Kufstein to Savona Road Trip: Alpine Coast Drive

The A12 Inntal Autobahn begins just south of Kufstein’s 13th-century fortress, winding through the Inn Valley towards Italy. A little-known fact: the Brenner Pass, 116 km into this journey, holds the record for the highest railway tunnel in the Alps, but the road itself crests at 1,374 meters. This route from Kufstein to Savona covers 590 km in roughly 6.5 hours without stops, but the real experience lies in the transitions—from Alpine pastures to Mediterranean palms.

Road quality is excellent, but the Brenner descent has steep grades and sharp tunnels. Night illumination is present on most highways, but A6 mountain sections have dim stretches. Use high beams cautiously in the Apennines due to wildlife crossings.

• Child-friendly: the Enchanted Land amusement park near Bolzano; the Verona Adventure Park for zip-lining.
• Pet-friendly: Autogrill stops near Trento and Modena have designated dog areas; many allow pets inside.
• Fatigue stops: rest areas at Brenner (km 116) and after Verona (km 300) with picnic tables; consider a nap at the Novara service area (km 420).

The route splits into three distinct segments: Austrian Inn Valley (A12), Italian Brenner and Adige Valley (A22), and the Ligurian coast (A10). From Kufstein, take the A12 west to Innsbruck, then A13 south over Brenner Pass to Vipiteno, Italy. Continue on A22 past Bolzano and Verona, pick up the A4 west to Turin, then A6 south to Savona. Toll gates appear at the Brenner Pass (€8.50) and Italian motorways (€15–€20).

• Key junctions: A12 exit Kufstein-Süd, A13 exit Brenner, A22 exit Bolzano Sud, A4 exit Torino, A6 exit Savona.
• Fuel stations are plentiful every 30–40 km on Austrian and Italian highways. However, the A22 section near Bolzano has gaps of 50 km between exits with petrol.
• Best fuel strategy: Fill up in Austria (cheaper by €0.10–€0.15 per liter) before the descent into Italy.

From Kufstein to the Brenner Pass, towering limestone cliffs and pine forests dominate. The A22 then drops into the Adige Valley, famous for apple orchards and vineyards. South of Verona, the landscape flattens into Po Valley farmland. Finally, the A6 snaking through the Apennines reveals hazy views of the Ligurian Sea.

• UNESCO World Heritage: the Dolomites, a short detour at Bolzano (30 min east to Val di Fassa); the city of Verona (historic center and Juliet’s balcony).
• Local commerce: truck stops near Brixen sell speck and South Tyrolean wine; roadside stalls between Verona and Brescia offer Parmigiano Reggiano wheels.
• Cultural notes: gas stations often double as markets for local prosciutto and grappa.