Split to Gubbio Road Trip: Stops & Driving Guide

This 750-kilometer journey from Split to Gubbio crosses the Dinaric Alps, the Po Valley, and the Apennines. A unique fact: near the border crossing at Lipovac (Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina), the A1 highway literally divides two river basins—the Cetina flows south to the Adriatic, while the Sava drains north to the Black Sea. The route includes a mandatory ferry crossing on the A14 motorway between Pescara and Ancona, adding roughly two hours even though the water is only 30 kilometers wide. The drive takes approximately 9 hours without breaks, but including border checks and the ferry, budget 10–11 hours.

This guide answers how long to drive Split to Gubbio, is it worth driving Split to Gubbio, and offers best stops Split to Gubbio. For more on planning, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. Below is a quick reference table of the main segments.

Fuel and Route Economics

Fuel costs for a petrol car (7L/100km, 750km) average €90–€100, with cheaper fuel in Croatia (€1.45/L) than in Italy (€1.70/L). Tolls total ~€60, plus the Pescara–Ancona ferry (€50 for a car and driver). A Slovenian vignette (€15 for 7 days) is required. Border crossing at Lipovac is on the E71; wait times vary from 10 to 30 minutes in summer.

Rest Zones and Fatigue Management

Well-equipped motorway service areas (known as "autogrill" in Italy) appear every 30–40 km on the A14. Notable stops: Draganić (Croatia) has a large playground; Roncade (Italy) offers gourmet snacks. Essential rule: take a 15-minute break every 2 hours. Suggested break points: after Bosiljevo (270 km), after Trieste (100 km), and before the ferry in Pescara (400 km).

• Draganić (Croatia A1, km 200)
• Lepi Potok (Croatia A1, km 280)
• Vrtojba gas station (Slovenia A2)
• Roncalceci (Italy A14, near Ravenna)
• Porto Recanati (Italy A14, before Ancona)

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality

Croatian A1 is modern and well-lit, but tunnels and bridges have strict speed limits (110 km/h). The Italian A14 has older sections with narrow emergency lanes; construction zones are common between Rimini and Ancona. The ferry from Pescara to Ancona is generally smooth, but check sea conditions in winter. Winter tires are mandatory in Croatia (Nov 15–Apr 15) and Italy (Nov 15–Apr 15) if snow conditions exist; chains must be carried when approaching mountainous sections like Monte Cucco.

Family and Child Suitability

Long stretches of motorway can be boring for children. Break up the drive with active stops: Plitvice Lakes offers easy walking trails; Škocjan Caves are mildly adventurous. The ferry crossing entertains kids with deck views and a cafeteria. In Gubbio, the funivia (cable car) to Monte Ingino is a hit with children. Many autogrill stops have small play areas; the one at Cesena Nord (A14) has a dedicated kids' corner.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Both Croatia and Italy require pets to have microchip and rabies vaccination (EU pet passport). Dogs are allowed on the ferry in a carrier or in a designated pet area (book in advance). Most rest stops allow dogs on leash; the Italian autogrills often have water bowls outside. Many agriturismi near Gubbio accept pets; check ahead. The route is generally pet-friendly, but the cable car in Gubbio does not allow dogs.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Instead of the usual stops, consider these hidden gems: in Croatia, the village of Bis (20 km off A1 exit 25) has a 4th-century Roman sarcophagus embedded in a church wall. In Slovenia, the Lavender Maze in Vrhpolje (15 km off A1) is a fragrant labyrinth. In Italy, the abandoned village of Poggio alla Guardia (near Rimini) offers ghost-town exploration. Near Gubbio, the Hermitage of San Pietro (5 km east) is a rock-hewn church with medieval frescoes—accessible by gravel road (2WD ok in dry weather).

Natural Landscapes & Attractions

From Split's turquoise coast, the A1 climbs through bare karst mountains to the Lika region (Plitvice Lakes, 150 km from Split). Although not on the direct route, a 30-minute detour to Plitvice is worthwhile. After the Slovenian border, the landscape softens into vine-covered hills near Gorizia. The Italian A14 hugs the Adriatic, offering glimpses of the sea between Rimini and Ancona. After the ferry, the SS76 climbs into the Umbrian Apennines, with stunning views of Monte Cucco.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Diocletian's Palace in Split is a UNESCO site (1979). On the way, the Škocjan Caves (Slovenia, 20 km off the A1 near Divača) are a UNESCO natural site with vast underground canyons. In Italy, the Venetian Works of Defence (15th–17th centuries) between Palmanova and Udine are a lesser-known UNESCO site worth a 10-minute detour.

• Diocletian's Palace, Split (start)
• Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO, detour 30 min)
• Škocjan Caves (Slovenia, detour 20 min)
• Ferrara (UNESCO Renaissance city, near A14 exit)
• Urbino (UNESCO, detour 15 min from SS76)

Culinary Infrastructure

In Croatia, stop for a cevapi at a roadside konoba near Ploče (exit 26, A1). In Slovenia, try local prosciutto (pršut) and Teran wine along the Karst region. In Italy, the Marche region on the A14 is famous for olive all'ascolana (stuffed olives). After the ferry, Umbrian cuisine offers truffles and strangozzi pasta. Many agriturismi (farm stays) along the SS76 serve home-cooked meals; book ahead for lunch.

1. Konoba Adriatic (Ploče, Croatia)
2. Gostilna s prenočiščem (Komen, Slovenia)
3. Il Giardino dei Ciliegi (Ravenna, Italy)
4. Agriturismo Monte Cucco (near Gubbio)