Assisi to Krems an der Donau: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The road from Assisi to Krems an der Donau covers 680 km of dramatic shifts — from the limestone Apennines to the flat Po Valley, then over the Brenner Pass into the Austrian Alps, finally descending into the Wachau wine region. The A1 motorway through Italy and the A13/E45 over the Brenner are the main arteries. A peculiar local driving quirk: near the Brenner, strong crosswinds can suddenly hit, especially in autumn.

This guide takes you through essential stops, fuel economics, UNESCO sites, and safe rest spots. For more on discovering unique stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The trip follows the A1 highway from Assisi past Florence and Bologna, then the A22 Brenner motorway into Austria. After the border, the A13 connects to the A1 again near Salzburg, then east via the A1 to Krems. Toll roads in Italy require a Telepass or ticket; Austria requires a vignette (buy online or at border stations).

• Fuel cost estimate: €0.12-0.15/km, total around €80-100 for gasoline (July 2025 prices).
• Fuel stations are frequent on Italian autostrade (every 20-30 km), but on Austrian motorways intervals increase to 40-50 km, so fill up in Italy before the Brenner.
• Efficiency tip: use cruise control at 110 km/h on the flats, reduce to 90 km/h on mountain sections to save 10-15% fuel.
• Diesel cars get better mileage on this hilly route; avoid using AC on climbs.

Parking in Krems is well organized: free at Parkplatz Krems-Süd then shuttle, or paid at Altstadt garages. For Assisi, designated parking at Piazza Giovanni Paolo II (€0.50/hour).

The drive begins in the rolling Umbrian hills with olive groves and cypress trees. As you cross the Apennines, the landscape becomes rugged with deep valleys. North of Bologna, the Po Valley stretches flat and agricultural. The Brenner section climbs through alpine meadows and pine forests, with the Europa Bridge a striking concrete landmark. Descending into Austria, the Inn Valley opens up, then the Danube valley near Melk becomes terraced with vineyards.

• Geographical shifts: from Mediterranean maquis (Assisi) to alpine tundra (Brenner) to continental lowlands (Krems).
• Best scenic sunset: near the Brenner Pass at the Stubaital viewpoint (exit Stubaital).
• Local commerce: in Vipiteno (Sterzing) just south of Brenner, stop at a farmer's market for speck and cheese. Near Krems, buy apricot jam and wine from Wachau.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route: the Historic Centre of Siena (detour +30 min), Ferrara (near A1), and the Wachau Cultural Landscape (including Krems). Also, the Brenner Railway is a tentative UNESCO site. For a short detour, visit the Abbey of Melk (UNESCO) just 10 km off the A1 before Krems.

The Italian autostrade are well maintained with good night illumination near cities. In the Alps, some tunnels have reduced speed limits (80 km/h) and poor cell reception. Austrian motorways are excellent but have sharp curves near the Danube.

• Family stops: near Bolzano, the MUSE Science Museum (detour 10 min) is fantastic for kids. Near Linz, the Ars Electronica Center (interactive digital arts).
• Pet-friendly: at the Brenner border, there is a designated rest area with fenced dog run. In Krems, many cafes along the Danube have water bowls.
• Fatigue management: The Raststätte Samnaun (Italian side) has a quiet room. After Brenner, the Raststation Schönberg (Austria) offers reclining chairs.

Hidden off-route spots: 5 minutes off the A1 near Lucca, the walled village of Montecarlo (free parking, panoramic view). In Austria, 5 min from A1 near Ybbs, the ruin of Persenbeug Castle (short walk).