Bolzano to Munich-which way?

Both are scenic and longer than they would appear on a map, but the second route is much longer. In October, you will have significantly fewer daylight hours to explore, so I would take the 1st route, unless you really wanted to see the castles near Füssen. Don't even think of wasting time in Reutte. Just so you are aware, you will need to purchase a vignette sticker to drive through Austria.

Good advice on the Mittenwald route Tom. And your mention of the vignette requirement is correct. However, as long as you stay off the Brennerautobahn and take the original pass road down to Innsbruck (yes, it is twisty and turny but damn scenic!) and connect to the 171 to the 177 to Scharnitz you can dodge the vignette and its associated fee as it is an Autobahn vignette.

Both routes are going to be beautiful. We have done the Brenner Pass route a couple of times and liked it. You might want to check the routes on Via Micelin, they do driving times that are usually pretty accurate. Todd is right about being able to avoid the autobahns and not need a vignette in Austria but a short time vignette only costs a few bucks and if you are caught on an autobahn without one it is very or very very expensive and they do have lots of cameras. Based on a recent post, in the future I will not only continue to buy the vignettes, I will also save the receipt and take a time stamped photo of it properly displayed on the car. Also you must have an IDP in Austria.

Thanks for the responses. I will stick with the shorter route. Also, thanks for the reminder about the vignette. On the first half of my trip I am also driving through Austria so I will need to buy a vignette. I will check out the michelin website to calculate time.