Over the past few years, the route from Solingen to Pozzuoli has been covered by car seven or eight times. In midsummer, when the heat shimmers above the autostrada. In winter, when the mountain passes occasionally carry snow. With a breakdown near Parma on the way there. And another breakdown near Milan on the way back. Two breakdowns in a single trip. With a piece of debris on the ring road around Rome that produced a bang like a gunshot and briefly made it seem as though the car was done for. And yet, every single time, the destination was reached.
This article is not a theoretical travel guide, but an honest firsthand account. From choosing a route to planning a stopover, from knowing when to fill up to understanding what happens when things really go wrong.
The two routes: Switzerland or Austria?
There are two sensible ways to get from North Rhine-Westphalia to southern Italy, and both are known from personal experience. The shortest route from Solingen to Pozzuoli is around 1,600 kilometers. This stretch has always been covered in two legs.
Route 1: Via Switzerland and Lake Como
From Solingen, the route heads south on the A3, then through Switzerland, Basel, the Gotthard or Lukmanier pass, and on via Lake Como to Milan. This is the more direct option for those heading to Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, or southern Italy.
Switzerland requires a vignette. Anyone caught without one faces steep fines. The annual vignette costs around 40 Swiss francs and must be purchased before entering the highway. There is no daily vignette. It can be bought conveniently online before departure, or at the last two highway rest stops before the border, or directly at the border crossing itself. Honestly, this particular stretch is not an enjoyable drive. The three and a half hours through Switzerland drag on endlessly and seem to have no end in sight. That is why, in recent trips, the somewhat longer route through Austria has been the preferred choice. From Milan, the journey continues south on the A1, the famous Autostrada del Sole. This is the route that has been traveled most often.
Route 2: Via Austria and the Brenner Pass
The alternative route goes via Munich, then south on the A93 over the Brenner Pass into Austria, continuing through Innsbruck into Italy, past Lago di Garda , through Verona, and then also onto the A1. This route is somewhat longer but more impressive scenically. It has been driven twice in recent years. Those who want to reach their destination quickly should take the Swiss route. Those who enjoy the drive and want to see more along the way should go via the Brenner. Austria also requires a vignette, and the Brenner highway charges an additional toll.
Tolls in Italy
Toll obligations on the highways begin at the border. The system is complex: toll stations appear every few hundred kilometers, and the costs add up. From the border near Verona to Naples, charges of 60 to 80 euros can quickly accumulate. Anyone traveling this route regularly should consider getting a Telepass , an electronic toll devicethat deducts charges automatically and allows for significantly faster passage through toll booths. The small toll box was already in use on the very first trip. The tolls are slightly higher this way, but the journey itself is considerably more relaxed.
Fueling up in Italy
Filling up in Italy on the highway is significantly more expensive than at regular gas stations. This is no different from Germany. Those with the time and inclination can exit the highway and look for a regular gas station. What many people do not realize is that many smaller gas stations in Italy close at midday. Anyone trying to fill up around 1 p.m. may find the doors locked. One rule always applies: make sure to use a self-service pump. Otherwise, the price goes up considerably.
Two breakdowns in one trip, yes, it can happen
One might think that a car breakdown in Italy is just bad luck. Two breakdowns in a single round trip? That sounds like fate. And yet it happened, and both times the story could be told calmly in the end.
Breakdown 1: The A1 near Parma
On the way to Pozzuoli, the engine warning light suddenly came on on the A1 just before Parma , and the car lost all power. No acceleration whatsoever. There was just enough momentum to reach a rest area, which likely prevented the worst. What followed was surprisingly smooth: the ADAC was contacted via app, a callback came from Germany, an Italian partner service was dispatched, and a tow truckarrived. The car ended up at a workshop in Parma that was professional, friendly, and even reachable via WhatsApp. The result: two unplanned nights in Parma, with hotel costs covered by the ADAC. What started as breakdown stress turned into an unexpected stay in a beautiful city, complete with hot chocolate and two nights at the Hotel Sina Maria Luigia, a place worth booking again without hesitation.
Breakdown 2: South of Milan on the return journey
On the return trip from Pozzuoli to Germany, having spent the night at the B&B La Borasca south of Milan and were on our way back on the same route when, after about 30 kilometers, the car broke down again. Second breakdown, same trip. Towed to San Donato Milanese, we spontaneously checked into the Crowne Plaza Linate . Not a tourist hotel, but a large business hotel close to the airport, which turned out to be exactly what was needed in that situation: smooth processes, quiet rooms, a good restaurant. ADAC arranged a rental car at the airport. Two nights later, we drove back to Solingen in the rental. The original car followed after a seemingly endless back-and-forth with ADAC and has since been sold.
What both experiences taught us: ADAC Plus membership is not optional on this route, it is essential. Hotel costs are covered, towing is included, and on weekends one thing above all is required: patience, because repair shops don't open until Monday. In an emergency: move the vehicle off the road if possible, put on a high-visibility vest, set up a warning triangle. The ACI emergency number is 803 116; the pan-European emergency number is 112. Or simply use the ADAC app.
The ring road around Rome, and the debris
Anyone driving from the north to Pozzuoli has to go through or around Rome. The Grande Raccordo Anulare is a world unto itself: heavy traffic, many trucks, and a road surface that sometimes looks as though it hasn't been maintained in years. On one of our trips, there was a bang like a gunshot. A piece of road debris on the carriageway, invisible with no chance to swerve. The immediate thought was: that's it, the car is done. We were lucky: it still drove. With an uneasy feeling, but it drove all the way to Pozzuoli. Our recommendation: drive with extra caution on the ring road around Rome, keep a large following distance, and reduce speed at night or in poor visibility. Road debris on the carriageway is, unfortunately, not uncommon there. In some sections, the road surface around Rome is also far from ideal.
Stopover: where to stay?
The total distance from Solingen to Pozzuoli is approximately 1,500 kilometers, with a pure driving time of between 14 and 17 hours depending on route and traffic. At least in theory. An overnight stop is essential. The longest single-day leg we ever drove was shortly before Christmas 2024: from Solingen all the way to Florence in one day. After that, as the sole driver, I practically crawled into the Hotel La Fortezza on my knees.
In the greater Milan area
Those taking the Swiss route reach the area south of Milan after about eight to nine hours. A number of accommodations along the way are known from personal experience. The Break Hotel in Ospedaletto Lodigiano sits right on the A1, a modern property with quiet annex rooms offering direct parking access and a good restaurant. After 13 hours of driving, that felt like near luxury. The B&B La Borasca in Casalpusterlengo is an entirely different experience: a historic country house, four rooms, a warm-hearted host, and a lovingly prepared breakfast. For those who prefer not to sleep in an anonymous transit hotel, this is exactly the right place. On several occasions, simple rooms in Lodi served as the overnight stop.
In Bologna
Those who set off early and make it to Bologna will find one of northern Italy's most beautiful cities as a stopover. An overnight stay at the Hotel Fiera there worked well, conveniently located and reliable. Bologna itself is worth any extended visit: the Piazza Maggiore, the Due Torri, the arcaded streets, the food. Tagliatelle al Ragù in Bologna is in a completely different league from anything known in Germany as "Bolognese."
In Verona (Brenner route)
For those taking the Brenner pass, Verona makes an ideal stopover . Right on the A22, and the old town is wonderful even for a short evening stroll. On the return journey, an overnight stay in South Tyrol is also highly recommended. Several simple but very welcoming guesthouses were visited along the way, all at quite reasonable prices. A fine example is the Gasthof Mesnerwirt am Ritten.
The A1 between Bologna and Florence
For those with time to spare, the old A1 panoramic routeis well worth considering, the original Autostrada del Sole through the Apennines. Winding, barely traveled, with breathtaking views over the Tuscan hill country. A piece of Italy far from tunnels and fast lanes. A welcome side effect: the panoramic route is considerably more relaxed to drive than the "modern" A1.
In Midsummer and Winter
The route has been experienced in every season. In summer, the heat between Rome and Naples is brutal, a fully functioning air conditioner is essential, as is water in the vehicle, and the rest stops are overcrowded (actually, at any time of year). That said, the evenings in Pozzuoli afterward are all the more beautiful. In winter the route is somewhat quieter and faster, but the Brenner can have surprises in store, and the Swiss mountain passes are sometimes closed. Winter tires are mandatory, not optional. A tip worth noting: never travel immediately before Christmas. Italian highways are packed and gridlocked from Como to Palermo. Having experienced it twice, it was anything but enjoyable.
What Seven Trips Have Taught Us
No matter what time the departure from Solingen happens, there will be a traffic jam at some point. If not in Germany, then perhaps in Basel, at the Gotthard for certain, and sooner or later somewhere in Italy as well. That is simply something to plan for. The vignette for Switzerland or Austria should never be forgotten. For those who drive the route frequently, a Telepass saves both time and stress. Refueling should always happen away from the highway, and a lunch break with a real espresso and pasta at a bar near an exit takes 20 minutes and is worth every cent. And the ADAC Plus membership? It was needed twice on a single trip. Absolutely indispensable.
In October 2026, this route will be driven one last time as travelers passing through, before a permanent move to Pozzuoli. From that point on, reporting will no longer come from the perspective of visitors, but as true residents of southern Italy. Everything there is to know about moving to Italy can be found right here on Vivere in Italien.