Lucca to Gubbio Road Trip: Best Stops & Hidden Gems

Leaving Lucca’s Renaissance walls behind, the road to Gubbio snakes through Tuscany and Umbria on the A11 and E45 highways, a journey of roughly 180 kilometers (112 miles) taking 2.5 to 3 hours without stops. The exact distance from Lucca’s Porta Elisa exit to Gubbio’s Piazza Grande is 184 km. The route includes a notable geographic quirk: after passing Florence, the landscape shifts from gentle Tuscan hills to the rugged Apennine foothills, culminating in the dramatic gorge of the Eugubine Valley.

• Driving time: 2.5–3 hours non-stop.
• Highways used: A11 (Firenze-Mare) and A1 (Autostrada del Sole), then SS219 and SS298.
• Key milestone: Traversing the San Pietro a Crepina pass at 750 m.

Road safety is high: the A1 has speed cameras and emergency phones every 2 km. The SS298 narrows in parts, with guardrails. For families, the things to do between Lucca and Gubbio include the Florence zoo (Giardino Zoologico) near the A1 exit, and the Bosco di Sargiano adventure park. Pet-friendly stops are common: many agriturismi welcome dogs, and the Autogrill at Chianti has designated pet areas.

• Family stops: Le Fonti farm (cider tasting, kids’ playground) near Sansepolcro.
• Pet-friendly framework: Most rest stops allow leashed pets; carry water bowl from Lucca.
• Fatigue management: Drive 90 minutes max between breaks. Rest areas at Montevarchi (A1) and Anghiari (SS219).

Hidden off-route spots: The abandoned village of Raggiolo in Casentino (5 km detour, easy hiking) and the Romanesque abbey of San Salvatore in Agna (near Cetona). Climatic conditions: spring and autumn offer mild temperatures (15-25°C) and golden light; winter can have fog in valleys and snow above 600 m.

Fuel costs average €1.80 per liter for petrol (diesel €1.70) along the route. Fill up in Lucca’s outskirts or at the self-service stations near the A1 Arezzo exit; mountain stations cost more. The A11 and A1 are toll roads: total toll is about €8.50 (cash or card). Avoid the Pass’s narrow sections if driving a large RV.

• Tolls: Lucca-Florence €3.20, Florence-Arezzo €5.30 (total €8.50).
• Fuel stops: Q8 in Lucca Est, Eni at Montevarchi, IP near Arezzo.
• Road quality: A11/A1 excellent; SS219 and SS298 well-maintained but winding.

For planning, check how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. The SS298 features steep gradients; winter tires mandatory November–April. Rest areas are sparse on the final stretch—plan breaks.

The drive begins in the green Lucchesia plain, passes through the Chianti wine region with its orderly vineyards, then enters the Casentino forests near Arezzo. The final descent into Gubbio reveals the limestone peaks of Monte Ingino and Monte Foce. Best stops Lucca to Gubbio include the medieval walled town of Anghiari (known for its 15th-century battle painting) and the quiet hilltop hamlet of Sansepolcro, birthplace of Piero della Francesca.

• Natural highlights: Casentino forests (chance to see wild boar); Gubbio’s Monte Ingino (cable car from town).
• Commerce: Ceramics in Gubbio (Maiolica), leather goods in Florence, olive oil in Umbria.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Historic Centre of Florence (1982); the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013) near Florence.

At Arezzo, the Piazza Grande hosts the monthly antiques fair (first weekend). The local cuisine specializes in tortelli alla lastra (pasta cooked on a hot stone) and truffle dishes. Is it worth driving Lucca to Gubbio? Absolutely—the journey offers a taste of Tuscany and Umbria’s compact diversity, with culture and nature in one day.