The Autostrada A1 is located in the regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio and Campania.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, successive administrations wanted this major infrastructure project to be completed as quickly as possible, as it would be a great boost for the national economy.

Construction began in 1956, and the highway was opened to traffic by then-prime minister Aldo Moro on 4 October 1964.

The section between Rome and Naples was originally designated A2, but it was incorporated into A1 following the opening of the bypass from Fiano Romano to San Cesareo on 21 July 1988.

The new section runs parallel to the central part of the Bologna-Florence Autostrada A1.