Driving Milan to Rome: stopping for lunch
 

We will be driving the 6+ hours from Milan to Rome and need some suggestions about stopping for lunch. We previously used trains, so we don't know the logistics of driving. I understand there is food on the Autostrada like the turnpikes on the East Coast in the US. Is the food edible at the stops in Italy? (I would never suggest someone eat along the Jersey turnpike!) Can we easily exit the Autostrada for lunch along the way? Any suggestions along the route that might be good for a break?

Although I am not trying to talk you into "staying on the road" to eat, I think that the Autogrill resturants, located at regular intervals on the A1 (and other autostrade) are quite good - - cafeteria-type selections - - salads, hot main courses, even some cooked to order choices from the grill. <BR> <BR>And a small selection of grocery-type items there also. <BR> <BR>It's a pretty long haul, and there is nothing wrong with needing to "stay on course". And be aware that the last "twenty minutes" - - getting into Rome and to where you want to go can easily take NINETY. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR>

Thanks for the Autogrill suggestions. The drive into the city seems like the most difficult. We're using driving directions from Mapquest. Have you had any experience with these? Accurate times? Accurate distances?

I guess I never tried to accurately critique the three sites I know and use for Europe driving directions and route planning: <BR> <BR>http://www.euroshell.com <BR>http://www.mappy.com and <BR>http://www.michelin-travel.com <BR> <BR>Although I use http://www.mapquest.com regularly for "local" (Ohio) driving directions), it is a relative "late-comer" to europe mao services for the web (route planning, specifically) - - so I have not become familar with how good or limited it is. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>http://communities.msn.com/RexBickers/messageboard.msnw <BR>

We liked the Autogrill also, but they did vary in quality from one place to another. I think it is better to get ahold of the Italian Touring Club maps rather than using Mapquest. The highway from Milan to Rome is an easy drive. But, Rome is tough. You need a really good map with many streets.