The roads from Benevento are big, difficult, with a lot of traffic for much of the way. But you can take a nice detour, mostly following the Fiume Volturno. Start with SS 264 and look for smaller roads that take you to Biancano, Limatola, and Cantinella. (If you want a beautiful ride through the mountains, go to Castelmorrone instead of Biancano.)

From Cantinella you can continue to S. Agata de’Goti, Bucciano, and Montesarchio, then follow SS7 into Benevento. Or if you have the time, go north to Solopaca, Vitulano, and on to Benevento.

Of course, the historic route of the true Via Appia probably went straight through S.Maria Capua Vetere, Caserta, and Maddaloni. But the alternative routes have fewer cars and more scenery.

When you get close to Benevento, there is a lot of traffic, noise, and pollution. But inside, Benevento is a beautiful city.

I recommend the Touring Club Italia map of Benevento and Basilicata. I think it costs 7 euro. It has very good details.

If I were you I would buy some local maps once I got there, and just walk the back roads in these places. Since you speak Italian, you’ll have no problem asking directions, and the people of southern Italy are incredibly kind and generous to travelers. You might even consider taking a train from Brindisi to Taranto, and start your walk from there.

There are many places where nobody really knows exactly where the via Appia went, so these alternate routes aren’t really “cheating.” Whenever you’re in doubt about where to go, follow SS7 or the equivalent, and you’ll be close. If you aim for Taranto, Gravina, Venoso, etc. you’ll hit all the main places that via Appia went, so you’ll be close to the true route.

As you get closer to Rome the route becomes more definite (email me and I’ll give you more specifics), but when you get to Terracina you might consider another detour through the Circe National park. If you do stay on the real via Appia (which leads in almost a straight line to the park just outside Rome), you’ll see an irrigation canal on your left. From time to time there will be footbridges so you can cross over, and there’s a good bike/hike trail along the other side.

After you pass Ariccia you can follow the signs to Rome, and keep an eye out for small street signs pointing to “Via Appia” This is a section where you can walk on the actual basalt stones for a few miles. Then you have to zig zag through a bit of suburbia, squeeze through a gate blocked by concrete barriers, and you’ll be in the actual park where all the ancient stuff is preserved. You’re probably familiar with this part, where you pass the catacombs and eventually make your way through the gate of San Sebastianm to the center of Rome, near the Colosseum. (You probably know this area already!)

Good luck, and email me if you have any questions.