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Road trip route · United Kingdom · France · Switzerland · Italy

London to Rome drive time, distance, costs & the best stops

Drive time
19 hr 43 min
Distance
1827 km
Fuel (est.)
€233
Tolls (est.)
€55

The London to Rome drive

The drive from London to Rome covers 1135 miles (1827 km) and takes about 19 hr 43 min without stops, including the 35-minute Eurotunnel shuttle from Folkestone to Calais. That's a long haul for one day, most drivers split it over two days, stopping overnight near White Cliffs of Dover, which turns a slog into a proper road trip.

Expect fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) to cost around €233 one-way plus roughly €55 in motorway tolls. Switzerland requires a motorway vignette (vignette required). Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.

Best stops between London and Rome

Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.

Cathedrals & Temples

Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore

One of the oldest churches in Milan, featuring an early Christian octagonal plan and Roman-era colonnade.

Castles & Palaces

Leeds Castle

A castle on islands in a lake formed by the River Len in Kent, often called the loveliest castle in the world.

Castles & Palaces

Dover Castle

A medieval fortress overlooking the English Channel, known as the Key to England due to its strategic defensive significance.

Natural Wonders

White Cliffs of Dover

Iconic chalk cliffs reaching up to 110 meters high along the English Channel, symbolizing Britain for centuries.

Landmarks

Colmar Old Town

A fairy-tale Alsatian town with brilliantly colored half-timbered houses along the canals of its 'Little Venice' quarter.

Landmarks

Riquewihr

One of the most beautiful villages in France, a perfectly preserved medieval wine village enclosed within 16th-century ramparts.

Castles & Palaces

Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg

A towering medieval fortress restored by Kaiser Wilhelm II, commanding panoramic views over the Alsatian plain from its Vosges mountain perch.

Castles & Palaces

Hever Castle

Romantic 13th-century double-moated castle that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, set within award-winning gardens and a 38-acre lake.

Museums

The Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie)

Leonardo da Vinci's iconic mural painting of the Last Supper, housed in the refectory of a Dominican convent in Milan.

London to Rome FAQs

How long is the drive from London to Rome?

Driving from London to Rome takes about 19 hr 43 min nonstop, covering 1135 miles (1827 km), including the 35-minute Eurotunnel shuttle crossing. Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.

How much does it cost to drive from London to Rome?

Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly €233 one-way. Expect around €55 in motorway tolls. Switzerland requires a motorway vignette (vignette required). Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.

Can I drive from London to Rome in one day?

It's possible but long: 19 hr 43 min of driving. Most people split it over two days, with an overnight stop near White Cliffs of Dover, which turns the drive into a proper road trip.

What are the best stops between London and Rome?

Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore, Leeds Castle, Dover Castle: see the full list of 9 stops on this page.

More drives from London & Rome

Planning a bigger trip? Try the free United Kingdom road trip planner or the Italy planner, or read the driving in Italy guide.