The traffic jams on the narrow winding road along the Amalfi Coast are infamous. The road, one of the most beautiful in Italy, traverses cliffs with dramatic turns and steep descents to the sea far below. The Amalfi Coast is an iconic destination, but driving there? It's a nightmare.
There are plenty of stories about miles-long traffic jams, and tales of travel times doubling or tripling, while passengers enjoy the scenic views and the driver mutters curses in silence. And the worst part? Parking is impossible. Once you arrive at the top, you might as well turn around and face the same traffic jam all over again on the way down.
New rules for the Amalfi Coast road
The group of municipal governments overseeing the villages along the 30 km stretch from Vietri sul Mare to Positano introduced new regulations aimed at easing the traffic woes. Naturally, opinions on these new rules are divided, but everyone agrees that something needed to be done. Even ambulances, police, or firefighters often can't get through.
Odd and even license plates
The new rules are straightforward: if you have a license plate with an even number, you cannot drive on even days; those with odd numbers on odd days. This means tourists can only drive every other day, implying a minimum two-night hotel stay. These rules apply from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM throughout the entire month of August, plus weekends from June 15 to September 30, Easter week, and the period from April 24 to May 2 are also included.
Exemptions for Amalfi residents
Residents of the 13 cities along the coast are exempt, as are public transportation vehicles and taxis. However, rental cars are subject to the same restrictions.
The new regulations also prohibit vehicles over 10.36 meters (about 34 feet), caravans, and vehicles with trailers from 6:30 AM to midnight year-round. Vehicles over 6 meters (around 20 feet) long and 2.1 meters (about 7 feet) wide have restricted hours and are banned during peak times.