Montreux to Ancona: A Scenic Road Trip Through Alps and Adriatic

The route from Montreux, Switzerland, to Ancona, Italy, spans approximately 750 km (466 miles) of Alpine passes, lake shores, and the Italian Riviera. A little-known fact: the Simplon Pass (E62) was used by Napoleon to move troops, and today, its 20 km tunnel is one of the longest railway tunnels in the world, though your car will stay on the open road above. The drive takes about 8–9 hours without stops, but we recommend at least two days to fully experience the changing landscapes.

This guide answers the questions: best stops Montreux to Ancona, how long to drive Montreux to Ancona, is it worth driving Montreux to Ancona — and provides a detailed itinerary of things to do between Montreux and Ancona. For more on finding hidden gems, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Montreux to Ancona passes through four distinct landscape zones: Alpine lakes and peaks, the Po Valley plains, the Ligurian Riviera, and the Adriatic coast. The first section (Montreux–Domodossola) is pure Alpine drama: snow-capped peaks, vineyards terraced into steep slopes, and the deep blue of Lake Geneva. The Parco Nazionale della Val Grande, accessible from Domodossola, is Italy's largest wilderness area, perfect for a short hike.

As you descend into Piedmont, the landscape flattens into rice paddies (look for ‘Riserva Naturale delle Baragge’) and fields of corn. Here, local commerce revolves around rice, wine, and truffles. Near Alessandria, stop at a salumeria for bresaola and robiola cheese. The Ligurian coast from Genoa eastward is a necklace of pastel villages (Portofino, Cinque Terre) precariously perched on cliffs. Further south, the Adriatic coast becomes flatter with long sandy beaches, ideal for a dip near Ancona.

• Hidden gem: The medieval village of Cervo (between Imperia and Sanremo) on the Ligurian coast, with a stunning baroque church and sea views.
• Local product: Basil pesto from Genoa (Pesto alla Genovese) – buy a jar at a local market.
• Wine stop: The DOCG areas of Gavi (white) and Barolo (red) lie just off the A26 near Alessandria.

Your journey begins on the A9 in Switzerland, hugging the eastern shore of Lake Geneva before turning south toward the Rhône valley. At Brig, you face a choice: the quick E62 tunnel under the Simplon, or the scenic pass road (9) which climbs to 2,005 m. The pass is open May–October and adds about 1 hour but offers spectacular views. After the Swiss/Italian border at Iselle, you descend to Domodossola.

From Domodossola, the A26 motorway leads south through the Piedmont and Lombardy regions, skirting the Apennine foothills past Vercelli and Alessandria. Near Genoa, the A12 merges onto the A10 (Autostrada dei Fiori) before heading east on the A12 (Autostrada Azzurra) along the Ligurian coast. The final leg on the A14 (Autostrada Adriatica) takes you past Rimini and up the Adriatic coast to Ancona.

• Tolls: Swiss vignette (40 CHF) required; Italian tolls from Domodossola to Ancona about 40–50 €.
• Fuel costs: Petrol ~1.7 €/L in Switzerland, ~1.9 €/L in Italy; budget 80–100 €.
• Border crossing at Simplon: no formalities, but have passports ready for occasional checks.
• Rest areas: Every 20–30 km on Italian autostrade; Swiss service stations are less frequent.

The Simplon Pass (if you take it) has hairpin bends and narrow sections; watch for cyclists and motorcycles. The A12 along the Ligurian coast has many tunnels, some unlit, so use dipped headlights. On the A14, keep an eye on speed cameras (autovelox), and note that Italian motorways have a variable speed limit in tunnels (often 80 km/h). For families, the Oltrepò Pavese area (near Voghera) has a children's adventure park, 'Avventura Park', off the A21. The town of Pesaro (before Ancona) has a family-friendly beach and a Rossini museum.

Fatigue management: The best rest stops are at Autogrill locations with playgrounds and clean bathrooms. For a proper break, exit at Novi Ligure (A26) and walk around the historic center. Pet-friendly accommodations: many Agriturismi near the route accept dogs, such as Il Giardino dei Gelsi near Busalla. For a quiet picnic, the Lago di Viverone (near Ivrea) has designated areas with tables and shade.

• Emergency numbers: 112 (EU-wide), roadside assistance (ACI) 116.
• Best rest area: Autogrill ‘Dorno Ovest’ on the A7 (just off the A26) – has a large parking, food court, and a pet exercise area.
• Family tip: Visit the ‘Città dei Bambini’ (Children's City) in Genoa – a hands-on science museum.