Agriturismo or small hotel between Milan & Cinque Terre
 

I'm going to be in Milan on business in mid-Sept. My husband is joining me and we're planning to do a driving trip in Northern Italy (prefer that over trains so we can explore along the way). First leg is Milan to Cinque Terre. We'll be leaving Milan mid afternoon so would like to find a place to stay an hour or two out of the city along the route to 5Terre. Any suggestions for Agriturismo/ farm stay or small hotel along the way?

We drove to Santa Margherita Ligure after landing at Milan MXP. It was not difficult at all, all Autostrada. Lovely place.
Another choice would take you a little west but very doable, Alba in the Langhe area of Piemonte. Charming town set among the famous wine villages.

Look in the area of Tuscany between Parma & La Spezia, roughly around the tow of Pontremoli. Check out the website A Path to Lunch for more info about the Lunigiana (as this secret but fabulous part of Italy is called)