Locarno to Menton Road Trip: Alpine to Riviera

The Locarno to Menton drive covers 320 km (200 mi) through Switzerland, Italy, and France. Surprisingly, the shortest route crosses the Simplon Pass (2,005 m) or takes the longer but faster A13/E62 via the Gotthard Base Tunnel then A7/E25 through Milan. A less known fact: the section between Domodossola and Verbania hugs ancient Roman road alignments along the Toce River. This guide answers is it worth driving Locarno to Menton and highlights things to do between Locarno and Menton.

Road quality is excellent on autostradas, but the Simplon Pass has narrow sections without guardrails. Tunnels like the Gotthard Base Tunnel (57 km) have speed limits and emergency bays. Night illumination along the A7/A26 is good, but on the Pass sections, headlights are mandatory. Safety tip: use low beams in Italian tunnels. Emergency phones every 500 m in major tunnels.

Family spots: Safari Park at Busto Arsizio (exit on A8) has drive-through lion reserves. Lake Orta's Orta San Giulio offers a medieval island with small boat trips. Parco Pallavicino in Stresa features a petting zoo and botanical gardens. Fatigue management: rest stops at Autogrill Villoresi Ovest (A4 near Milan) or Serravalle Scrivia (A7) with lounges. Safe nap spots: Piazzale della Vittoria in Domodossola (quiet public square).

• Pet-friendly: Many Aree di Servizio have designated dog areas; the beach in Finale Ligure allows dogs off-leash in certain zones.
• Hidden off-route: The abandoned village of Craveggia (5 min from Vigezzo Valley road) with frescoed church. Or the Balzi Rossi caves near Ventimiglia (prehistoric site).

The route traverses three distinct landscapes: Alpine passes, Italian lakes, and the French Riviera. Departing Locarno, you climb through the Maggia Valley with steep granite cliffs. At the Simplon Pass, the landscape opens to alpine meadows dotted with stone barns. Descent to Domodossola leads into the Ossola Valley, a corridor of chestnut forests and medieval villages. Crossing into Piedmont, Lake Maggiore appears with its Borromean Islands. The final stretch along the Ligurian coast offers dramatic sea views from the mountain-hugging corniche.

UNESCO sites: the Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont (Langhe-Roero and Monferrato) is a 2-hour detour south of Turin. Also, the Historic Centre of Genoa is near the route (1-hour detour).

• Local crafts: in Vigezzo Valley, buy puncetto lace or copper pots. Domodossola's Saturday market offers local cheeses (toma, gorgonzola).
• Regional foods: try paniscia (Piedmontese rice dish) in Novara; farinata (chickpea pancake) along the Ligurian coast. In Menton, indulge in socca (chickpea flatbread) and lemons (Limone di Mentone IGP).

Fuel costs: for a petrol car, estimate €50-70 on the Alpine route and €70-90 on the coastal route. Diesel is €0.05-0.10 cheaper per liter. Fuel stations are frequent in Italy (every 20-30 km on autostrada), but sparse on the Simplon Pass – fill up in Domodossola. Motorway tolls from Milan to Ventimiglia cost about €25. Swiss vignette (CHF 40) mandatory for Swiss motorways; for the Simplon Pass no extra toll. For the best stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

• Currency: Switzerland – CHF, Italy – EUR, France – EUR. Have cash for small purchases.
• Road tolls: Italian autostrada use Telepass or pay at booths (credit cards accepted).
• Simplon Pass: closed in winter (Nov-May); check conditions.