📷 Photo by Uta Scholl on UnsplashItaly’s Food Valley: Parma to Ravenna
Parmigiano, prosciutto and balsamic along the Via Emilia, with Bologna’s arcades and Ravenna’s mosaics.
- Distance
- approx. 195 km (121 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 41 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 4
- Countries
- Italy
- Best time to go
- May and September–October
- Tolls and vignettes
- ≈ €11
- Updated
- September 3, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 195 km (121 mi) with 4 stops, from Parma to Ravenna mosaics. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May and September–October. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €11 (Italy).
More road trips in Italy · More road trips from Parma
Photos along the route
Route description
In Parma, the cathedral and the pink marble baptistery stand in the same square, and the hills to the south are prosciutto country. Parmigiano Reggiano dairies around the city can be visited in the morning, when the cheese is made; book ahead.
The Via Emilia and the A1 motorway lead southeast to Modena, whose cathedral, tower and Piazza Grande are a UNESCO site. Traditional balsamic vinegar is aged in attics in and around the town, and many producers offer visits.
Bologna is next, with miles of arcades and the two leaning towers in the centre. Most of the city has a 30 km/h speed limit and the centre is a ZTL limited traffic zone, as in Parma and Modena, so use the park-and-ride car parks.
The A14 then heads east across the plain to Ravenna, where fifth- and sixth-century mosaics in gold and deep blue cover the walls of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Allow a full day for the mosaics, which are spread over several sites in the town.
Which stops are on Italy’s Food Valley?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Parma
Italy - 263 km
Modena
Italy - 346 km
Bologna
Italy - 485 km
Ravenna mosaics
HistoryRavenna, ItalyFifth- and sixth-century mosaics in gold and deep blue cover the walls of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.
How do you drive Italy’s Food Valley in 3 days?
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Parma → Modena · 63 km · 0 h 52 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camper Club Mutina (4 km); Camping International Modena (5 km).
- Day 2: Modena → Bologna · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOvernight nearby, for example: Centro Turistico Città di Bologna (4 km); area sosta camper Sasso Marconi (12 km).
- Day 3: Bologna → Ravenna mosaics · 85 km · 1 h 11 minOvernight nearby, for example: Agriturismo Bio Camping (5 km); Classe (10 km).
When is the best time for Italy’s Food Valley?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
What should you know before driving Italy’s Food Valley?
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €11 (Italy).
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Bologna: Limited traffic zone (ZTL). Cameras fine unauthorised vehicles in the historic centre, including hire cars. Park outside and walk or take transit; hotels inside may register your plate.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Themes
Plan this route for your vehicle
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FAQs
How long is Italy’s Food Valley: Parma to Ravenna?
3-day road trip of about 195 km (121 mi) with 4 stops, from Parma to Ravenna mosaics. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Italy’s Food Valley: Parma to Ravenna?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 41 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Italy’s Food Valley: Parma to Ravenna start and end?
It starts in Parma and ends in Ravenna mosaics.
Which countries does Italy’s Food Valley: Parma to Ravenna pass through?
Italy.
Where can you camp along Italy’s Food Valley: Parma to Ravenna?
OpenStreetMap lists 50 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Agriturismo Arco Antico, Camper Club Mutina and Centro Turistico Città di Bologna.
How much are the tolls on Italy’s Food Valley?
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about €11 (Italy). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.
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