Vicenza to Positano Road Trip: Ultimate Guide

Driving from Vicenza to Positano means crossing the entire Italian peninsula from the Veneto plains to the Amalfi Coast. The route primarily follows the A1 Autostrada del Sole (E35) southbound past Florence and Rome, then switches to the A30 (E841) near Caserta before descending onto the A3 (E45) towards Salerno. The final leg is the Amalfi Coast Road (SS163), a narrow, winding masterpiece carved into cliffs.

Statistically, the pure driving time without stops is between 8 and 9 hours for the approximately 700 km journey. However, real-world travel with breaks, traffic, and the Cortina-like zigzags of the coastal road can extend this to 11 hours or more. The route includes two major toll plazas (Bologna South and Rome North) where traffic often bottlenecks, especially on summer weekends.

Tolls on the A1/A30/A3 cost approximately €40–€50 total (2025 rates) for a standard car. Fuel stations with Autogrill services are plentiful every 20–30 km on the motorway, but the final SS163 has only a handful of expensive pumps, so fill up before leaving the A3 at Salerno.

• Average fuel consumption: 6.5–8 L/100 km (petrol) or 5–6.5 L/100 km (diesel).
• Toll booths accept credit cards, Telepass, or cash.
• Rest areas (aree di servizio) like 'Chianti', 'Orvieto', and 'Teano' offer clean toilets, coffee bars, and basic groceries.
• SS163 is narrow with limited pull-offs; plan for slow speeds (30–50 km/h) due to buses and switchbacks.

Parking in Positano is notoriously scarce and expensive. Pre-book a garage (€30–€50/day) or use the large lot at the Amalfi Coast Park near the town entrance. Alternatively, leave the car in Salerno and take the SITA bus or ferry to Positano.

The Autostrada is in excellent condition with well-lit tunnels and SOS phones every 2 km. However, the SS163 requires full attention: no guardrails in some corners, frequent pedestrian crossings, and tour buses hugging the inside. Drive defensively between March and October, when traffic is heaviest.

• Child suitability: Most Autogrill stops have playgrounds and high chairs. The SS163 is not ideal for restless toddlers; plan short leg breaks at the few lay-bys (e.g., near Amalfi).
• Pet-friendly framework: Most petrol stations allow dogs on a leash; Autogrills usually have outdoor seating. The Villa Comunale park in Positano is dog-friendly.
• Fatigue management: Exchange drivers every 2 hours, or stop at the 'A1 Arezzo' or 'A1 Cassino' rest areas for a 20-min nap.

A hidden off-route spot: The medieval hilltop village of Nocera Inferiore, just off the A3 between Salerno and Pompeii, offers a 12th-century cathedral and a ruined castle—almost no tourists. For a true gem, take the SS145 from Castellamare di Stabia to Gragnano (the pasta town) for a short, scenic detour.

The landscape shifts dramatically: lush green vineyards around Vicenza and Valpolicella, the rolling Tuscan hills dotted with cypresses near Florence, the Umbrian valleys, and the stark Roman Campagna. After Rome, the terrain becomes rocky and Mediterranean: olive groves and citrus trees near Salerno.

• Tuscany: Stop at a farm (agriturismo) for pecorino cheese and Chianti wine. The Val d'Orcia is a UNESCO landscape.
• Umbria: The area around Orvieto offers white truffles, black truffles, and cured meats.
• Campania: On the SS163, roadside kiosks sell limoncello, mozzarella di bufala, and ceramicware in Vietri sul Mare.
• Climate: Summer temperatures along the coastal leg can exceed 35°C, while spring/autumn offer milder 20–25°C.

UNESCO World Heritage sites directly on or very near the route include: City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas (start), Historic Centre of Florence, Historic Centre of Siena (40 km detour), Historic Centre of Rome, Costiera Amalfitana (finish). Plan extra time for at least two.