These tolls are quite high compared with those in neighbouring countries, but Italy does not use a vignette system—you pay only for the section travelled, with tolls collected as you go. Want to know how much motorways cost in Italy? Read on!

Italian road tolls

Since motorway tolls are collected as you go, a ticket is issued when entering the motorway, which must be presented at the exit. The system then calculates exactly how much must be paid for the section travelled. The average cost of travelling on an expressway or motorway is 0.80 euro cents, while the most expensive sections are those running through mountains or tunnels, for which an additional fee must be paid. It is worth noting, however, that some motorways in southern Italy are free of charge. Exact travel prices can be checked using the special calculator on autostrade.it. Simply enter the departure and arrival locations in the relevant fields, then select the vehicle type and click the Calculate button. The information shown will include the route length, estimated travel time and the toll payable.

What affects road tolls in Italy?

As mentioned at the beginning, in addition to the length of the section travelled on an Italian motorway, the cost depends on the type of vehicle being driven. In this case, vehicles are divided into five categories, with the first three applying to passenger vehicles:

  • Class A – Motorcycles and scooters, passenger cars without trailers, delivery vehicles, minibuses and minivans with two axles, provided that the height above the front axle does not exceed 1.3 m.
  • Class B – Delivery vehicles, vans and motorhomes with two axles and a height not exceeding 1.3 m, as well as buses and lorries with two axles.
  • 3 axles – Passenger cars with trailers, including camper trailers, three-axle buses and lorries with trailers

The remaining two categories—four axles and five or more axles—apply to lorries and delivery vehicles, but not exclusively. For example, if a car has two axles but tows a two-axle trailer, the toll will be higher because this combination is classified as a four-axle vehicle. Therefore, motorway tolls apply both to vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, such as motorcycles and passenger cars, and to vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes. 

Special toll sections and free motorways in Italy

Several tunnels in the High Alps are special sections subject to additional tolls. Prices vary depending on the tunnel and vehicle type, and the more axles a vehicle has, the higher the charge. For example, a one-way trip through the Mont Blanc Tunnel costs EUR 34.60 by motorcycle and EUR 52.30 by a passenger vehicle weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. A return trip through the same tunnel costs EUR 43.50 and EUR 65.30 respectively. The Mont Blanc Tunnel is one of the most expensive tunnels in Italy.

As mentioned at the beginning, although the vast majority of motorways in Italy are tolled, there are exceptions to this rule—namely, the motorway running from Salerno to Calabria and onwards to Sicily.

Payment methods for Italian motorways

Now that we know Italy has no vignettes and that tolls are collected as you go, it is worth clarifying how to pay for using a motorway. There are several payment methods, but you must enter the appropriate lane depending on the method selected. White lanes are intended for people who prefer to pay in cash—the toll is collected at the exit by a cashier or at a self-service point. Another option is a debit or credit card; these are lanes marked with a blue symbol. If a yellow sign is displayed at the lane, payment can be made through the Telepass system, which is the equivalent of Poland’s e-TOLL. Another option is the Viacard prepaid card, which can be purchased at toll stations.

There are two types of entrance lanes in Italy: one for people using the Telepass system and another for those who need to collect a ticket. As when entering, drivers must also pay attention at the exit to the lane type and the payment methods supported. Interestingly, in the event of difficulties or problems, for example with a credit card, payment for travel on an Italian motorway may be made later, within 15 days.

Italian road tolls with the Telepass system

Non-stop lanes on Italian motorways are intended for Telepass users. Payments can be made using special devices mounted on the car’s windscreen that use radio waves—the sensor positioned above the toll lane detects the device, charges the applicable rate for the journey and allows entry to the tolled section without stopping. However, this option is available only to people who sign a subscription agreement.