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Driving Tuscany

Know before you go

Road Notes from Tuscany

Tuscany Regional Driving Guide

If you plan to stay a few days in Tuscany, I’d suggest renting a car for the duration of your stay, as there won’t be able to rely on Uber or taxis. Go with the smallest car you are comfortable with.

Don’t drive if you cannot just sample wines. Most pours are 1-1 .5 once samples (Restaurant pour is 5oz, Home pours 10oz   ) know your limits. Tip: just Share wine samplings, or share a single glass.

If you have any kind of motion sickness, Tuscany is not for you, rolling and twisting hills, blind spots and tight turns are not for faint of heart.

Locals will ride your bumper, don’t let them push you past your driving limits of comfort, they will pass you when they can.

You will travel of gravel roads, smooth and wide to one car and very rocking… these are considered actual roads, not just the paths to the winery.

You will have to back up and move into hedges along the road, in order for oncoming cars to get by.

You will absolutely need GPS, and on the cars display, youll need to zoom in on the multiple round about exits.

You will miss a turn, or round about exit, accept it and don’t let it ruin you day

The speed limit will change very often, 30-60-90, 30-50-90.

Speed traps are real and listed on GPS as they are marked, you will get a ticket later from rental company.

Get your Internation driver’s license

Take the long routs to avoid long gravel roads that don’t seem logical to drive on for more than 100 m.

Finding a Parking space in the main city’s of Montepulciano, Montalcino etc can quickly  lead to divorce or separation, or at minimum ruined the day… accept this beforehand. There are many parking small parking lots, Most will be full, the closer to the town. You will miss the turn or round about exit, and find yourself driving into the town’s main walk ways. Roads are tight with tight switch backs that you miss.  Use GPS and put in parking and you’ll see many. Also bring coin money as they don’t all accept card or don’t work.

 

Montepulciano is the easiest drivable area, wineries are all in close proximity and along main roads, also with the most walks of 19 of 25 wineries

San Gimignano would be the second easiest drivable area, wineries are all in close proximity and along main roads, however not as many walk ins 13 of 25 wineries.

 

Chianti regions are drivable with more small towns in between destination, southern Chianti tends to have a few more gravel roads, and with about half of the wineries are walk ins.

 

Montalcino may be the most scenic drive know for val d'orcia, however has more side road and gravel roads than other regions, will require more planning as there only 6 walk in wineries in the region.

Renting a car

Wine and Driving

Tuscan Roads

Parking

Good to Know

Driving Tuscany

“The roads, the curves, the gravel, and the unforgettable views.”

“The roads of Tuscany are part of the journey.”

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Renting a Car

  • Rent the smallest car you are comfortable with.

  • You won’t be able to rely on Uber or taxis.

  • Get your International Driver’s License.

  • GPS is essential — use the car display and zoom in on roundabouts.

  • Bring coin money for parking.

Wine & Driving

Tuscan tastings are generous. Know your limits and share tastings whenever possible.

  • Don’t drive if you cannot just sample wines.

  • Most pours are 1–1.5 oz samples.

  • Restaurant pours are approximately 5 oz.

  • Home pours may be closer to 10 oz.

  • Tip: Share wine samplings or share a single glass.

Tuscan Roads

  • You will travel on gravel roads — from smooth and wide to one car and very rocky.

  • These are actual roads, not just winery paths.

  • Back up and pull into hedges to let oncoming cars pass.

  • Expect rolling hills, blind spots, tight turns, and narrow roads.

  • Locals will ride your bumper — let them pass when they can.

  • Don’t let them push you beyond your comfort level.

  • If you have motion sickness, Tuscany may not be for you.

Parking

  • Parking in hill towns can test your patience (and relationships).

  • Many small parking lots will be full the closer you get to town.

  • You may miss a turn or roundabout exit and end up inside town walkways.

  • Use GPS and search “parking” ahead of time.

  • Many parking lots don’t accept cards or their machines don’t work.

  • Bring coins whenever possible.

Good to Know

  • You will miss a turn or roundabout exit — accept it and move on.

  • Speed limits frequently change: 30–60–90 or 30–50–90.

  • Speed traps are real and marked on GPS.

  • Tickets may later arrive through the rental company.

  • Take longer routes to avoid rough gravel roads when possible.

ROAD NOTES FROM TUSCANY

“You will miss a roundabout exit. Accept it and enjoy the scenery.”

“Locals WILL ride your bumper. They know the roads — let them pass when they can.”

“A gravel road does not mean you’re lost — it means you’re in Tuscany.”

“Parking in hill towns may test your patience more than the roads themselves.”

“The most scenic roads are often the least logical.”

REMEMBER

Drive with patience, respect the locals, and leave plenty of time.
The journey is just as beautiful as the destination.

TUSCANY REGIONAL DRIVING GUIDE

RegionEase of DrivingGravel RoadsWalk-In WineriesNotes

MontepulcianoEasyLow19 / 25Easiest drivable area. Wineries are in close proximity along main roads with the highest number of walk-ins.

San GimignanoEasyLow13 / 25Second easiest drivable area. Wineries are close together along main roads, though with fewer walk-ins.

ChiantiModerateMedium~50% of wineriesMore small towns between destinations. Southern Chianti has more gravel roads.

MontalcinoAdvancedHigh6 Walk-insMost scenic drive known for Val d’Orcia, but has more side roads and gravel roads requiring additional planning.

“Take the long way, enjoy the views, and let Tuscany unfold one turn at a time.”

driving overview
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