Will be picking up a car in Rome Sa turday June 10 and will be heading to Tuscany after picking up the car. My questions are: 1.Which rental location is the most user-friendly for getting to the A1 using AutoEurope or NOVA. 2. Do their websites offer a map which indicates the rental locations ?

Thanks from a rookie

Auto Europe's site doesn't have a map; that would be a useful enhancement. Aside from airport locations, which have a surcharge, the easiest for driving out would be via Tiburtina 905, a long taxi ride from the center. As you can find from previous discussions, the Villa Borghese parking garage, listed as via del Galoppatoio, is centrally located and a pretty easy drive out.

I've posted on the location debate before and have opted for Via Tiburtina as the pick-up location. I've e-mailed our hotel (Campo di Fiori area) and can't seem to get a straight answer as to how much a taxi would cost to Via Tiburtina. They've told me what I already know and that is the Villa Borghese location is closer. I would rather go for the more expensive cab fare and be less likely to get lost but it would be nice to know an approximate amount of for the fare. Anyone have a clue?

I would guess it will cost between Euro 20.00 and 25.00--maybe a little less, depending on traffic, luggage, etc.

Probably the reason that the hotel won't give you a straight answer about the Via Tiburtina location cab fare is because picking the car up there doesn't make sense to them.

The cab fare doesnt't sound unreasonable particularly if it means not getting lost. I assume you think it makes sense just not the hotel.

Actually (if you check back on the past discussions) you will see that I think that getting out of Rome (if you are going north) from the Park Si garage under the Villa Borghese is pretty direct. I have done it myself a number of times and clients of mine have also.

If you are going east or south, then there are other alternatives that may be better.

Do we know where you are heading when you leave Rome?

Thanks for all the information and discussion. It's an easy way to learn. Your thoughts are all appreciated.

We are heading North to Cortona. I am trying to figure out which pick-up would be our best bet for not getting lost. I know there is some debate on this but from what I recall Via Tiburtina is more direct and not as far a distance to the Autostrada.

I used to use the Borghese location. Until I started using the Hertz (Auto Europe affiliate) location at Via Gregorio VII, just southwest of the Vatican. It is, by far, the easiest "exit" point that I've discovered: just a straight shot west out of the city. It may add a few kilometers to the trip, but it is MUCH easier to negotiate. We pay 15 euro for a cab from Campo dei Fiori to the rental car office.

Kendal, thanks. I'll check it out.