Gozo to Ancona Road Trip: Ferries, Farms, and Footprints

The road from Gozo to Ancona is not a single highway but a tapestry of two ferry crossings, four Italian regions, and 1,200 kilometers of history. This journey begins on an island where the Phoenicians once traded and ends at a port that connected the Roman Empire to the East. The most peculiar fact about this route: the shortest distance between Gozo and Italy’s boot is only 90 kilometers (by sea to Pozzallo), but the drive adds 300 extra kilometers due to the shape of Sicily’s coastline. Every mile matters.

The route code is a mix of Maltese secondary roads, SS115 in Sicily, and the A14 autostrada in Italy. Driving time from Mgarr Harbour (Gozo) to Ancona’s ferry terminal is around 14 hours without stops, but you should plan for a full day and a half. The fastest way involves the Catania–Messina ferry to Villa San Giovanni, cutting Sicily’s eastern coast. But the slower, more scenic option via Palermo and the Tyrrhenian coast offers better best stops for families and pet owners. How long to drive Gozo to Ancona depends entirely on which ferry you take across the Strait of Messina: the 20-minute shuttle or the 2-hour coastal route.

Is it worth driving Gozo to Ancona? For those seeking a blend of Mediterranean sun, volcanic landscapes, and Renaissance cities, yes. The journey unfolds through UNESCO-protected Baroque towns, Marsala’s salt pans, and the wild Sila National Park. For more insight on optimizing such an itinerary, read how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. Below is a quick snapshot of the route’s key metrics.

Italian autostradas are well-maintained but can be chaotic near Naples if you choose that route. Stick to the A14, which is quiet and patrolled. In Sicily, single-carriageway roads like SS115 require caution with overtaking. Child seats are mandatory, and pets must travel in a crate or with a harness in the back seat. Many services along the A14 have designated pet areas with waste bags.

Best family stops: the Etnaland theme park near Catania, or the Zoomarine in Puglia. For pets, the Parco Nazionale del Gargano has trails that allow dogs on leash. Fatigue management: plan to stop every two hours. The Autogrill Villaggio Matrimonio near Foggia has a bar, clean toilets, and a small playground. Hidden off-route: the abandoned village of Craco in Basilicata, or the sea caves of Polignano a Mare (accessible by kayak).

• Rest zones: A14 west areas ‘Murge’ (km 650) and ‘Sambuco’ (km 780).
• Child-friendly: Parco Avventura Fossa Nera (Pollino) and Safari Zoo in Fasano.
• Pet stops: ‘Agriturismo due Palme’ in Calabria allows pets and has a fenced garden.
• Road quality: A14 excellent; SS115 fair with occasional potholes. No tolls in Sicily.

Sicily’s SS115 winds past the Baroque towns of Ragusa and Modica, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The stone architecture gleams gold at sunset, and the Cava d'Ispica canyon offers hiking trails. Further north, the Nebrodi Mountains present forests of oak and beech, a stark contrast to the coastal palm trees. In Calabria, the Pollino National Park is Italy’s largest, with jagged peaks and the rare Bosnian pine.

Basilicata’s portion (optional detour) includes the Sassi di Matera, another UNESCO gem. On the A14, the Gargano Peninsula juts into the Adriatic, with the Tremiti Islands visible on clear days. Local commerce thrives at roadside ‘sfuso’ shops selling olive oil, honey, and licorice. In Puglia, the town of Trani offers fresh seafood and the iconic Romanesque cathedral.

• UNESCO Sites: Valletta (Malta), Modica, Ragusa, Matera (detour).
• Natural Highlights: Iblean Mountains, Nebrodi, Pollino, Gargano coast.
• Local markets: Modica’s chocolate shops, Polignano a Mare’s gelato.

The journey begins on Gozo at Mgarr Harbour, where the Gozo Channel ferry departs every 45 minutes to Cirkewwa, Malta. From there, drive to Valletta’s Grand Harbour to catch the Virtu Ferries catamaran to Pozzallo, Sicily. This catamaran runs daily, but book at least 24 hours ahead in summer. Once in Pozzallo, join the SS115 heading north.

Fuel stops are abundant on the A14, but in Sicily stations can be sparse between towns. Fill up at Modica or by the Iblean Mountains. The A14 tolls from Bari to Ancona cost around €35. For budget planning, consider fuel costs: petrol in Italy averages €1.85/L, and the car will consume roughly 80 liters for the drive. Parking in Ancona’s city center costs €1.50–2.00 per hour; overnight garages near the port charge €15–20.

• Ferry 1: Gozo Channel (Mgarr–Cirkewwa) – 25 min, €4.65 (foot passenger, car extra).
• Ferry 2: Virtu Ferries (Valletta–Pozzallo) – 1h45min, €49 per person, car extra €85.
• Ferry 3 (optional): Messina–Villa San Giovanni (Strait) – 20 min, €2.50 per car.
• Documents: UK driving permit valid; Maltese and Italian vignettes not required.