[rk_sans]

21st travelled to Majorda via Ramnagar-Mollem, lost quite a good amount of time bypassing the flyover work going on at 3 places. No 1 at Katysandra, 2nd after tumkur near oorukere and 3rd before sira. Took the Marsangal-Rangarook detour which is the best option. Left at 6 am from bangalore, went inside davangere for good dosa at Vasanth Benne dosa center, then small break near hubli then lunch break at Anmod, reached Majorda around 4.30 pm.
24th returned via Karwar-Yellapur-Hubli. Early start gave a good free run till i crossed goa. Started around 6 am and reached Bangalore around 4 pm with breakfast break at Yellapur Shanbhag then lunch break at purhoit. Majorda to Ankola cross towards Yellapur, road conditions are good. As mentioned by others, Yellapur stretch is good for 70-90 speed and watch out occasional big pothholes.

[SamDiablo]

Originally Posted by rk_sans

Yellapur, road conditions are good. As mentioned by others, Yellapur stretch is good for 70-90 speed and watch out occasional big pothholes.

Thanks for the updates. How is the Ghat section before Yellapur now? Travelled back to Bangalore through that route in Sep and the Ghat section was not in good shape with lots of sharp craters. Will br travelling to Gokarna again next week and this is my preferred route while coming back.

[ranjitkodali]

Travelled to goa twice over last 3 weeks - have tried both the routes (yellapur-karwar & Anmod ghat route).

Road conditions: Anmod ghat road is preferred. Yellapur - Ankola stretch should be done only at lower speeds upto 60kph. Big potholes could easily damage alloys or suspension.

Time traps:
Anmod route can be done between 70-90kph - the pot holes are much smaller and the only thing that could slow you down will be the RTO check-posts and railway crossing. Good to have speed breakers on village roads but govt should enforce regulations around size / gradient etc.

Road-blocks:

couple of diversions around tumkur (towards BLR) will make you reconsider roadtrips. The highway was choked by 7:00pm to 12:00pm on a weekday!

Caution:
experienced fog outside bangalore... so adjusting speed due to weather conditions is required to stay safe.

[rk_sans]

Originally Posted by SamDiablo

Thanks for the updates. How is the Ghat section before Yellapur now? Travelled back to Bangalore through that route in Sep and the Ghat section was not in good shape with lots of sharp craters. Will br travelling to Gokarna again next week and this is my preferred route while coming back.

Coming from Ankola/Karwar side, roads are not so good till Hotel Navami but you can maintain 60-70 kmph. Post that ghat section, every turn is roads are very uneven and need to slow down. Post that roads are good but only watch out for couple of big potholes after yellapur in the middle of the road. If you are heading to bangalore from that side then, take the Gabbur flyover ramp and you will get connected to NH48 near Gabbur which is very good.

[Lucifer68]

26-Oct-2023 Goa [Utorda Beach] to Rajajinagar, Bangalore - Route update.

Route taken : Utorda Beach > Karwar > Kumta > Honnavar > Jogfalls > Talguppa > Sagara > Shiralkoppa > Hirekerur > Ranebennur > Davangere > Bangalore

E2E 646 Kms - Total 12 Hrs [2 Breaks – 50 Mins + 40 Mins = 90 Mins]

05:35 - Started Utorda Beach
07:05 - Transit Karwar
08:00 - Reached Kumta [Breakfast 50 mins break]
09:30 - Transit Honnavar
11:05 - Transit Sagara
14:07 - Davangere [Reached Kamat Dvg bypass at 13:25 – Break for lunch]
17:25 - Reached Home - Bangalore

Comments.
1. Heading out of Goa, Google showed a path that was right thru the fish market, which comes to life very early in the morning. Had to detour for apprx 2 kms and then connect to the highway. Just check alternate routes to get out of the city.
2. Till Kumta, via Karwar, coastal highway. 2 lane till Goa border, post that 4 lane. Some sections where it narrows down to single lane, construction ongoing… limited impact on the duration.
3. After breakfast at Kumta, moved on to Honnavar, left towards Sagar and on towards Davangere.
4. Pros:
a) Minimum traffic, maximum nature. Lovely villages, and functional restaurants, Good food. Loved the breakfast.
b) If you want to enjoy the drive, this is one drive, you need to experience.
5. Cons:
a) Initial 8 to 10 Kms from Honnavar towards Sagara not so good roads….will have to slow down.
a) Between Hirekerur and Davangere about 30 kms of not so good roads. Can maintain 40 / 50 Kms speed.
c) Added 59 kms, compared to my onward journey.

Thanks for the practical suggestions, which helped me to enjoy the drive.

[db01]

I got back from Goa on 25th October, 2023

Route taken: Candolim Beach > Mollem > Anmod > Rangarook > Marsangal > Ramnagar > Hubli > Davanagere > Bangalore

Total distance ~600kms done in 9hrs 30mins (30mins break for brunch at Big Mishra Pedha before Hubli, good South Indian Food)

We left our hotel in Candolim at 7:00 AM and reached home in Hebbal at 4:30 PM.

The diversion at Anmod via Rangarook/Marsangal is a lovely scenic road; a friend of ours didn't take the diversion as they were worried it was too narrow for their Innova and said the 10km stretch on the main route was quite bad due to construction work.

Here is a pic of my car parked beside some lush paddy fields near Rangarook :

[TorqueyTechie]

Hi all,

I am traveling to Goa (Benaulim) starting on 1st Nov. I will be traveling with my family ( 2 adults and 2 toddlers) and in my own car. Looking at maps, it suggests taking the Bangalore -> Tumkur -> Chitradurga -> Haveri -> Mundgod -> Yellapur -> Karwar -> Majali -> Benaulim route. Is this the best route?

Also, I have planned Apoorva Resorts as a lunch stop but I think it maybe too early considering I may stop at Sira for breakfast. Any other suggestions post Apoorva resorts for lunch? Thank you

[m8002?]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

Hi all,

I am traveling to Goa (Benaulim) starting on 1st Nov. I will be traveling with my family ( 2 adults and 2 toddlers) and in my own car. Looking at maps, it suggests taking the Bangalore -> Tumkur -> Chitradurga -> Haveri -> Mundgod -> Yellapur -> Karwar -> Majali -> Benaulim route. Is this the best route?

Also, I have planned Apoorva Resorts as a lunch stop but I think it maybe too early considering I may stop at Sira for breakfast. Any other suggestions post Apoorva resorts for lunch? Thank you

If you are into seafood, plan for lunch at Karwar. There are some good sea food places there like Swetha lunch home and Amrut.

I usually try to be at Karwar by 12:30 pm to avoid the lunch hour rush. Then have a relaxed drive to destination in Goa.

[TorqueyTechie]

Originally Posted by m8002?

If you are into seafood, plan for lunch at Karwar. There are some good sea food places there like Swetha lunch home and Amrut.

I usually try to be at Karwar by 12:30 pm to avoid the lunch hour rush. Then have a relaxed drive to destination in Goa.

Unfortunately, we are vegetarians otherwise would have gladly taken up your suggestion

[krishnakumar]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

Hi all,

I am traveling to Goa (Benaulim) starting on 1st Nov. I will be traveling with my family ( 2 adults and 2 toddlers) and in my own car. Looking at maps, it suggests taking the Bangalore -> Tumkur -> Chitradurga -> Haveri -> Mundgod -> Yellapur -> Karwar -> Majali -> Benaulim route. Is this the best route?

Also, I have planned Apoorva Resorts as a lunch stop but I think it maybe too early considering I may stop at Sira for breakfast. Any other suggestions post Apoorva resorts for lunch? Thank you

Multiple people have reported on this thread that the Yellapur stretch is in very bad condition with big potholes and small stretch of good roads. This could get quite tiring on a long drive.

I'd suggest taking this route instead. Bangalore -> Hubli -> Dharwad -> Ramnagar -> Anmod -> Mollem -> Ponda -> Benaulim.

I took this route last week (to go to Cola) and the road condition is good except for a patch of 5-6 km just before Anmod. You can take the Tinai Ghat diversion if you're on a low slung sedan and don't want any risk.

[Ketav]

Hi All,

I was out for three weeks for an extended vacation.
Bangalore - Mumbai - Konkan - Goa - Bangalore.

I drove from North Goa to Bangalore on the 29th of October.

As usual, I read advice from fellow members of Team-Bhp for road conditions.

Based on recent advice from members, I took the following route.

Anjuna > Panjim > Ponda > Mollem > Anmod > Rangarook > Ramnagar > NH48 Near Dharwad > Hubli > Bangalore.

At Anmod, Do take the diversion via Rangarook, it is scenic and a smooth drive.

This road is smooth. No potholes.

It took me 5.5 to 6 hours from Anjuna (North Goa to NH 48 near Dharwad).

Do fuel up before you leave Goa.

[Sunil@KA25]

Last week I had been to Goa from Dharwad, and since I was going to Agonda, I decided the take the Dharwad to Kalaghatagi (PATHETIC road) from Kalaghatagi to Yellapura (Good roads but the best part is the, Awesome Poori kurma, masale dose and Buns at the legendary Shanbagh hotel), Yellapura to Karwar (OK-OK road - but have be very careful / Vigilant of the rim dent-able pot hoes), once you reach the Highway, it is mostly a four lane road with two lane at under construction patches at places. Once you enter Goa, it is un-divided 2-3 lane, but superb roads (The only killjoy is the speed limit of 60 / 70 KMPH on those wonderful Goan roads)

After looking at some of the potholes on the Yellapur-Karwar route, I though of taking the Anmod-Ramnagar route on the way back. The roads are good until you reach the Checkpost at the karnataka side , from the check post to Ramnagar junction the under construction road (if you call it a road) is just BAD patches with some good bits for a few hundred meters. from Ramnagar you have the toll road - Rs 55 - Cash only - un-divided two lane good road with lots (and lots) of curves and speed humps at every village until you reach Alnawar, then on continued till you reach outskirts of Dharwad and you might get slowed down at the railway over bridge if the gate is closed.

I felt that, to visit south Goa, better stick to the Yellapur-Karwar route, Slightly longer, but not many curves.
If going to Northern part of Goa, Dharwad - Ramnagar - Anmod is still OK- but with lot of curves - would not recommend if you have people with motion sickness in your vehicle

Most surprising part for me was at the IOCL petrol pump at Quepem where I thought I would fill up the tank and saw that was diesel was around Rs 2.00 COSTLIER in Goa when compared to Dharwad. The attendant told me that only Petrol was cheaper - it was Rs 97.xx in Goa.

Total distance covered - 400 Km - Mileage (T2T) - 21KMPL.

[vijayendra16]

Hi All. I am travelling to South Goa (Agonda) from Bengaluru with family and I am considering a night stopover somewhere in between preferably. Please suggest the best route to South Goa and places where a night stop could be done. I have people with motion sickness travelling with me so a route with lot of curves may not be ideal.

[vijayendra16]

Thanks Sunil. I was checking out the route options and see that one can go to Yellapur from Bankapur itself (going to South Goa) and then onwards to Karwar and Canacona. Basically, BLR-Davangere-Bankapur-Yellapur-Karwar(I think NH 66)-Canacona. Is this the right route that your are suggesting or should I go to Hubbali and then to Yellapur?

Originally Posted by Sunil@KA25

Last week I had been to Goa from Dharwad, and since I was going to Agonda, I decided the take the Dharwad to Kalaghatagi (PATHETIC road) from Kalaghatagi to Yellapura (Good roads but the best part is the, Awesome Poori kurma, masale dose and Buns at the legendary Shanbagh hotel), Yellapura to Karwar (OK-OK road - but have be very careful / Vigilant of the rim dent-able pot hoes), once you reach the Highway, it is mostly a four lane road with two lane at under construction patches at places. Once you enter Goa, it is un-divided 2-3 lane, but superb roads (The only killjoy is the speed limit of 60 / 70 KMPH on those wonderful Goan roads)

After looking at some of the potholes on the Yellapur-Karwar route, I though of taking the Anmod-Ramnagar route on the way back. The roads are good until you reach the Checkpost at the karnataka side , from the check post to Ramnagar junction the under construction road (if you call it a road) is just BAD patches with some good bits for a few hundred meters. from Ramnagar you have the toll road - Rs 55 - Cash only - un-divided two lane good road with lots (and lots) of curves and speed humps at every village until you reach Alnawar, then on continued till you reach outskirts of Dharwad and you might get slowed down at the railway over bridge if the gate is closed.

I felt that, to visit south Goa, better stick to the Yellapur-Karwar route, Slightly longer, but not many curves.
If going to Northern part of Goa, Dharwad - Ramnagar - Anmod is still OK- but with lot of curves - would not recommend if you have people with motion sickness in your vehicle

Most surprising part for me was at the IOCL petrol pump at Quepem where I thought I would fill up the tank and saw that was diesel was around Rs 2.00 COSTLIER in Goa when compared to Dharwad. The attendant told me that only Petrol was cheaper - it was Rs 97.xx in Goa.

Total distance covered - 400 Km - Mileage (T2T) - 21KMPL.

Attachment 2524214

[Sunil@KA25]

Hello Vijayendra,
Regarding the route from Bankapur to Yellapur, I am very sorry, I would not know, as I have never been on that route. I started and ended my Goa trip from Dharwad as it is my native place.
From the earlier posts, user- Lucifer68 have observed small narrow road from Bankapur to yellapur also as user/TBHP support "ampere" suggested - "again, going all the way to Hubli taking the bypass and driving via the regular Ankola route does not make you lose time"
The same thoughts are echoed by others as well - Go all the way to the outskirts of Hubli and at Gabbur you can see the Karwar connecting overhead bye-pass cutting across the Bangalore-Hubli Highway - go through that route. The yellapur-Karwar route is not having too many twisties (in comparison to the Dharwad-Ramnagar-Anmod route) but please be careful about the potholes post yellapur.

From your earlier post- you mentioned that you were planning a night stop enroute- If you have not planned anything yet - Hubli would be your best bet, (multiple hotel options - from budget to premium - are available), also, you will be switching over from the excellent 6 lane roads to a mixed of 2-3-4 undivided lane from Hubli onwards. so the break at this time would just be right - I feel. Also when I was planning my holiday- I see that most hotels / resorts in Agonda had a check in time after 12:00 noon. 6-7 hours from Bangalore to Hubli and around 4 hours from Hubli to Goa and you are just in time for the check-in.

Have a safe journey and an enjoyable holiday!