do your homework on driving in Italy- ZTLs, speed cameras, parking, etc.
All drivers must have an IDP- get it before you leave home at your local AAA. It is required by law.

A car will be handy and you almost need it to get to Montepulciano- use it while you are there to explore the Val D’Orcia region- that is the one of most scenic areas of Tuscany

Thank you so much for the information. Have the IDL and parking is available as we are staying outside the city. Will look further into a faster way to go as it sounds as if stopping along the way is not a great option.

If you are hesitant about driving have you considered training to someplace closer and renting from there? I realize it lacks the romantic idea of driving across Tuscany but the fast route is mostly freeways and the scenic route is probably 4-5 hours of small roads and potential confusion.

Unfortunately it won't be faster but many people use Chuisi - specifically Chuisi-Chianciano Terme - as a car rental location because it is about 45 minutes driving from Montepulicano. Assuming you return the car to the same location you also skip the drop off charge for using a different location. The best case from La Spezia to Chuisi is probably 4 hours on the train - changing Florence - and then renting the car from there. Arezzo is another possibility and even Siena is another for the maximum drive opportunity.

The problem with this plan is that La Spezia is mostly served by slower regionale trains and so are these smaller town stations so while the fast trains zoom between cities renting cars in the those places means dealing with the big city.

It's just a suggestion but I'd consider it. My hesitation with your plan is you are obligated to make that drive whole drive to make your reservation. Starting closer allows you to ease into the driving experience is likely to much less stressful. By the end you may be a fully comfortable Italian driver - complete with hand gestures - but it would be on your schedule.

Either way have a great trip,
=Tod

Thank you so much for the suggestions. Chuisa is where we are/were planning on leaving the car off a our accommodations are close by. I would re-look at the train schedules..not sure if going to Pisa and then train from there would offer more options.

We are doing this exact same thing, except staying in Pienza (coming from Vernazza, too). It makes more sense to train from Vernazza to Chuisi to get a car since we are returning it there. Last time we did it, we went to La Spezia, then a taxi to car rental place, then got lost trying to drive out of La Spezia. If you never drove in Italy, I would not recommend starting in a crowded city. So glad this was posted, I never thought of going direct to Chiusi. Car rentals are across the street from the train. Much easier!

We will check out the trains..should we buy ahead of time or the day we leave. I have heard to some issues with strikes by workers etc.
Also, We are staying some of our trip near Montepulciano but need another accommodation for one night and we were thinking in Pienza area..any suggestions?

Since you will be in Vernazza, you could get the tickets the day before, at your leisure since the station gets very crowded when the trains come in. Or get them in the morning, just go in between the crowds.
Here is where we are staying in Pienza. There is parking very close by. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/207961?source_impression_id=p3_1752337534_P3Ci_U8uw3XQdCPm

Not sure if it will matter, but check hours as Aug 30 is a Saturday and rental office hours could be limited.
Maybe instead of driving out if La Spezia, Pisa airport would be easier, if you want to avoid a long train journey with a tight timeline.

but check hours as Aug 30 is a Saturday and rental office hours could
be limited.

The rental agencies in Chiusi will close at 12/12:30 on Saturday. You would be hard pressed to get there by train before they close.

Honestly the drive across Tuscany is easy- the roads are good and not crowded.
From Pisa airport it's maybe 2.5-3 hours. Your choices of cars will be better at the airport and I wouldn't worry about a drop off fee. We have never been charged a drop off fee in Italy. If you are it won't be much - less than 50 euros I'd guess?

Also, We are staying some of our trip near Montepulciano but need
another accommodation for one night and we were thinking in Pienza
area..any suggestions?

Pienza is lovely- it's only a 20 min drive from Montepulciano. Parking will be an issue there- but there are a few hotels just outside the walls that offer parking. Check booking.com.
We prefer to stay in Pienza now- will be there again in October.
I doubt this place has availability at this late date- but worth a try.
https://piccolohotellavalle.com/it

Also try this one- just down the hill bit, walkable distance to center:
https://www.a440intuscany.com

You will want to get that night lodging nailed down asap.

Since you will be in Vernazza, you could get the tickets the day before, at your leisure since the station gets very crowded when the trains come in. Or get them in the morning, just go in between the crowds.

Install the Trenitalia app on your phone - no need to wait in line to purchase tickets for the train..

Thank you so much for all the replies and suggestions..was not aware of early closing time to get a car in Chiusi so need to adjust my thoughts. Did not think to go to the airport/Pisa for a car instead of LaSpezia. Is one less complicated than the other? It looks like from Pisa would be a shorter drive.

In general all car rental agencies close around noon on Saturday, closed on Sunday and close mid day 12-4ish

Typically agencies at airports and train stations will be open all day, every day
Some train stations agencies may close Sunday or mid day as above

You can check their hours on Google or AutoEurope

Pisa airport agencies will be open all day and have the best car selection.
Haven’t picked up there but getting on the road safely from airports is usually well signed and quite easy

I don’t know the agency locations La Spezia, but in general driving away from an airport is easier than driving out of an urban area. I’ve rented out of Pisa airport twice and it’s not difficult. It’s a small airport and you’ll zip right away.

Thank you so much for all the information!