How long is the drive, assuming we start off after breakfast? Any stopovers recommended?

Hi A,

See www.viamichelin.com

Driving time is about 6 hours. Right in the middle of the drive is Florence (Firenze).

I am actually intending to drive from Florence to Rome.
Or should I skip Florence before Rome?
Venice is my second last stop before flying out of Zurich.

>>Or should I skip Florence before Rome?<<

There can be no reasonable answer to this without knowing how much time you have to give to 1. Florence; 2. Rome; 3. Venice; 4. any points in between.

Is there any particular reason why you have decided to drive? Driving is impossible in any of the three cities named, and trains will get you from city center to city center quickly and inexpensively.

Thanks for all the replies.
I got a rental car offer from Avis on the cheap (CHF708) for 14 days (coming from Switzerland).
Plus I understand to see Tuscany countryside, a car would be a better option.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Staying in the following order.
Florence 2 nights
Rome 3 nignts
Venice 2 nights

If you have only 2 nights for Venice, drive up directly from Rome to Venice and enjoy late afternoon in Venice.

That does seem to be a good offer, so I can understand why you took it.

And yes, a car is the best way to see the Tuscan countryside.

But when will you find the time to really see the Tuscan countryside? With two days in Florence, you could, I suppose, take one to go into the Chianti area between Florence and Siena.

But you won't really have 2 days in Florence, 3 in Rome and 2 in Venice: Consider that you have to get from Place A to Place B, find parking, get yourself and your luggage to your hotel..

And be aware that the historic centers of both Florence and Rome are traffic-restricted areas - ZTL - that can lead to having a fine charged to your credit card a year or so later; they have cameras registering cars entering the ZTL. You'll either have to park outside the ZTL or have your hotel register your licence plate number with the authorities; this will allow you to drive to your hotel, unload your luggage and find a parking garage for your car.