RoadAtlas
Mille Miglia — Italy — Historical
Europe

Mille Miglia

Italy

In short: Mille Miglia is a 1,609 km historical road trip in Italy, typically driven over 3–4 days, best in May (rally); year-round as road trip. Highlights: Brescia, Cremona, Mantua.

Distance
1,609 km
Duration
3–4 days
Best Season
May (rally); year-round as road trip
NotableEasyHistoricalEV-friendly

The Thousand Miles, from Brescia south to Rome and back, run as a flat-out road race between 1927 and 1957 attracting 5 million spectators. Stirling Moss won in 1955 in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR at an average of just under 100mph, his co-driver reading instructions from an 18ft roll of paper. Today it survives as an annual rally for pre-1957 cars.

~2 refuels
~5 charges
Practical notes
This is a paved, easy route, but the original Mille Miglia roads run through busy city centers, so expect traffic, ZTL zones, and limited parking around Brescia, Florence, and Rome. In May, race-week closures can affect access; check local restrictions before entering historic cores, and watch for heat, rain, and narrow streets in older towns.
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Plan this trip

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Stops along the route

Brescia — Departure — Mille Miglia — Italy
Departure
Brescia
Start and finish of the Mille Miglia since 1927. The Museo Mille Miglia holds 200 race cars including Moss and Jenkinson's actual 1955 Mercedes 300 SLR.
Hotels
Cremona — City — Mille Miglia — Italy
City
Cremona
The violin-making capital of the world. Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati all worked here; the Museo del Violino holds seven Stradivarius instruments in a climate vault.
Mantua — City — Mille Miglia — Italy
City
Mantua
A Renaissance city surrounded by lakes formed by the Mincio river. The Palazzo Ducale's Camera degli Sposi contains Mantegna's extraordinary painted illusionistic ceiling.
Hotels
Bologna — City — Mille Miglia — Italy
City
Bologna
La Grassa, Italy's gastronomic capital: the birthplace of ragu, fresh tortellini, and mortadella. The UNESCO-listed porticoed streets stretch for 38 km through the city.
Hotels
Florence — City — Mille Miglia — Italy
City
Florence
Tuscany's capital and the Mille Miglia's most spectacular stage town. Race cars thundered past the Duomo and across the Arno bridges in front of crowds ten deep.
Hotels
Rome — City — Mille Miglia — Italy
City
Rome
The southernmost turning point of the race. The circuit looped through central Rome past the Colosseum before the field turned north for the long run back to Brescia.
Hotels
Brescia — Arrival — Mille Miglia — Italy
Arrival
Brescia
The finish ramp on Viale Venezia where the pre-war cars return each May. The atmosphere when the field completes the thousand miles is unlike any other event in Europe.
Hotels

Things to Do

Galleria degli Uffizi — Museum — Mille Miglia — Italy
Museum
Galleria degli Uffizi
One of the world's most famous art museums, housing masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli.
Colosseum — Historic Site — Mille Miglia — Italy
Historic Site
Colosseum
Ancient Roman amphitheater in Rome, known for its massive structure and historical gladiatorial contests.
Leaning Tower of Pisa — Landmark — Mille Miglia — Italy
Landmark
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Iconic freestanding bell tower in Pisa, famous for its unintended tilt and Romanesque architecture.
Piazza del Campo — Historic Site — Mille Miglia — Italy
Historic Site
Piazza del Campo
Medieval square in Siena, renowned for its unique shell shape and the annual Palio horse race.
Ducati Museum — Museum — Mille Miglia — Italy
Museum
Ducati Museum
Exhibits the history of Ducati motorcycles, showcasing vintage models and racing memorabilia in Bologna.

Where to Eat

Osteria Francescana — Italian — Mille Miglia — Italy
Italian
Osteria Francescana
A three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Modena, renowned for its innovative Italian cuisine crafted by Chef Massimo Bottura.
Trattoria Mario — Tuscan — Mille Miglia — Italy
Tuscan
Trattoria Mario
A beloved Florence eatery offering traditional Tuscan dishes in a lively, rustic setting since 1953.
Roscioli — Italian — Mille Miglia — Italy
Italian
Roscioli
A gourmet deli and restaurant in Rome, famed for its artisanal cured meats, cheeses, and classic Roman pasta dishes.
Antica Trattoria della Pesa — Lombard — Mille Miglia — Italy
Lombard
Antica Trattoria della Pesa
Historic Milanese restaurant serving traditional Lombard cuisine in an elegant, old-world atmosphere.
La Pergola — Mediterranean — Mille Miglia — Italy
Mediterranean
La Pergola
Rome's only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, offering panoramic city views and exquisite Mediterranean dishes.

Explore related routes

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Mille Miglia drive?

The Mille Miglia covers 1,609 km from start to finish.

How long does the Mille Miglia take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3–4 days on the Mille Miglia, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Mille Miglia?

The recommended season for the Mille Miglia is May (rally); year-round as road trip.

What are the main stops on the Mille Miglia?

The Mille Miglia passes through Brescia, Cremona, Mantua.

Can I drive the Mille Miglia in a regular car?

Yes — the Mille Miglia is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Mille Miglia?

Plan around 2 refuels (or about 5 EV charges) along the Mille Miglia, based on its 1,609 km length.

Is the Mille Miglia EV friendly?

Yes — the Mille Miglia has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Mille Miglia safe to drive?

This is a paved, easy route, but the original Mille Miglia roads run through busy city centers, so expect traffic, ZTL zones, and limited parking around Brescia, Florence, and Rome. In May, race-week closures can affect access; check local restrictions before entering historic cores, and watch for heat, rain, and narrow streets in older towns.

What scenic tier is the Mille Miglia?

The Mille Miglia is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.