Positano to Krems an der Donau Road Trip Guide: 1,100 km Through Alps and Wine Regions

This 1,100-kilometer drive from Positano (40°37'40"N 14°29'14"E) to Krems an der Donau (48°24'36"N 15°36'12"E) crosses four countries: Italy, Austria, and briefly through Switzerland or Slovenia via the A4/E70. The route uses the A3, A1, and A22 in Italy, then the A13/E45 Brenner motorway into Austria, and finally the A1 west to Krems. Driving time without stops is about 11 hours, but plan for two days to savor the journey. The stark contrast between the rugged Amalfi limestone and the gentle Wachau terraces is a geological marvel; the Apennines give way to the Dolomites, then the Alps, before descending to the Danube basin.

This route challenges the assumption that highway driving is monotonous. It is not. The section from Florence to Bolzano alone passes through 25 tunnels and over 10 viaducts, with the Brenner Pass peaking at 1,374 meters. You will experience a climatic shift from Mediterranean (January average 13°C in Positano) to continental (-1°C in Krems), meaning your car must be equipped for fog, rain, and potential snow at the pass.

Italian drivers are aggressive; Austrian drivers are strict. On the A1, use the left lane only for overtaking. Tunnels have speed cameras at 110 km/h. The Brenner autobahn has continuous elevation changes – engine braking is essential on descents. Check your coolant and oil before the pass.

• Family suitability: Italian service areas have 'family rooms' for diaper changes. Austrian ones have playgrounds.
• Pet-friendly: Most Italian 'Aree di Servizio' allow dogs on leash; Austrian ones usually have green areas. Always carry water and a bowl.
• Fatigue management: The longest monotony is the A1 Florence-Bologna (1 hour, 90 km). Stop at 'Secchia Est' for a coffee and a walk along the Panaro river.

Hidden Off-Route Gems

Just 10 km east of the A1 exit 'Arezzo', the medieval village of Cortona perches on a hillside, offering a lucullan view over Lake Trasimeno. Another hidden gem is the town of Sterzing (Vipiteno), 15 km north of Brenner: its Gothic town square with frescoed houses is a cultural surprise. In Austria, skip the standard tourist trap of Melk Abbey and visit the ruined Aggstein Castle, a 15-minute drive from Krems through the Danube valley.

For culinary infrastructure, the motorway stops cannot be missed. Try the 'Autogrill' at Chiusi-Chianciano for a genuine panino with pecorino and prosciutto. In Austria, the 'Raststation Pichling' serves a hearty 'Brettljause' – cold meats, cheese, and pumpkin seed oil. Always carry cash for tolls; some booths are unmanned.

Italian motorways (A1, A22) are tolled; expect €45-55 from Naples to Brenner. Autostrade use a closed system with ticket at entry and payment at exit – keep your ticket and credit card ready. Austrian vignette is mandatory (min 10 days: €9.90). Purchase online or at border gas stations. Fuel prices rise near the pass; fill in Italy (€1.85/L) rather than Austria (€1.70/L).

• Cost per km: €0.12 fuel + €0.08 toll = €0.20 total.
• Best fuel stop: Agip station at A1 Modena Nord, just past Bologna. Clean, well-stocked, and 24h.
• Rest zones every 30 km on Italian A1; less frequent in Austria.

For longer breaks, exit at designated service areas (Esso, Shell). Austrian Raststationen offer ski-style cafeterias with goulash soup and linzer torte. To optimize stops, consider the how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities approach – veer off the A1 into the Po River plain for an authentic Parmesan cheese dairy (e.g., Caseificio San Michele near Parma).

The journey begins in the Amalfi Coast's steep lemon terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. The narrow SS163 Amalfi Drive hugs cliffs with 1,000-meter drops – not recommended for long vehicles. Instead, take the A3 inland past Salerno, where the limestone peaks of the Monti Picentini appear. From Naples to Florence, you cross the Apennines; the landscape transitions from olive groves to cypress hillsides, with the Autostrada del Sole cutting through the Serchio valley.

• UNESCO stop 1: Historic Centre of Florence (2-3 hours). Marvel at the Duomo, but parking is hell – use 'Parcheggio Villa Costanza' tram station (€10/day).
• UNESCO stop 2: The Dolomites, visible from the A22 between Trento and Bolzano. Detour 20 km to the Val di Fassa for the Tre Cime view.
• UNESCO stop 3: Wachau Valley (Krems). Terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, and Göttweig Abbey dominate the final stretch.

The climatic shift affects you: from 35°C July humidity in Italy to 20°C dry Alpine air. At Brenner, there's often rain or snow even in summer. Pack a windbreaker. The route aesthetics are best in late May or September when the fields are green and the sky clear. Winter driving requires snow chains (mandatory in Italy until April).

Locally, you'll pass through three cultures: Neapolitan chaos (Positano), Tuscan pragmatism (Florence), and Austrian order (Krems). Notice the change in architecture – from pastel Baroque to gothic Spitz gables.