Cortona to Davos: Epic Road Trip Through Tuscany to Alps

The drive from Cortona (43.2752° N, 11.9881° E) to Davos (46.7999° N, 9.8490° E) spans roughly 520 kilometers, crossing the Apennines, the Po Valley, and the Swiss Alps. A little-known fact: the route passes within 20 km of the birthplace of the Renaissance at Florence, yet most drivers speed by on the A1. This guide breaks down every facet of the journey, answering your core questions: how long to drive Cortona to Davos (about 6 hours without stops), best stops Cortona to Davos, and is it worth driving Cortona to Davos — absolutely, for the dramatic shift from cypress-lined Tuscan hills to snow-dusted Swiss chalets.

For a broader approach to uncovering hidden gems, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Road quality is excellent on major highways, but winter conditions (Nov-Mar) require winter tires and chains. Tunnels: the Arlberg Tunnel (Austria) is long and often congested; keep headlights on. Night illumination: Italian motorways have good lighting; Swiss A13 is less lit after Landquart. Family stops: Parco Natura Viva near Verona (a safari park) and Swiss Science Center Technorama near Winterthur (a short detour). Pet-friendly: many rest stops in Italy have designated dog areas; in Switzerland, Café du Midi in Davos allows dogs.

• Fatigue zones: Autogrill Chianti (A1, km 300) has secluded parking for naps.
• Raststation Brenner (A22, just before pass) offers quiet rest rooms.
• For dogs: walk at Lake Resia (detour) or Laret floodplain near Davos.

Hidden Off-Route Gems

Just 5 min from the A1 exit at Arezzo: the abandoned medieval village of Montecchio Vesponi. In Austria, the ruins of Hauenstein Castle near Sillian. Switzerland: the ghost village of Juf (highest inhabited settlement in Europe, 10 min detour from A13).

The geographical shift is staggering: from the rolling hills of Tuscany (Cortona’s olive groves and Etruscan ruins) to the Po Valley’s expansive farmlands, then the abrupt rise of the Dolomites and the Swiss Alps. UNESCO sites within reach: the historic centers of Florence (30 min detour from A1) and Verona (neatly off the A22), both easily integrated. Also, the Bernina Range near Davos is part of the Rhaetian Railway UNESCO site (a short side trip from Davos).

• Val di Chiana (near Cortona): scenic drive with cypress rows and vineyards.
• Lake Garda (detour from A22): stop at Sirmione for a quick dip or views.
• Brenner Pass: switchback roads, remarkable geological fault lines visible.
• Landquart to Davos: the Landwasser valley’s dramatic cliffs and viaducts.

Local Commerce and Culinary Delights

Roadside stalls near Cortona sell pecorino cheese and olive oil. In the Po Valley, look for Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar. Swiss side: Bündnerfleisch (air-dried beef) and Engadiner Nusstorte (nut cake). Notable eateries: Ristorante Da Guido in Arezzo (near A1), Gasthof Krone in Sillian (Austria, near A13), and Restaurant Alte Post in Davos.

The journey uses motorways for the majority: from Cortona, take the A1 north towards Florence, then continue on the A1 to Bologna. Near Bologna, switch to the A22 (Brenner Highway) heading north to Verona and Trento. At the Brenner Pass, cross into Austria and take the A13 to Innsbruck, then follow the E43 through the Arlberg Tunnel into Switzerland, ending on the A13/E43 to Davos. Toll costs: Italian sections require a Telepass or manual payment (approx. €25 total), Austrian vignette (€10 for 10 days), and Swiss vignette (€40). Fuel economy: expect 7-8 L/100km for a medium car; total fuel cost roughly €80-100.

• Fuel stations: frequent on A1/A22 (every 30 km), sparse after Brenner (plan ahead).
• Necessary vignettes: buy Austrian and Swiss at border crossings.
• Speed limits: Italy 130 km/h, Austria 130 km/h, Switzerland 120 km/h.