Driving to Italy

paradigm · 9 Sep 2010 at 14:40

Lopéz said:
I don't think so mate, that's got to be something like 24 hours of solid driving surely?

I think so, I did it, I also have a passenger who can back this up.

No it wasn't solid driving (we stopped for fuel where I would also stretch my legs, and stopped for fast-food meals), and yes it was less than 24 hours. German Autobahn's (the majority of the distance) are excellent.

Lopéz · 9 Sep 2010 at 15:05

paradigm said:
I think so, I did it, I also have a passenger who can back this up.

No it wasn't solid driving (we stopped for fuel where I would also stretch my legs, and stopped for fast-food meals), and yes it was less than 24 hours. German Autobahn's (the majority of the distance) are excellent.

Sounds like a pretty stupid thing to do in my opinion, but it's your choice. Professional drivers have their driving hours restricted for good reason.

Hawk Tuah · 9 Sep 2010 at 16:13

Could you share driving?

mjt · 9 Sep 2010 at 18:35

Driving to Italy is only worth it if you're planning on stopping at places on the way.
I don't think it's worth it if you're not, especially with cheap flights nowadays.
There are very, very few trains where you can stick your car on the back too..

My parents used to do it when we were little, but that's because low-cost airlines didn't exist.
Doubt it's worth it now.. Fly and drive.

Bunka · 9 Sep 2010 at 18:42

Lopéz said:
Sounds like a pretty stupid thing to do in my opinion, but it's your choice. Professional drivers have their driving hours restricted for good reason.

I guess if you averaged 80 on the motorways and drank your own body weight in red bull it's doable, but I certainly wouldn't fancy it!

*edit* What car would you be doing this in out of interest? You'd need a decent estate or something similar.

godinman · 9 Sep 2010 at 18:45

I drove for a fortnight around Italy. Italian drivers are over aggressive and under skilled.

And watch out for crazy cyclists!!!

mjt · 9 Sep 2010 at 18:54

godinman said:
I drove for a fortnight around Italy. Italian drivers are over aggressive and under skilled.

And watch out for crazy cyclists!!!

I can't imagine this being much fun with RHD..

Kutter · 9 Sep 2010 at 19:10

If youve got young kids get some head rest DVD players. Kept my daughter entertained on the 15 hr drive to Toronto.

Lopéz · 9 Sep 2010 at 20:48

godinman said:
I drove for a fortnight around Italy. Italian drivers are over aggressive and under skilled.

I noticed this up in the Italian lakes.

Incapable of preventing 2 wheels from constantly straying over the white line in the middle of the road, tailgate you until they eventually crawl past in the most dangerous place possible and then slow down and hold you up because they can't actually drive that quickly without a pace setter.

On day 1 it was amusing, day 2 it was boring, by day 3 I'd seriously had enough of it.