North-to-South Distance Across Italy: How Many Miles?

From the northern Alps (near the Austrian border) to the southern tip of Sicily (Capo Passero), Italy spans approximately 750 miles (1,200 km).

That's roughly the distance from New York to Chicago—or London to Madrid. The "boot" shape makes the drive scenic but long; most travelers break it into segments or use high-speed rail for the mainland portion.