With the arrival of summer and departures for holidays, many Italians find themselves dealing with a real drain... at the service station bar. According to an investigation by Altroconsumo, a simple sandwich with cold cuts and cheese can cost up to a lot until 8,50 € in motorway service areas — a sobering figure, especially for those traveling with their family.
📈 Skyrocketing prices on the motorway
The difference with city bars is surprising. Here are some comparisons reported by Altroconsumo:
- Sandwich: €8.50 on the motorway vs. €4.30 in the city → +57%
- Brioche: up to €2.20 → +47%
- Coffee: €1,46 → +21%
- water: up to €3.18 per liter vs. €0.63 at the supermarket
- Coca-cola: €8 per liter (!)
Service areas often take advantage of a “temporary monopoly” situation: few alternatives, many passing customers, and very high margins.
👨👩👧👦 The impact on families
A stop on the highway for 4 people can easily overcome the 40 € only for sandwiches, drinks and coffee. We're not talking about a full lunch, but a quick snack. The hit to the wallet becomes even more painful if the journey is long and the stops multiply.
💡 How to save (without sacrificing comfort)
Not all is lost! Here are some practical tips to protect yourself from the "expensive sandwich":
- Prepare lunch from home: panini, fruit and water filled before departure
- Stock up at the supermarket: reduced costs and greater variety
- Use apps and maps: some distributors off the highway offer much cheaper bars
- Focus on snacks: sometimes a well-chosen snack is more filling and less expensive than a sandwich
📝 Conclusion
The expensive sandwich on the highway is just one of the many small costs that can turn a trip into an escalation of expenses. Being aware and organized can really make a difference, especially in times of price increases and budget-conscious families.
Holidays yes, but with common sense and… maybe a homemade sandwich!
😅 Anecdote: “Sandwich mission” on the A14 near Pescara
It was a scorching August afternoon, and the Rossi family — mom, Pope, two children and the dog Tobia - faced the long journey from Northern Italy to Puglia. After hours in the car, they decide to stop at the service area Sambuceto is, near Pescara, al km 241 of the A14.
Dad enters the service station bar and is overwhelmed by a price list that would make a starred restaurant blush: “Ham and cheese sandwich, €8,50. With lettuce and tomato, €9.20.” He gets back into the car with his eyes still wide and only one sentence: “This is fast-track haute cuisine!”
After a quick family summit — Tobit included — the decision is made: detour towards a small signposted bar a few kilometers outside the toll booth. Fresh bread, local cured meats, drink and coffee… all for €4.80 each. And with a view of the Abruzzo hills, clean air and warm welcome.
🔎 Morale? Sometimes you just need to go off track to discover that the real journey is also one of saving.
Happy Holidays!
Alex Gaetani