Rome to Florence is the classic Italian high-speed rail corridor — 175 miles north on the A1 Autostrada, or a stunning 1.5-hour ride on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa bullet train. The train is almost universally the preferred choice.
The drive passes through Umbria and southern Tuscany — beautiful rolling hills with vineyards and hilltop towns. If you have the time, the SR2 Via Cassia through Viterbo, Orvieto, and Siena is one of Italy's greatest drives.
Stops Along the Way
A breathtaking hilltop Umbrian town with an extraordinary striped Gothic cathedral — one of Italy's most dramatic sights from any distance.
Tuscany's great medieval rival to Florence — the Campo, the Duomo, and Chianti wine country surrounding it are unmissable.
UNESCO World Heritage rolling Tuscan hills with cypress avenues and hilltop fortresses — the iconic Tuscany landscape.
Tips for This Trip
The Frecciarossa is excellent and frequent
Trenitalia runs multiple Frecciarossa trains daily from Roma Termini to Firenze S.M.N. in 1h30m–1h40m. Book ahead for low prices.
The scenic route via Siena takes all day — but is worth it
The SS2/SR2 Via Cassia through Viterbo, Orvieto, Siena, and the Val d'Orcia is one of the world's great drives. Plan a full day.
Florence ZTL is strictly enforced for non-residents
Florence's Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) camera system issues severe fines for unauthorized vehicles. Hotels can arrange permits, but driving into central Florence is best avoided.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Florence is about 160 miles (257 km) from Rome in a straight line, and approximately 175 miles (282 km) by road via the A1 Autostrada del Sole north through Tuscany.