Driving in Chubu

We are planning to rent a car to drive from Nagoya to visit Okuhida Onsen, Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa (in this order). Do you know if there are any toll routes? Is it hard to drive to those places? How long does it take to drive one place to another?

We are also thinking of visiting Himi if we have time. Is it a place worth visiting? How long would it take to drive from Kanazawa to Himi?

Do you know if there are any toll routes?

Yes, you have the choice of toll routes in between several of these places.

Is it hard to drive to those places?

No. Only during winter, you might encounter snow covered roads. Some streets are somewhat narrow and curvy.

How long does it take to drive one place to another?

Nagoya to Okuhida: about 3-4 hours when using toll expressway between Nagoya and Takayama

Okuhida to Takayama: about one hour by toll-free road

Takayama to Shirakawago: about 45 minutes by toll expressway or 2 hour by partially narrow, toll free roads

Shirakawago to Kanazawa:
about one hour by toll expressway.

As for Himi, it is best visited when driving from Shirakawago to Kanazawa, unless you plan to travel in direction of Noto/Toyama/Niigata after your stay in Kanazawa.

Thank you for your help. We also have to drive from Kanazawa back to Nagoya. How long will that take? Are the toll fee expensive for this trip?

We also have to drive from Kanazawa back to Nagoya. How long will that take?

About 2.5 to 3 hours using toll expressways. The toll is around 5600 yen.