We will be making this drive in a rent car in early May. How is the traffic that time of year? How long should the drive take us? Any recommended stops along the way?

Hi SSB - It's usually a 3-4 hour drive, depending on traffic - which shouldn't be bad in May.

Recommended stops? Monte Cassino? Naples? Pompeii? Caserta?

Steve

Hi ss,

Have you arranged for parking for your car?

Ira, I'm told that after dropping off our luggage, our hotel (Villa Rosa) will make arrangements for "offsiite" parking.

offsite and expensive, but that is the way it is to have a car in Positano. You won't need it much once you are there, but it will be nice to have it to visit Pompeii.
We found the drive to be pretty easy. i would not recommend stopping at Pompeii, instead do come back to it as a day trip, it's not to be missed and you don't want to rush because you are worried about checking in, etc. You can easily spend half a day visiting this site, using the audio guide.

We have been to Pompei before so we won't be stopping there. Actually, we planned on visiting Herculaneum on a daytrip later. I'm told the daily parking fee in Positano is about 20 euro. Very high, but, as you say, that's the price you pay for the independence of having a car. Thx for the reply.