Modena to Girona by Road: A Complete Guide to the Epic Italian-Spanish Drive

This route traverses Italy, France, and Spain, crossing the Alps and the Mediterranean coast. The quickest path uses the A1 from Modena to Milan, then the A7/E62 to Genoa, the A10/E80 along the Italian Riviera to Ventimiglia, and finally the AP-7/E15 along the Costa Brava to Girona. Driving time without stops is about 12 hours.

Modena is home to the 3.5-liter V8 engine production for Maserati and Ferrari—a fitting start for a road trip. The route's only significant tunnel is the Colle di Tenda between Italy and France, a subject of ongoing debate regarding its safety.

The journey transitions from the Po Valley (flat farmlands) to the Ligurian Apennines, then along the Mediterranean coastline. After Nice, the landscape becomes more mountainous heading toward the Camargue wetlands. Finally, the Costa Brava offers rugged cliffs and coves.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route include the city of Modena (Cathedral, Torre Civica, Piazza Grande), Genoa's Le Strade Nuove and Palazzi dei Rolli, and the Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne (short detour near Narbonne).

• Geography: From the Po River plains to the Alpine foothills, then the limestone Massif of the Estérel, and finally the granite Costa Brava.
• Scenic Stops: The hilltown of Dolceacqua (5 min from A10 exit), Eze village (overlooking the Mediterranean), and the Cap de Creus Natural Park.
• Crafts: In Liguria, seek out 'baci di dama' cookies; in Provence, lavender honey and soaps; in Catalonia, ceramic 'càntirs' from La Bisbal.

Toll roads in Italy and France are well-maintained and well-lit at night. In Spain, the AP-7 is in excellent condition. Watch for speed cameras in France (radars fixes) and Spain (radares). The A10 has many tunnels; keep headlights on.

Family-friendly stops include the 'Acquario di Genova' (Europe's largest aquarium, 5 min from Genoa), the 'Parc de la Ciutadella' in Barcelona (if detour), and the 'Museu dels Volcans' in Olot (near Girona). For pets, the Aire de la Baume (near Aix-en-Provence) has a designated dog-walking area.

Fatigue management: Plan a break every 2 hours. Recommended rest zones are the 'Area di Servizio Trecate' (km 100 A4 near Novara), 'Aire de la Provençale' (km 180 A8 near Le Luc), and 'Area de Servei La Selva' (km 60 AP-7 near Girona). For a quick nap, use the 'Parcheggio P2' at the Autoporto di Genova (safe, 24h security).

For more ways to discover offbeat stops, check out our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

From Modena, take the A1 heading west toward Parma and Piacenza. At Milan, merge onto the A7 (E62) south toward Genoa. The A10 (E80) traces the Ligurian coast, passing through Savona and heading to Ventimiglia at the French border. In France, the A8 (E80) continues along the Côte d'Azur through Nice and Cannes, then joins the A9 (E15) near Montpellier, crossing into Spain. The AP-7 (E15) runs south from La Jonquera to Girona.