I am looking for suggestions on how to spend 3/4 of one day in the Lake Garda area. I am driving there in the morning from Venice, and will only be staying this one day and evening. I expect to tour a few towns at the south end of the Lake, and perhaps drive part way up the eastern or western shoreline. Is this doable?
I know it is a beautiful area, and 3/4 of 1 day is not much time to spend there. I may be able to stretch our stay for 1 extra day
Also, does anyone have recommendations on a best place to stay for the one day, and clean and "not too expensive" hotels or bed & breakfast accommodations?

Thank you

Where will you go afterwards? If it's Munich or so, you may drive along the Western shore up to Riva del Garda and sleep there. If your destination is Florence or so, I would rather stay in the Southern half of the Lake.
If you travel with young kids, they may be grateful if you stop for a few hours at Gardaland/Peschiera.

The top half of the lake is by far the most beautiful. If you can find the time I would head north up the road that skirts the lake on the eastern side.

Thank you neckervd and RM67

Neckervd and RM67--We are planning to drive from Bologna to Gargnano on Lake Garda (spending two nights). Wondering if you have traveled the western side of the lake by car. Would like to do a day trip to Limone and Riva del Garda. I've read the road is quite challenging, would a ferry be preferable? Also, any towns you think should or shouldn't be missed on the east side of the lake (hate super touristy). Any advice would be appreciated.

Malcesine on the east coast

The road up the western side of the lake is IMO much more "challenging" than the East. It's due to the narrow lanes through the tunnels and if large vehicles come the other way, it can be a bit interesting in places.

Having said that, if you are a confident driver it's the only part of the road that is remotely a problem. If you are coming in from the East, then the Eastern side of the lake is more accessible, especially in view of your limited time.

If you can stay overnight then somewhere like Bardolino would suit very well.

Malcesine: a castle, and a cable car up Monte Baldo

Limone sul Garda: pretty little village.

Riva del Garda - dramatic views all around you.

Il Vittoriale - a fascist era villa on the southern/eastern side of the lake. It's fascinating and the views are undoubtedly beautiful (it was completely overcast and pouring rain when we visited, we still entertained ourselves walking around for almost two hours).

Thank you flygirl. I wondered if you drove the circumference around the lake, or up the west side from the south to Riva del Garda, or took ferries. Trying to determine how difficult that west side route is... Thanks!

Have driven that route twice (from north to south) and did not see any difficult issue. Traffic becomes more dense on south part of drive as it is more populated. My journeys took place several years ago and have not traveled it recently but found the drive to be very scenic.

Stop for lunch in Campione del Garda, quaint lakeside town with highway exit inside tunnel.

Several years ago I was invited to a friend's birthday celebration at Lake Garda. We stayed in a very nice hotel in Riva del Garda, drove around, walked around and took ferries on the lake. I'm usually quite susceptible to scenic places & non-urban experiences but the charms of Lake Garda eluded me entirely. I found it quite ordinary, even boring, and cannot recommend it to anyone unless it's on the way to somewhere else you plan to go. Obviously that's just a personal opinion, others seems to like it well enough but if your time is limited you might consider other places as well.