Traveling by car in Italy – features of highways, fuel prices, parking, speed limit, fines and other features of traffic rules in Italy. Attitudes towards alcohol driving and drink driving, as well as the cost of driving on Italian roads. Read the article about everything that may be of interest to a motor traveler.
Do you have to pay tolls on Italian roads?
I’ll start with the bad news. All expressways in Italy are tolls, the toll is based on the distance traveled. For drivers who want to drive for free, there are alternative roads, but all these roads pass through populated areas where the speed limit is in effect. Accordingly, if you choose toll roads, then you will save time, and if you choose free roads, it will take a long time, and you will also spend the same amount of money on fuel as paying for a toll road, and maybe even more if you receive a fine for speeding. If the distance is close to 100 kilometers, then you can drive on free roads, and if it is more than 100 kilometers, then I recommend using toll highways in Italy. It will save your money, time and fuel and nerves.
How to pay for the road in Italy
When you enter the autobahn in Italy, you need to take an entry ticket where it is required, but do not enter the yellow TELEPASS lane .
When you go outside the Autobahn, choose only white or blue lanes. You return the ticket and pay the amount for the distance traveled.
- Yellow stripes are intended only for Telepass customers .
- The blue bars are for self-service with credit cards and Viacard only .
- Self-service white lanes for cash, credit cards and Viacard .
- White stripes with operator service operator for cash, credit cards and Viacard .
Italy also has fully automated payment points. You insert the previously received ticket and the amount to be paid appears on the display. You can pay with cash (notes and coins) and credit card.
When paying for a fare at an automatic point, there is no need to enter the exact amount into the machine. The machine gives change, but only coins. The size of the transfer may be limited.
Barrier-free payment on the A36, A59 and A60 motorways in northern Italy.
What is Telepass?
Telepass is a convenient device that greatly simplifies the life of Italian drivers. With its help, you can quickly and contactlessly pay for motorways, as well as use other services, such as parking and toll zones. This device significantly saves time and makes traveling around Italy more convenient, but you only need it if you often drive long distances on the roads of Italy Tourists and people who visit Italy once a year do not need it.
Tariffs for travel on toll roads in Italy as of 2025
| Motorway | route (distance) | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A 1 | Milan – Napoli (776 km) | € 59.6 |
| A 3 | Naples – Salerno (22 km) | € 2.3 |
| A 4 | Turin – Trieste (528 km) | € 49 |
| A 5 | Torino – Courmayeur (163 км) | € 28 |
| A 6 | Turin – Savona (143 km) | € 10.5 |
| A 7 | Milan – Genoa (145 km) | € 11.1 |
| A 8 | Milan – Varese (46 km) | € 3.4 |
| A 9 | Lainate – Como (41 km) | € 1.99 |
| A 10 | Genoa – Ventimiglia (153 km) | € 18.7 |
| A 11 | Florence – Pisa (82 km) | € 6.2 |
| A 12 | Genoa – Cecina (207 km) | € 24.4 |
| A 13 | Padua – Bologna (112 km) | € 8.5 |
| A 14 | Bologna – Taranto (732 km) | € 56.3 |
| A 15 | Parma – La Spezia (108 km) | € 14.2 |
| A 16 | Naples – Canosa di Puglia (194 km) | € 15.7 |
| A 18 | Messina – Catania (78 km) | € 3.7 |
| A 20 | Messina – Buonfornello (175 km) | € 10.1 |
| A 21 | Turin – Brescia (229 km) | € 25.8 |
| A 22 | Brenner – Modena (306 km) | € 23.7 |
| A 23 | Bicinicco- Tarvisio (94 km) | € 9.3 |
| A 24 | Rome – Teramo (167 km) | € 17.5 |
| A 25 | Torano – Pescara (103 km) | € 11.3 |
| A 26 | Genoa – Gravellona Toce (211 km) | € 17.5 |
| A 27 | Venice – Belluno (90 km) | € 8.4 |
| A 32 | Turin – Bardonecchia (95 km) | € 14.3 |
| A 33 | Cuneo – Carrù (28 km) | € 3.7 |
Toll tunnels of Italy
In addition to toll roads in Italy, there are also toll tunnels:
- Mont Blanc Tunnel – On the border of Italy and France
- Great St. Tunnel Bernard – On the border of Italy and Switzerland
- Frejus Tunnel – On the border of Italy and France
- Munt la Schera tunnel – On the border of Italy and Switzerland
| Tunnel | Motorcycles | Cars | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great St. Bernard Tunnel (IT/CH) | € 18.50 | € 31.00 | letunnel.com |
| Mont Blanc Tunnel (FR/IT) | € 36.40 | € 55.00 | tunnelmb.net |
| Fréjus Tunnel (IT/FR) | € 36.40 | € 55.00 | sftrf.fr |
| Mont la Schera Tunnel (IT/CH) | CHF 11.00 | CHF 15.00 | ekwstrom.abacuscity.ch |
Panoramic road Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road
Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road is a panoramic road with the highest height of 2509 meters above sea level and connects Italy with Austria.
| Transport | Condition | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cars 1 | in one direction/ in two directions | € 19/€ 26 |
| Motorcycles 2 | in one direction/ in two directions | € 17/€ 23 |
| Other vehicles 3 | one way | € 30 |
| Buses 4 | one-way/two-way price per adult per child (from 7 to 15 years old) maximum minimum | € 6 – price for an adult € 4 – price for a child (from 7 to 15 years) € 120-€ 30 |
| Subscription | car/motorcycle | € 85 |
1 max. 9 seats incl. driver, motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes
2 Group discount available for 10 or more motorcycles
3 Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes, trucks etc.
4 as well as all vehicles used for commercial passenger transport such as taxis, rental cars, hotel minibuses, etc. The fare includes the use of the Timmelsoch high mountain road from both the Austrian and Italian sides. The return ticket is valid for the whole season – it does not need to be used on the same day.
There are no restrictions on the use of the Timmelsjoch high road from the Austrian side up to the summit.
However, due to the steep, narrow roads and bridge structures on the Italian side, the following restrictions apply:
- Cars and motorcycles are allowed
- Motorhomes and small trucks are allowed – max. gross weight 8 t, max. width 2.55 m, max. height 4 m
- Small buses are allowed – max. total length 10 m, max. full weight 8 tons.
- Buses with a total length of more than 10 m or a total weight of more than 8 tons are not allowed.
- Trucks with a total weight of more than 8 tons are not allowed
- Trailers longer than 4.5 m are not allowed.
Cyclists
Cyclists using the Timmelsjoch Pass do so at their own risk! Bicycle lights are mandatory.
Do not forget about insurance in Italy
A “green card” for a car in Italy is mandatory for everyone who travels from countries that are not part of the EU and the EEA.
Traveller’s insurance is not required, but I think there is no need to remind you how important it is in any country in the world.
Gas stations and the cost of gasoline in Italy
Italy is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, the price of gasoline is €1.77 (A-95), €1.93 (A-98 ) and diesel €1.65 . At gas stations located on the highway, prices are higher than in populated areas by a couple of cents.
The quality of gasoline and diesel fuel in Italy at all gas stations is good, although it may not be of very good quality in remote cities and villages, but these are the words of local residents. We refueled 16 times in Italy . Four times at the Q8 network gas station , eight times also at the Eni network gas station and four times at Tamoil – in all cases, the gasoline was of decent quality, the car did not cough and drove quite well, despite the mountain serpentines, the total mileage and age.
We saw two types of gasoline in the 1st waist – A95 and A-98 , diesel fuel represented by ordinary diesel and Euro-diesel. Gas is also available, but not at all gas stations and some parking lots prohibit parking cars on gas.
Payments at gas stations are possible with cash and a payment card – VISA, Mastercard and any American cards. Gas stations located in small villages and towns prefer cash – you can only pay in Euros.
Leaving from Udine in northern Italy to Palermo in Sicily , we made approximately 15 stops.
Roads in Italy, quality and features
Roads in Italy are of good quality . If you make the maximum rating – 10, then Italy is on the way to a solid eight. In the south of Italy, the roads are worse than in the north.
About serpentines. Italy is a mountainous country, mountains in the south, mountains in the north, mountains in the east and west. Grief and the sea, isn’t it paradise? If you have never driven in the mountains, then it is better to put someone who has experience driving in mountainous terrain behind the wheel, so as not to expose yourself and others to danger. One quick maneuver will spoil your trip and be remembered for the rest of your life.
Road compliance in 95 percent of cases is of excellent quality. Roads and bridges, tunnels in Italy are built every year, if a year later there will be two lanes where you were driving, and not one, then it is nothing surprising. Italy invests huge amounts in the development of its infrastructure.
When planning a trip by car in Italy, it is worth considering that a distance of one hundred kilometers will have to be driven for two or three hours, this applies to mountain roads.
Italy is covered with high-speed highways, which allows you to reach almost any large city in a short time.
Features of driving in Italy
The driving style is a bit different from what you might be used to in Western Europe. In some places it is similar to driving without rules, but people understand each other. Unlike drivers in other countries, in Italy there is no aggression on the roads. That is, stopping in the middle of the road in front of you without pulling over to the side to talk to a familiar pedestrian is the norm, or run out to get pizza, or bread, or sweets. No indication of turn signals when rebuilding or turning is also the norm for 50 percent of Italian drivers. However, there is no aggression towards each other at the same time – everyone is just patiently waiting for a person to talk to their acquaintance. This is never a sign of disrespect – it’s just the way of driving, the normal norm.
More than half of the cars are FIAT, of course, this is an Italian budget manufacturer supported by Italians, but Audi or Mercedes, in Italy this is a way to show “status”. According to rumors, most of these cars are borrowed.
Police on the roads of Italy
There are police on the roads of Italy , but they don’t bother you because of little things. This means that if the entire flow is speeding by 20-30 km. for an hour, then no one will be stopped. But if an auto-ham appears or you turn across a double lane, you will most likely receive a fine. From my experience, I can say that if you follow the traffic rules and behave decently, you are unlikely to be of interest to the Italian police. You will not be stopped just like that in Italy – during the stop, the policeman is obliged to state the reason for the stop, but foreigners are usually treated loyally.
Parking in Italy
There are many underground parking lots in big cities, along the streets of small towns and beach centers parking is paid. There is not enough space in tourist places in the summer, one night the car was left on the street in the back of the yard next to other Italian cars – no problems, even most of the things remained in the trunk. Most hotels have their own parking, which can be free or paid. Prices for parking in Italy are very high, starting from 0.50 euros and up to 15 euros per hour, it all depends on the commune in which you are located and the season. Fines are issued very quickly, so I recommend paying for parking and not hoping to be lucky enough to park for free.
Parking in Italy is divided into 3 zones:
- Blue Zone – blue parking lines indicate “pay and install” (pay the ticket in the machine and place it under the windshield)
- White Zone – if parking is marked with white lines, it indicates that parking is free.
- Yellow Zone – indicates that this parking is for disabled people or is intended for delivery vehicles
Speed regime in Italy and other features of traffic rules in Italy
In Italy there are the following speed limits:
- within the settlement – 40 km/h
- outside the settlement – 80 km/h
- on the road – 90 km/h
- on the highway – 130 km/h
The permissible level of alcohol in the blood in Italy is 0.5 ppm , the fine is from 543 euros to 6000 euros, it all depends on the amount of alcohol. They won’t stop you just like that without violations, but it’s better not to test fate for strength, because it will become the most expensive vacation of yours
Dipped headlights in Italy are mandatory only in the evening and at night, or outside populated areas, when passing through a tunnel, or during snow or rain. It is not necessary to turn on the lights during the day, even the dimensions.
Children younger than 12 years old and less than 150 cm tall must be transported in special car seats. Seat belts are also mandatory for both front and rear passengers.
You can use the phone while driving only if you have a hands-free system.
Road infrastructure in Italy
By infrastructure, we mean road signs, markings, the number of roadside gas stations, places to eat and sleep, roadside parking and lookout points.
In Italy, all this is not bad, considering that the country is one of the world leaders in tourism. Gas stations are quite close to cities, and there are also enough of them on mountainous sections of roads. General advice, leave the place of overnight stay with a full tank or at least enough gas to reach the next settlement – Italy is quite a large country in the distance, and given the traffic jams and the heat outside, it will be more reliable if you have a full tank of fuel in the car.
All roads in Italy , including inside the populated areas, are equipped with the number of road signs, which is enough to drive around the country without a navigator, only with a paper map. It is impossible to get lost, even if you suffer from geographical cretinism.
There are many roadside cafes and restaurants. I wanted to write that only in tourist places, but in fact this is the case throughout the country. Add here the quality of products – although in Italy they have learned to add chemicals to food, many products are of very good quality without chemicals.
There are also a lot of mini-hotels and inns, camping sites, motels, hostels. Theoretically, you can book rooms during the peak season (July, August), and especially in August, when the Italians themselves go on vacation to the south of Italy. But with the format of a road trip through several countries, in which there is no extra time, it is still better to plan in advance. Not all booking options are available on Booking,
There are occasional pockets of parking and observation decks on the mountain passes, which are also no problem, as are views of the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas.
Criminals on the roads in Italy
I will most likely disappoint adventure seekers – in Italy, the crime rate is much lower than, for example, in the Catalan Barcelona . Of course, in big cities such as Naples, Rome, Milan, Turin, it is quite dangerous at dark, especially at train stations and in remote areas. It is safe everywhere in tourist places. In general, Italians are kind and responsive, smiling people, especially the owners of small guest houses, cafes, and restaurants. Interacted often with the locals, including shepherds in the mountains, gas stations, men drinking morning coffee in cafes and the family we stayed with in Sorrento.
In Italy, never leave personal belongings in the car. This applies to glasses, a video recorder, a laptop, a camera, a backpack. If your windows are darkened, this will not save you either, but on the contrary, it will interest criminals. Take all your things with you or hide them in the trunk. Your window will 100% be broken and everything will be taken away. The police will not look for anyone, because these are common crimes in Italy, the perpetrators of which are not only Italians, but also emigrants from other countries. Truck drivers are also hunted in parking lots during overnight stays and can steal not only fuel, but also the cargo you are transporting. Therefore, I recommend parking cars in parking lots that are guarded or that are illuminated around the clock, although the police periodically visit such parking lots and monitor people’s peace.
Emergency numbers in Italy
If you are in serious trouble and need help in Italy, the only European emergency number is 112 , a free number to dial without any prefixes: the operator will put you in touch with the service you need.
For needs limited to specific areas, you can also call the following numbers:
- State police: 113 (road accidents, thefts, etc.).
- Fire brigade: 115 (fires, emergencies).
- Urgent and fast medical assistance: 118 (needs related to health). This number should also be remembered during rescue operations in mountains or caves.
- Forest protection: 1515
- Rescue at sea: 1530
Mandatory equipment in the car in Italy
- reflective vest , which is worn when stopping the car
- reflective triangle , which is placed a few meters from the car in case of breakdown
- anti-skid chains , only in winter and if our car does not have winter tires
Is it possible to transport gasoline/diesel fuel to Italy?
You can carry a maximum of 10 liters in a canister, in addition to the fuel contained in the car’s tank. This rule applies to any type of vehicle.
Is it possible to bring food and alcohol to Italy?
Products can be transported if they will be used for personal consumption, but in limited quantities.
Alcohol is also allowed within the limits, but I also did not see my number of bottles of wine being checked. I did not abuse the trust of the customs officers whom I respect. But in Italy there is a lot of alcohol of different colors and tastes and prices, so I believe that there is no need to bring anything to Italy.
As a rule, excise taxes must be paid in the country of consumption of alcohol and tobacco. However, there are exceptions for private citizens traveling from one EU country to another. Exceptions apply if products purchased are for personal use and not for resale. Taxes (VAT and excise duty) are included in the price of the product in the country where you purchased it, so you don’t have to pay anything else in another EU country.
However, to determine whether products are purchased for personal use, EU customs may check several things, such as whether you own or work in a business, or how the products are packaged and transported. They will also take into account the number of products at your disposal. For this reason, each EU country can set its own guidelines for the amount of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages you can bring.
Amount of alcoholic beverages and tobacco allowed to be imported between EU countries
| Product | Number |
|---|---|
| Cigarettes | 800 pieces (40 packs/ 4 blocks) |
| Cigars (cigars weighing up to 3 grams per piece) | 400 |
| Cigars | 200 |
| Tobacco | 1 kg |
| Spirits (such as whiskey or gin) | 10 liters |
| Fortified wine (such as sherry or port) | 20 liters |
| Wine | 90 liters (of which only 60 liters can be sparkling) |
| Beer | 110 liters |
Rules between EU countries
Amount of alcoholic beverages and tobacco allowed to be imported into the EU from a third country
| Product | Number |
|---|---|
| Cigarettes | 40 pieces (2 packs) |
| Cigars (cigars weighing up to 3 grams per piece) | 20 |
| Cigars | 10 |
| Tobacco | 50 grams |
| Spirits (such as whiskey or gin) | 1 liter |
| Fortified wine (such as sherry or port) | 2 liters |
| Wine | 4 liters (of which only 2 liters can be sparkling) |
| Beer | 16 liters |
Rules for citizens of non-EU countries
Have a nice trip by car to Italy!