Rome to the Amalfi Coast Road Trip (5 Days)
A 5-day drive from Rome to the Amalfi Coast — day-by-day route, where to sleep, real costs and the stops worth making.
Rough estimate — fuel + nights at typical rates. Get an exact figure in the calculator.
The route on video
Rome to the Amalfi Coast is one of the most rewarding short road trips in Europe: ancient cities, coastal switchbacks and some of the best food in Italy — about 600 km of driving there and back.
Day 1 — Rome to Naples (230 km)
Pick up the car on the edge of Rome (city-centre traffic is not worth it) and head south on the A1. Break the drive in Naples for pizza and a walk through the historic centre. Sleep in Naples or push on to Sorrento.
Day 2 — Naples to Sorrento (50 km)
A short hop, so spend the morning at Pompeii on the way. Sorrento is the ideal base for the coast — easier parking than Positano and cheaper beds.
Day 3 — The Amalfi Drive (Sorrento → Positano → Amalfi)
The famous coastal road. Start early to beat traffic on the narrow SS163. Stop in Positano for the view, then Amalfi town itself. Parking is tight and pricey — arrive before 9am.
Day 4 — Ravello and the hills
Head up to Ravello for gardens and the quietest views on the coast. A slower day away from the crowds.
Day 5 — Back to Rome
Return along the A3/A1. Drop the car back in Rome.
What it costs
Use the cost calculator to price fuel and nights for your exact dates. As a rough guide: ~€60–110/night for accommodation, plus fuel for the ~600 km round trip and coastal parking fees. Booking a car early saves the most.
Where to stay on this route
Pick your dates and see what is available in Amalfi.
See places to stay — Amalfi →Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
🚦 Know before you go
Tolls. Italy has no vignette but the A1/A3 autostrada charges per-km tolls (approx €18–20 Rome to Salerno), paid by taking a ticket at the entry booth and paying cash/card or Telepass at the exit.
Ferries. No ferry is required, but a car-free ferry from Salerno or Sorrento to Positano/Amalfi is a popular way to skip the notoriously congested SS163 coast road.
Good to know. The coastal towns (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello) each run their own ZTL limited-traffic zones, so park in a paid garage outside the centre rather than risk a camera fine, especially in a rental car whose fines are forwarded with an admin surcharge.
Estimate your exact costs in the cost calculator. Prices are approximate — check official sites before you travel. Some links are affiliate links.
Plan this trip
Where to sleep
Hotels & B&Bs → Holiday homes & apartments → Campsites (bookable) → Campervan & overnight spots →Tours & tickets
Find things to do →Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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