As more and more people prefer to drive to their holiday destination — for various reasons — I decided to compile some of the routes I have taken driving from the UK to Italy.
I have driven to Italy several times over the last couple of decades. I love the adventure of passing through unknown places and discovering hidden gems along the way. Driving to Italy — if you plan it well — can become part of the holiday rather than simply the journey to reach it.
And driving from Italy to the UK at the end of your trip can be turned into a highlight too. The choice is yours! I have detailed approximate driving distances in kilometres along with rough driving times — please note, these are very much approximate and will vary hugely depending on the time of day, day of the week and the time of year. Italy is a big country with some very popular holiday destinations — the Lakes of the north, Tuscany and Umbria in the centre and the beach hotspots further south.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Should you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, although I receive a small commission that goes towards the running of this blog. Visiting Italy for a family holiday? Read my article all about Italy with kids. If you have a decent chunk of annual leave and you enjoy driving that last bit is important , the journey from the UK to Italy can become a really interesting part of the holiday, rather than just a mode of transport.
The changing scenery — the huge farmlands of France, the vineyards, the lakes and mountains — and the changing cultures. Our kids loved ticking off all the countries we drove through. They enjoyed the subtle and not so subtle differences in cultures — breakfast customs, language changes, currency. They spent a lot of time listening to audiobooks but we also spent plenty of time talking about the different countries we passed through — the cars, the roads, the geography, the people.
