Roughly eight million vehicles are expected to be on the roads over the weekend of 1-2 August as the summer holiday season begins in earnest. The company in charge of most Italian motorways, ANAS, says most of the traffic will be heading to seaside destinations in the southern part of the country. Motorways that could be particularly crowded include the A1 (Milan-Naples), the A14 (Bologna-Taranto) and the A3 (Naples-Salerno-Reggio Calabria). Roads around Venice and border crossings with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia could also be slow.

There will be a second wave of departures on the weekend of 8-9 August, when many businesses and factories close ahead of the Ferragosto national holiday coinciding with the feast of the Assumption on 15 August. ANAS says Saturday 8 August could be especially difficult for road travel. Other days to avoid if possible are the 16 and 17 August and the weekends of the 22-23 August and 29-30 August, when many holidaymakers will be making the trip home.

Heavy vehicles will be banned from travelling and road maintenance suspended during peak times in order to facilitate circulation, but long traffic jams are still expected in some places.

For information see the ANAS website or call the toll-free number 1518