Rome to Sicily in My Leased Car

Phyllis, I can't help at all with your driving questions, but since you mention two months in Sicily and that's not your only house-sitting assignment, I want to be sure you're aware of the time limitations for Americans (and I think also Canadians) visiting the Schengen Zone. Unless you have arranged a long-stay visa, you are limited to 90 days in the Schengen Zone within any 180-day period. Overstaying that limit is a very, very bad idea, because you may be subject to substantial fines and can be banned from the entire area for an extended period.

Most of what we think of as "Western Europe"--except for the UK--falls within the Schengen Zone.

Why don't you leave your car parked in Sorrento and use buses, ferries and trains to visit the Amalfi Coast villages, Pompeii and Naples?
One worried about the Amalfi Coast road should definetely stay on the A3 motorway going south through the mountains. If I were you I'd probably avoid driving in any sicilian city.

Does your car insurance cover damages on the ferries?

Why not return the car in Rome before you go to Sicily? Fly to Catania, then rent or lease another car for the 2 months in Ragusa.

I have driven the Amalfi coast off season and there was very little traffic and I'm looking forward to the drive again in the beginning of December. If you are a careful driver and are patient and aware of traffic, you shouldn't have any problems. My biggest complaint would be the cyclists who, even when they would be able, refuse to let cars pass them. If you are in doubt about driving the coast, take a round trip bus tour from Sorrento and then bypass the coast to head south. Drive back to Pompeii on the SS145 and then take the A3 to Salerno and the SP417>SP262>SP175 down the coast to Paestum. If you feel uncomfortable, don't drive the Amalfi coast road. On your return trip from Sicily, just stay on the Autostrade and you'll avoid the coast road again.

Thanks for the suggestions. Acraven, my stay involves only 70 days on the continent, after a couple of weeks in the UK. But thanks for that info. . . as I am always getting offers to house-sit and must think about the 90-day rule. Thanks to darioalb and Philip for suggesting parking my car to take a bus tour from Sorrento to see the Amalfi Coast. That sounds like a better idea. I'm not as intimated by driving the rest of the way. As for driving in Sicily, I am required to have a car (as a house-pet-sitter, I must be ready to deal with emergencies). . .but I don't plan to use it if I don't have to.

The driver does not do much 'sightseeing' while driving the AC. Only a passenger can gawk at and enjoy the scenery.
The road itself is fine.

A bit off topic, but if you are house/pet sitting, that implies the owner/resident is gone. Why do they not let you use their car?

You could also base in Salerno without a car, see the Amalfi Coast by bus/ferry and really enjoy the views. If you are not stopping on the way from Roma to Sorrento, a fast train from Roma to Napoli and then the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento would work, too; but I would base in Salerno instead.

Then pick up the car on your way to Paestum, take the long coast drive to Villa San Giovanni for the ferry (make sure your insurance covers the ferry journey).