Visiting Rome via automobile

Gee, Rome is kind of big. Where are you staying?

Or are you only going for the day from somewhere else?

jm,

Rome is not the best place to drive as the traffic can be brutal at times, and you'd need to avoid the ZTL (limited traffic) areas to avoid hefty fines. If you choose "the wrong" parking location, you could end up LIKE THIS (this photo was taken in Rome).

My grandson lives in Vicenza so he is driving us down to Rome. He's been to Florence and Pompeii but not Rome yet
and he thought he would park outside of Rome somewhere. Is there transportation we can get outside of Rome? He said he won't drive IN Rome. We are staying probably just over night. We don't have a place picked out yet. Any suggestions?

Found this by Googling parking rome: http://www.reidsitaly.com/destinations/lazio/rome/planning/to_car.html. Scroll down the page to verify what others have said and for parking advice, including prices.

For an overnight stay I'd forget the car and take the train. That would eliminate a tremendous amount of logistical headaches. The train might cost a little more than driving, but not if you get a big ticket or get towed. Peace of mind and convenience are worth a reasonable amount to me. And riding the trains in Italy can be an experience if you've not done so.

If you are coming down the Via Salaria there are two large underground car parks just (I say JUST) before the restricted area, a public one near the Spanish Steps under that end of the Villa Borghese (Parcheggio Villa Borghese http://www.sabait.it/en/parking/attractions/galleria-borghese ) and a private one, Parking Ludovisi (I am unaware of its website), on the street with the same name. I have used both. The spaces were tiny but I fit my car in. The prices were high but cheaper than risking a ticket in the ZTL, and in those days I was staying 5 star or better so the price was less important. I think a week at the Ludovisi ran something over €140 but it has been several years. I have just checked and the Parcheggio Villa Borghese cost is €2.20 per hour or part hour, €18 per day. You can take the escalator out to the Spagna Metro.

The charges will be steep, as will be the tolls on the A4 and A1 all the way from Vicenza.

Are you aware of just how cheap the high speed train can be, and that it can travel over 300 kph while a car is limited (at best) to 130 kph?

Thanks for all the info from everyone. I will pass on to my grandson whom I'm sure knows or would find out about
the advantage of taking the public transportation instead of driving. Interesting from the one who gave info about the
parking areas and the price. Thank you!

Where do you need to go? There are parking garages everywhere, including in the city center.