Den Bosch to Treviso Road Trip Guide: Scenic Drive Through Europe

The A2 highway begins in Den Bosch, home to the medieval St. John's Cathedral. This 1,100 km route to Treviso passes through Germany, Austria, and Italy, crossing the Brenner Pass.

Driving time averages 11-13 hours without stops. The route uses the A2, A67, A3, A8, A93, A1, and A22 highways.

Here, you experience a transition from the flat Dutch landscape to the Alpine peaks and finally the Venetian plains, making it a journey worth driving.

Fuel costs vary; expect around €150-€180 for a standard sedan. Diesel engines are more efficient for the Alpine grades.

• Fuel station density is high on German autobahns (every 30-50 km), but sparse in rural Austria (every 60 km).
• In Italy, stations are frequent along the A22, but many close for lunch (12:30-15:00).
• Toll roads: German sections are free, Austrian autobahn requires a vignette (€9.90 for 10 days), and Italian A22 is tolled (approx. €25).

Rest stops like Raststätte in Germany often include play areas and clean facilities. In Austria, Raststationen have restaurants.

You experience three distinct landscapes: the Dutch polders, the German Mittelgebirge, and the Dolomites. The most dramatic shift occurs after Munich, where the Alps rise abruptly.

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Historic Centre of Vienna is a 2-hour detour, but the Wachau Cultural Landscape (Austria) is closer to the route, accessible via a 30-minute detour from the A1 near Melk.
• Along the A22 in South Tyrol, you pass near the Dolomites, a UNESCO site, but no direct roadside access.

Local commerce includes buying Speck from South Tyrol, or Venetian lace at roadside stalls near Treviso.

The route is generally safe with well-maintained roads. However, the Brenner Pass can have heavy truck traffic and fog. Night driving is well-lit on German and Austrian highways, but not on winding Italian sections.

• Family-friendly stops: Playmobil FunPark (Zirndorf, near Nuremberg) is a 10-minute detour off the A3. Swarovski Kristallwelten (Wattens) is near the A12 in Austria.
• Pet-friendly: Autobahn rest stops in Germany allow dogs on leash; in Austria, Raststationen often have designated pet areas. Dog-friendly cafes in Innsbruck near the highway.

Fatigue management: Recommended rest zones include Raststätte Allgäuer Tor (A7 near Memmingen) and Autogrill Brennero (A22 just south of the pass). For a quick nap, park at truck stops with secure parking.

Hidden off-route spots: The abandoned village of Absam (Austria, 5 min from A12) offers ruins. The smallest church in the world, the Chapel of St. Justina, is near the A22 exit at Brixen.