Lucca to Urbino: Epic Road Trip Through Tuscany and Le Marche

Your journey begins in Lucca, the city of 100 churches encased in Renaissance walls, and ends in Urbino, the ideal Renaissance city perched on two hills. The direct route follows the A11 motorway east to Florence, then the A1/E35 south to Arezzo, before cutting east on the E78/SS73bis through the Apennines – a 280 km drive typically taking 3 hours 30 minutes without stops. The final 30 km on the SP423 into Urbino wind through the Montefeltro countryside, offering glimpses of the Ducal Palace from afar. A little-known fact: the E78 here was built partly on a Roman road called the Via Flaminia Minor, linking the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts since antiquity.

Driving from Lucca to Urbino crosses three regions: Tuscany, Umbria, and Le Marche, each with distinct cuisines and dialects. The A1 toll from Lucca to Arezzo costs about €10, while the E78 is free. For those wanting to explore, how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities is essential reading. This guide answers is it worth driving Lucca to Urbino? – absolutely, for the Apennine panoramas alone. Plan at least 5–6 hours with stops.

The E78 is a two-lane highway with occasional passing lanes. Drive defensively: locals overtake on solid lines. Use the Soccorso ACI app for breakdown help. Speed cameras are frequent near Mercatello sul Metauro (50 km/h zone). Fatigue management: pull over at the Sansepolcro rest area (Km 62) which has a playground and picnic tables.

Family-friendly pit stop: Parco Avventura a Frasassi (exit Genga on the SS76) – a zip-line park 20 km off-route. Pet-friendly stops: Agriturismo La Torre (SS257) welcomes dogs with a fenced garden. For babies, change facilities exist at the A1 Arezzo Ovest service area (Autogrill). Hidden off-route spot: the abandoned village of Montelovesco (near Piobbico) reachable via a dirt track – perfect for a quiet picnic with views of the Burano Valley.

The route slices through the Foreste Casentinesi National Park (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) between Florence and Arezzo, though the highway skirts the edge. For a detour, take exit at Incisa Valdarno and follow SP85 into the park for chestnut forests and the Camaldoli hermitage. The E78 after Sansepolcro enters the Alpe della Luna, a limestone massif with dramatic gorges and the singular Gola del Burano.

Local commerce thrives in roadside stalls south of Sansepolcro selling truffle oil, pecorino, and wine. Stop at Azienda Agricola Il Poderone (SP208) for fresh ricotta and honey. In Piobbico, the weekly Monday market offers local Salsiccia di Piobbico and olive oil from the Marche hills. The best stop for handmade ceramics is Bottega Artigiana in Urbania, just off the E78.

Fuel stations are plentiful on the A1, but on the E78 gaps of 30–40 km exist between Sansepolcro and Piobbico. Fill up in Arezzo (ExxonMobil at Via Fiorentina) or in Città di Castello. At current Italian prices (€1.85/litre for unleaded), budget €35–40 for the round trip. Rest areas on A1 are modern with bars and clean WCs; on the E78, use the Piobbico service area (Km 78+300).

Tolls total about €15. Accept credit cards at all A1 booths. The SS73bis has no tolls but has several roundabouts near Sansepolcro. Winter tires are mandatory from November 15 to April 15 on the E78 due to mountain passes. Avoid driving after dark in fog – the Apennine valleys get thick fog from October to March.

Parking in Urbino: leave the car at the automated lot Piazza della Mercanzia (€1.50/hour, free 8pm–8am) or at the Parcheggio Borgo Mercatale (€2/hour). In Lucca, park outside the walls at the Parking Carducci or the underground Parcheggio Mazzini (€1.50/hour).