Recommended drive from Lake Como to Orta (staying mid west Como)
 

Recommended drive from Lake Como (West side near Lenno) to Lake Orta in June? Should you go via car ferry crossing Maggiore? Or is it quicker to go all the way round the lake? I would like to weigh up considerations re time and scenery. Might consider a stop over in Maggiore either on way there or return leg but prefer more authentic town than Stresa (we have visited Stresa on a day trip but preferred Orta) . If we stayed over in Maggiore, we would be looking for somewhere with easy access to Switzerland day trips via public transport. Looking for stopover for one or two days, authentic but not necessarily dead ie still some restaurants and evening atmosphere. Have visited Lake Como many times and love it but want to expand the trip to incorporate Orta. Any advice on any aspect of this trip would be greatly appreciated.

LENNO - ORTA SAN GIULIO BY CAR:
Fastest way: Lenno - Cernobbio - Maslianico - Autostrada A 9 - Lomazzo - Autostrada A 36 - Autostrada A 8 - Autostraada A 26 - Uscita Arona - SP 142 - SP 229 - Orta.
As long as traffic between Lenno and Como is disturbed by works, the fastest way goes via Lugano - Mendrisio - Malnate - A 8 - A 26 - SP 142 - SP 229 - Orta..
Most scenic way: Lenno - Menaggio - Lugano - Capolago - Brusino - Lavena Ponte Tresa - Luino - Laveno - ferry - Intra - Baveno - Gignese - Sovazza - Orta.

Cannobio is the nicest place close to the Swiss border, with buses to Brissago - Ascona - Locarno (all in Switzerland).
Luino has trains to Belllinzona/Locarno as well as buses to Ponte Tresa (Lugano) about every 2 hrs.
But why not stay in Switzerland? Locarno would offer much more possibilities.

Thank you very much. That is very comprehensive. Would that be quicker than using the toll roads? We are looking at stopping at Ascona and Locarno on the way back.

Autostrada (A9, A36, A8, A26) means toll road. Therefore, the itinerary via Lugano - Luino is much cheaper (and more scenic).

SW side of Lake Maggiore, the town of Ranco is very nice, good hotels, restaurants and ferry service.
Please report back on your visit to Lake Orta. We all were very disappointed and wished we were on Lake Maggiore. Maybe we missed something.