We will be flying to Munich April 9th, and heading south to Venice. On the way back to Munich a week and a half later, we will go north from Lake Como. Are there roads where road conditions would require snow tires, or are there routes we should avoid?

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Most mountain passes are not 100% open until the end of June. You will amost certainly need equipment unless you go through the Grand Saint Bernard or the Gotthard tunnels.

WE'll be driving northern Italy and Switzerland almost exactly that same time. I know the passes aren't open then probably, but we're planning on driving through the St. Gotthard tunnel north of Lugano (after Como). Doesn't worry us at all....we still think April is one of the best times to travel...a lot less tourists, cooler and sometimes rainy which we love, and just an interesting time. They say the pass is beautiful, but we've been over lots of passes.
(We drove around Ireland one year in April, and had 9 days of sunshine! One never knows.)
We did go through the St. Gotthard tunnel a few years ago....l0 miles of gaseous, smoggy, fumes. I didn't like it but we survived,....even though I don't like it this time. But to get to SWitz from Como area one MUST go though lots of tunnels.
Since you'll be returning to Munich you'll be able to skirt further East~~~~and that will be beautiful also.

You never know about snow in the mountains. I have experienced a load of new snow between Innsbruck and Bozen on the drive from Lake Garda back to Munich in mid April some years ago. That's unusual but it happens.

A little correction to the previous post: You don't necessarily have to go through the Gotthard tunnel to get back from Lake Como to Switzerland. You could also take the San Bernardino tunnel which is a bit shorter (and that route is more scenic). also, the Simplon Pass is usually open through winter.

Another option and best for you is to drive via Maloja Pass, St. Moritz and down the Inn valley via Landeck and Fernpass, Garmisch to Munich. I use to do that when I go skiing to St. Moritz/Engadin. Very scenic route. In mid April the roads on that route should be snow free, but you never know (see above!). Snow tires are highly recommended below 40 F, not only if there is snow/ice on the road.

Ingo

Note: Trucks are travelling these routes day and night, seven days a week.

In Switzerland, trucks are forbidden to drive at night or on Sundays.

Thanks...from Como, Lugano we are headed to Zurich (via the central/western route), so St. Gotthard tunnel is the most sensible for US. For the original poster there are more options for getting to Munich...beautiful ones. (san bernadino tunnel/pass etc)
We just don't want to "veer" so far east (Chur etc)..have seen that corner and it's gorgeous,,,but the St. Gotthard tunnel OR Simplon Pass will leave us the option of going to the Bernese Oberland area (which we love). I understand that if Simplon pass is closed then they put the cars on the train tunnel. Is this correct?
(We'll probably end up Gotthard tunnel !) That part of the S.France, Cinque Terre,N Italy trip remains open,,,and probably will until we get in that vicinity.!

Bawilber~~~have a great trip! The circle you are taking will be beautiful and lots of fun.

Correct about the Simplon, yes.