Tips for driving in the Dolomites

 

Driving anywhere in Italy is not straightforward for many travelers, and there are many general things travelers to Italy need to know about driving. But travelers to the Dolomites? That's a separate conversation.

If I were brainstorming descriptive phrases about roads in the Dolomites, I'd include:

• winding
• narrow
• no shoulder
• guardrails optional
• steep drops
• mountain face next to the road
• hairpin bends
• steep
• dark (not lit at night)
• icy

 

You can avoid driving in the dark or not rent a car in the wintertime. But the rest of those descriptive terms? You'll meet them, so just be prepared. Skip to the video below, or read these common-sense tips:

Rent a small car. Rent what you need, of course, but as small as possible, since the roads are narrower.

Allow more time to get from A to B since you're not going to be driving very fast on those narrow and winding roads.

Use your eyes and ears while driving, meaning look out for mirrors that help with blind curves, and listen for the light "beep beep" of other drivers coming around a blind curve and warning you of their approach.

Trust Italian drivers as they know the roads and can overtake safely (even though it may not seem that way to you). The key is that you drive consistently, without any sudden swerves or changes in speed, and keeping the distance between you and the side of the road the same. Don't go faster than you're comfortable with, and if there's a pullout area and a long line of cars behind you, pull over and let everyone go by. But don't let aggressive Italian drivers stress you out, be safe.

Use taxis. Many people get around the Dolomites with buses and taxis, and if you know it will be dark when you're returning from dinner, leave the car at the hotel and call a taxi. 

Get a good paper map and use it, along with directions you got from your hotel, to get to your destination. I usually sing the praises of having a GPS, but the Dolomites is somewhat of an exception. Your GPS will not have information about road closures, and may try to route you to your destination via a narrow gravel road over a mountain pass (a road that in wintertime is not passable with a car).

Winter driving makes all of the above slightly more complicated. Some roads will require chains, which are not included in a standard car rental so you must ask about them. Some smaller roads close in the winter and become cross-country ski trails. Call your hotel and have a chat about the local roads if you're planning on driving in the Dolomites in the winter.

 

This video is worth a million words: 

 

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Photo of winding road by Nordique

Comments

[Peter]

This is just like driving in Colorado, where I'm from, so that makes me feel less concerned. The motorcycles bending and curving make this look worse than it is. Of course, your tips are spot on and should be heeded!

[Madeline]

Thanks Peter! I've never driven in Colorado but have driven lots in Canada's Rocky Mountains and the roads are a lot wider and the drivers are much more cautious. sounds like you'll be fine in the Dolomites :-)

[jessica]

I have a small car, and given the chance to have a bigger vehicle I would definately have to say 'no'. This is because smaller cars are far more economical and they are easier to park.