[AtheK]

Originally Posted by Bhodrolok

Appreciate your inputs however the Google map route through Karwar is showing the route via Shimoga not Hubli, should I plan to take the Hubli route instead?

Originally Posted by vj_torqueaddict

Indeed you are right , my apologies I did not cross check with maps. I am not sure about the road condition via Shimoga. May be you can plan a halt there( Map says 6 hours drive from Mobor). But then, I have never been there( I want to though).

If you take Hubli route , you will reach Hubli in 4-5 hours from Mobor. Then you can take the Bangalore highway , which is almost 6 lane now except for Davengere to Durga. As per maps Hubli-BLR is 6 odd hours ( roughly it took 7 hours in my Bolero with sedate speeds). This will be a longer route though as compared to Shimoga.

I just came back from Gokarna this weekend. It took me around 6:15 mins to reach whitefield from Shimoga. I think shimoga will be a good place to stay for you.

[bsdbsd]

Originally Posted by vj_torqueaddict

...
If you take Hubli route , you will reach Hubli in 4-5 hours from Mobor. Then you can take the Bangalore highway , which is almost 6 lane now except for Davengere to Durga. As per maps Hubli-BLR is 6 odd hours ( roughly it took 7 hours in my Bolero with sedate speeds)...

Hi vj_torqueaddict, I am planning to drive to Varca during Dec last week. Please let me know the road conditions between Chitradurga and Hubli. Is it full of construction or manageable in a low GC car like Honda City (both to and fro). Your response is important to me as I will make my travel decision based on it :-).

Is Hubli-Karwar road in a driveable condition too? Thanks in advance.

[jkrishnakj]

Chitradurga to Hubli is definitely doable. The number of diversions is very less compared to the June/July timelines. They have opened up many of the sections already, just that, there were no lane markings on those stretches. If i remember right, there were just 4 diversions, each lasting about 2-3 km and it was all doable.

Hubli - Karwar is in a drivable condition, barring some small stretches that has deep cuts and broken sections. Easily doable, but at slow speeds. The volume of trucks in this stretch is heavy.

The update is as of last Friday, that i took this very route to Goa. We left at 4 am in the morning and we were at South Goa by 12.45 pm, with just two short breaks in between.

[vj_torqueaddict]

Originally Posted by bsdbsd

Hi vj_torqueaddict, I am planning to drive to Varca during Dec last week. Please let me know the road conditions between Chitradurga and Hubli. Is it full of construction or manageable in a low GC car like Honda City (both to and fro). Your response is important to me as I will make my travel decision based on it :-).

Is Hubli-Karwar road in a driveable condition too? Thanks in advance.

Hi,
From Hubli-Davengere I covered the distance in 2 hours, this stretch is almost 6 lane now. The work is still on-going for Davengere-Durga stretch , so there are lot of deviations. There are few unscientific humps here and there on service roads , but it should not be a problem for Honda city.

One of my friend is coming from Hubli to BLR this Thursday ( in a Honda city) , I will check with him and update you regarding the same.

Regarding Hubli-Karwar:

This stretch is good too for most part , its only in Arbail ghat section that the roads are bad ( Had been to Karwar last week). Honda city can easily go, provided you exercise caution around this stretch. If my memory serves me right , this stretch might be around 6-7 kms or may be less. Once you cross Arbail Ghat , all the way till Karwar, roads are very good.

Hope this answers, let me know if you need additional details.

[Bhodrolok]

Originally Posted by AtheK

I just came back from Gokarna this weekend. It took me around 6:15 mins to reach whitefield from Shimoga. I think shimoga will be a good place to stay for you.

Yes, it looks reasonable to me. Do you have pointers to any good hotels in Shimoga for a night stay especially with a kid in COVID times?

[vj_torqueaddict]

Originally Posted by Bhodrolok

Yes, it looks reasonable to me. Do you have pointers to any good hotels in Shimoga for a night stay especially with a kid in COVID times?

Hi Bhodrolok,
Some of the BHPians have recommended Royal Orchid Shimoga in this thread -https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/43726-bangalore-jog-travel-where-stay-4.html

Looks good to me , you can check this one out. I have personally added it to my wishlist for visiting Jog

[bsdbsd]

Originally Posted by vj_torqueaddict

Hi,
...
One of my friend is coming from Hubli to BLR this Thursday ( in a Honda city) , I will check with him and update you regarding the same.
...
Hope this answers, let me know if you need additional details.

Many many thanks for your answers and guidance. If I travel by car, then I owe it to you. Seriously, your response has helped me out in multiple ways. If you can update once your friend is back, I would be grateful.

Helping out community like this is very much appreciated.

[jkrishnakj]

Originally Posted by bsdbsd

Many many thanks for your answers and guidance. If I travel by car, then I owe it to you. Seriously, your response has helped me out in multiple ways. If you can update once your friend is back, I would be grateful.

Helping out community like this is very much appreciated.

For the return, I would recommend the route via Jog, Shimoga

1. The trucks will drastically slow you down till Hubli
2. The number of deviations is high and the quality of the roads at the deviations is bad. And if you’re returning back on a Sunday evening, the Q at the tolls will take a toll on you.

I’ll say, do the onward via Hubli and take the return via the non- toll state highways.

[bsdbsd]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

For the return, I would recommend the route via Jog, Shimoga
......I’ll say, do the onward via Hubli and take the return via the non- toll state highways.

This is another valuable insight. I had taken this route once about 10 years back. I felt its a bit longer route than the Hubli route. Also, I prefer to be on NHs due to relative "safety" afforded by high traffic. The issue is, while sitting at home we are all brave thinking about the routes, driving them etc, but when putting it into practice (while being with family), its a whole different game. Real life tests you to your limits.

[Arjun Reddy]

Guys, I am travelling to Goa by road on Friday morning. Targeting a 4 am start from Bangalore.
Can anyone give me an update on the fog conditions while leaving Bangalore ?
Thanks.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by Arjun Reddy

Guys, I am travelling to Goa by road on Friday morning. Targeting a 4 am start from Bangalore.
Can anyone give me an update on the fog conditions while leaving Bangalore ?
Thanks.

0400 has been my usual departure time and hence I can comment. Nelamangala Tumkur and Sira - Hiriyur -Chitradurga sections is where you can expect fog depending on the prevalent weather conditions in next 2 days. If the cyclone effect remains, the cloud cover would mean the fog will be lesser (as what I have seen) compared to chilly days when fog blanket is quite thick.

This was in December end of 2016 between Sira and Chitradurga when I was driving Bombay:

Also, there was one drive where I witnessed fog right from Kolhapur all the way till Davanagere when I was driving all night to Bangalore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC20wUcmSy4

Overall, very rarely I have seen thick fog on this sector that would make driving impossible or dangerous except few times.

[jkrishnakj]

Agree with Parag on lesser fog due to the ensuing rains.

I left last Friday at 4 am. We hit some mild fog right after we crossed the Tumkur toll, till about Sira.

Nothing that worries. We did slow down a bit. That said, it was more like a KM of fog followed by a couple km of clean sights followed by some fog. More sporadic I’ll say.

[rbg]

Originally Posted by Arjun Reddy

Guys, I am travelling to Goa by road on Friday morning. Targeting a 4 am start from Bangalore.
Can anyone give me an update on the fog conditions while leaving Bangalore ?
Thanks.

Hi Arjun, may I know which route you have selected and what vehicle you will be using?
I am starting for holiday inn south Goa Saturday 4:00 AM hence any latest inputs would be appreciated.
I heard plenty of diversions after Chitradurga.
I plan to take bankapur mundgod yellapur Karwar route.

Thanks.

[Arjun Reddy]

Originally Posted by rbg

Hi Arjun, may I know which route you have selected and what vehicle you will be using?

I am starting for holiday inn south Goa Saturday 4:00 AM hence any latest inputs would be appreciated.

I heard plenty of diversions after Chitradurga.

I plan to take bankapur mundgod yellapur Karwar route.



Thanks.

That's the best route to South Goa.

I am driving tomorrow morning.

I am most probably going to take the Belgaum road as I am heading to North Goa or alternative turn after Hubli.
I am going to drive my Trailhawk tomorrow.

I will try and update the tread tomorrow evening.

[vj_torqueaddict]

Originally Posted by bsdbsd

If you can update once your friend is back, I would be grateful.
.

So, to update on my friend's journey yesterday from Hubli to BLR in a Honda city.

* He left Hubli at 5 am and reached BLR by 12pm, with a break of 45 mins at Apoorva resort.
* As per him there were lot of deviations ( He does not know the progress that has been made w.r.t to the road work as he has returned from US recently, so I understand his perception about "too many" deviations).
* Did check with him if he faced any under body scraping anywhere, answer is NO.
* He could easily maintain triple digit speeds for most part.
* He did see lot of traffic near Tumkur toll , which I too am noticing these days , which was not present earlier during weekdays.

Hope this helps!