Driving from Rome to Lucca
 

Hi ~ We are a group of ten driving from Rome to Lucca. We would like help on which town would be the best half way location to stop, visit and have lunch. Thank you for your suggestions.

Depends on whether you take the A1 or E80. If the former,probably Orvieto or Chianciano Terme. If the latter, Grosetto or thereabouts. Be sure you're familiar with the ZTLs in any place you stop.

Please explain ZTLS I don’t know what this is. Thank you!

Zona a Traffico Limitato.

Zones where you are not allowed to drive or park unless you're a resident. They are everywhere in Italy and you may have to be pretty sharp to notice the signs.

Too much hassle!
Do yourself a favor and have lunch at the convenient stops on the highway. It is only 5 hours.

https://www.italybeyondtheobvious.co...with-ztl-zones

Nearly every town of any size (or tourist interest) has a ZTL. Also, all drivers in your group need to have International Driver Permits.

I prefer taking secondary roads, and there are many sights/towns to see on the way from Rome to Lucca, so this drive would take me all day. (Don't underestimate how long the lunch stop will take with 10 people.) If you get an early start, Montalcino would be a little more than halfway but still within the lunch range. (Lunch is hard to find after 2/2:30, esp. in smallest towns.)

If you just want to get to Lucca as early as possible, using E35 out of Rome, then Montepulciano would be a nice halfway stop. It's a detour off the highway, but the scenery is worth the added time.

If this travel day is Monday thru Friday, you could also train to Lucca and rent the cars there. The rental offices there are not open Saturday afternoon or on Sunday.

Agree with Montepulciano..

If you decide to take bobthenavigator's advice, you will find that the AutoStops along highways in Italy offer pretty decent food, not remotely as awful/fast-foody as you might find on US highways.