I am planning a month long trip to Italy early next fall. I have been there before, and would like to rent a car this time and drive through Tuscany, etc. (itinerary is still in the early planning stage). I am a middle-aged single woman, who has travelled alone for 40 years, without any major problems. I have driven in other European countries, but keep hearing how awful the driving is in Italy. I'd love to hear your experiences.

I consider driving in Italy as no worse than anywhere else. The rules of the road are pretty much the same all over Europe.

We drove all over Italy a couple years ago. Our only difficulty was driving in to Florence. It was easier driving out a couple days later The rest of Tuscany is a snap. There are some lovely little roads that are stunningly gorgeous. You will REALLY appreciate having a car to set your own schedule. (We even enjoyed driving all over the Amalfi Coast, on the coast road and back and forth over the mountains.)

Driving is fine in Italy if you are an experienced traveler. Just do not try to drive in the major cities--plan your car rental timing to avoid that.

I think a lot depends on what you're used to. I live in the Boston area and found driving in Italy much easier than driving here - the drivers are better and more courteous and the signage is much better, among other things. The pace on the secondary roads really seemed no different than at home.

You'll likely find the traffic on the Autostradas to be somewhat faster than you're used to, but really no different than anywhere else in Europe. Sticking to the rightmost lane possible and only moving out to pass, then moving immediately back (i.e., the way it's done in every other sane country in the world) is all you need to remember.

Based on my observations, I don't think I'd care to drive in Rome, but we did drive through Milan, Turin, and a couple of other major cities and it can be a bit tight and confusing, but again not substantially different than large cities in the U.S.

Went to Italy in early September with my fiance. We picked up a car in Rome, drove through Tuscany and returned it in Florence. I was similarly concerned about driving before going and there is a thread I started to which I received many helpful responses. Search "Driving in Tucany" (note the mispelling, sorry) and you should find it. Overall, we had a pleasant driving experience with the exception of getting miserably lost trying to get out of Rome. Driving through Tuscany was generally easy and pleasant, although it was helpful to have two people in the car, one driving and one navigating. But, if you study your maps in advance, you should be able to go it alone. One caution is that I would try to avoid driving the local roads in Tuscany at night. They are very dark, unlit and winding. It is easier to get lost and/or end up driving off the road. Not impossible, but not really pleasant. Also, we were supposed to return the car in Florence at the train station. However, we stayed at a hotel in Fiesole, just outside of Florence, and had the hotel return the car for us and took a taxi to the train when we left. Given the trip from the hotel to the train station when we left, I can definitively say that I am glad I wasn't driving in Florence! It looked like an absolute nightmare! Good luck and enjoy!

My husband and I went to Italy for a month in Spring 2002. We rented a car in Florence and drove the hill towns, up the Po Valley and dropped the car in Milan. Dropping the car at the train station was a nightmare. I wouldn't recommend it, especially alone. I would say it would probably be the same experience dropping the car off in any major city. Probably better to drop off in Florence and take the train to Rome and fly out of there.

I suggest you get a small car because driving in the small hill towns can be tricky and the streets are so narrow. We had some close calls and were so glad our car wasn't a bit bigger.

On the main highways, you won't have any problems at all.

It is really fun driving through Italy. It is so beautiful.

Have a great trip.

We had no problem driving in Italy. We do live in Chicago though so may be used to the speeds. The scariest part for us was driving a manual car up those steep hills and the fear of stalling! The driviers cut corners adn seem to come at you but they get out of your way. YOu'll be fine. One rec: when you get to a hill town, specifically Montepulciano but applies to others, park in the lot at the bottow (large blue letter "P&quot, walk or bus up. You do NOT want to get stuck on tiny steep cobblestone streets surrounded by people. (hmm, who did that?)! Enjoy!

I checked the thread I referenced above. Apparently, I did spell Tuscany correctly. Search "Driving in Tuscany" and you should find it.

Unless your daily driving is done in a manual shift car, I would get an automatic.

You don't want to be practicing hill starts in Tuscany.

Dutchess.....I've been to Italy six times...wouldn't do it any way except driving. I may be able to help you with alot of details. Email me if you wish. I'll be out of town 11/12-13. Cheers, bill