[bsdbsd]

Originally Posted by shuchi05

Ok Based on your suggestion, we have decided to change our route to Blr-Yellapur->ankola->Karwar->Betalbatim.

Now google maps is confusing me on this route. Sometimes from Karwar to Goa it shows the straight route via the bridge on River Kali. But some other times it shows the entire circular route from Karwar -> Kadra and then back to Sadashivgad and then Goa. Not sure why. Is there some work going on on the bridge? Anyone has any idea about the Karwar->Goa route right now

Its just one straight road (NH 66) to Goa from Karwar. No need to get confused with the map. Turn it off for a while and follow the signs if you feel more comfortable. I came back from Goa last week and I didnt see any work interrupting the regular flow of traffic. In fact both the tunnels (both ways), and the flyover inside Karwar town are fully open now.

[Shrek8421]

Originally Posted by shuchi05

Ok Based on your suggestion, we have decided to change our route to Blr-Yellapur->ankola->Karwar->Betalbatim.

Now google maps is confusing me on this route. Sometimes from Karwar to Goa it shows the straight route via the bridge on River Kali. But some other times it shows the entire circular route from Karwar -> Kadra and then back to Sadashivgad and then Goa. Not sure why. Is there some work going on on the bridge? Anyone has any idea about the Karwar->Goa route right now

Dont worry about this. the older bridge over kali collapsed in august but the newer one is operational. dont take any diversions and proceed straight to goa

[abtyagi]

A quick route update.

There was an offsite at work in Goa, and my going wasn't decided till the very last moment. So, I chose to drive solo.

I did Goa Bangalore in Jimny in mid-August 2024 and with Fortuner again in mid-November 2024. Both times, I took the same Bangalore-Hubli-Dharwad-Ramnagar-Mollem route.

Route State
Most of the routes are Good now, though wherever broken, improvements are at a snail's pace. Sedans may have to be a bit cautious in a few sectors; the rest is fine.

Usual Breakfast point
I started a bit late on 14th November. My breakfast point is always Aproorva's at Davanagere for Benne Masala Dosa. My Journey till Apoorva is always filled with excitement about Benne dosa. So, the stretch from Tumkur to Davanagere is always completed in a jiffy.



Posing at Apoorva




Post that, the Journey to Dharwad was peaceful, even single-lane Hubli Dharwad wasn't bad given it was still a weekday.

Fresh Kunda at Big Misra Peda is a must for me. so a mandatory stop.



The Dharwad-Ramnagar stretch and then the Anmod ghat stretch were unbelievably beautiful.

Anmod Ghat Viewpoint



Near Mollem



To top that, there was almost no traffic at all until Mollem. However, we entered Goa at peak hour, so progress was slow, but nothing compared to Namma Bengaluru.


The highlight of the trip was the lunch at Tanjore Tiffin Room at Anjuna. The restaurant covers mostly Tamilnadu/Kerala(partially) speciality. This is an excellent place for lunch, away from noise. Beautiful ambience, exceptionally good food, and low-volume music. And unusual for Goa off-lately good service.



If you want to sit indoors



outdoor area



Main course tasting session

This was unusual, they brought every type of curry (~20 types) and different rices. It was hard to choose, as everything was delicious.


Dinner was at Calamari Bathe & Binge, which is IMO seriously overpriced, with OK service, and below-average veg food.

The return journey was also, smooth except from Tumkuru to Nice Road Junction.

Thanks for reading. Have a good day.

[sidsden]

Hi Everyone,

Me and my wife are planning a Goa trip this December. I know, it is the peak season in Goa but that is when work at office is at lightest and we can travel easily.

We did not plan on traveling by car, but I am unable to find flights with proper timings at reasonable prices. Sleeper buses are charging around 5K per berth, so we thought it would be best to travel on our own.

Since we live near KR Puram, we plan on taking the newly built Satellite Ring road till Dobaspet. From there, the route I am planning is going to be Tumkur - Chitradurga - Davangere - Bankapur - Mundgod - Yellapur - Ankola - Karwar. We are traveling to Calangute in North Goa, but since the distance might be a bit more to travel in one day, we plan on spending the night around Palolem and heading out the next morning.

While returning, we plan the same route, and will make a call around Davangere, whether we would need a break. If so, will book a hotel in Tumkur and head home the next morning. But given we will be so close to home, might just stretch the last 100-120 km and go home directly.

Need suggestions and thoughts on the route and also some suggestions on the stoppage points, since I would be doing this route for the first time. I chose the Yellapur route over Anmod looking at the comments by BHPians in the past comments.

In case any fellow BHPian is also planning to travel around the same time, do reach out to me, if we can travel together. My wife doesn't drive so it will be me driving all the way and I would feel much more reassured if there is someone traveling together (this will be my first 600km+ road trip, the previous longest was Bangalore - Kodaikanal).

[pmathur28]

Originally Posted by sidsden

Hi Everyone,

Me and my wife are planning a Goa trip this December. I know, it is the peak season in Goa but that is when work at office is at lightest and we can travel easily.
We did not plan on traveling by car, but I am unable to find flights with proper timings at reasonable prices...

I'm kind of in the same boat, travelling such long distance for the first time, with wife who doesn't drive( or more like I don't let her ). We'll be leaving for Palolem on 30th Nov, and I'm also looking for route suggestions, pitstops, any tips for this journey.

[ashkamath]

Originally Posted by sidsden

Since we live near KR Puram, we plan on taking the newly built Satellite Ring road till Dobaspet. From there, the route I am planning is going to be Tumkur - Chitradurga - Davangere - Bankapur - Mundgod - Yellapur - Ankola - Karwar. We are traveling to Calangute in North Goa, but since the distance might be a bit more to travel in one day, we plan on spending the night around Palolem and heading out the next morning.

Need suggestions and thoughts on the route and also some suggestions on the stoppage points, since I would be doing this route for the first time. I chose the Yellapur route over Anmod looking at the comments by BHPians in the past comments.

The distance from KR Puram to Calangute can easily be covered in a day. The roads are excellent barring the stretch between Yellapur to Ankola where the roads are relatively in below average condition.

If you don't have plans to stay at Palolem for a day and explore south Goa (Agonda, Cabo de Rama Fort, Selaulim Dam) then there's no point in halting at Palolem. The roads are 2 lane (most of the place) between Palolem & Madgaon (say 30-35 Kms) and then the remaining 50 or so Kms is very comfortable with 6 lane roads upto Porvorim after Panaji (about 10 Kms from Calangute). So it's no big deal and the road surface is awesome throughout in Goa unlike some broken sections in Karnataka..So unless you plan to explore South Goa, please continue to Calangute. It's easy and comfortable drive.

Please start as early as possible so that you can cover good distance before the sun is up. Do not go by the kms. The distance is not so intimidating nor difficult. It's a comfortable drive from KR Puram to Calangute.

[Gotcha]

To be frank, from Dharwad to Goa, the roads are nowhere near good, especially the incomplete works near Anmod and will not be for the foreseeable future unless people fiercely raise their voice with NHAI.

Originally Posted by abtyagi

Route State
Most of the routes are Good now, though wherever broken, improvements are at a snail's pace. Sedans may have to be a bit cautious in a few sectors; the rest is fine.

[sidsden]

Originally Posted by ashkamath

The distance from KR Puram to Calangute can easily be covered in a day. The roads are excellent barring the stretch between Yellapur to Ankola where the roads are relatively in below average condition.

Thanks for the suggestion. Though my decision to stay in Palolem is not entirely based on the fact that I don't want to drive all the way till Calangute in one day. Given the distance, and the fact that I will start from KR Puram around 4 AM, there is no way I will be able to reach Calangute before 7/8 PM, so I anyways have to stay one day extra there to make up for the day lost in travel. So, I thought it might just be better to make a halt and start and utilize the next day in full.

[serious_maniac]

Originally Posted by sidsden

Thanks for the suggestion. Though my decision to stay in Palolem is not entirely based on the fact that I don't want to drive all the way till Calangute in one day. Given the distance, and the fact that I will start from KR Puram around 4 AM, there is no way I will be able to reach Calangute before 7/8 PM, so I anyways have to stay one day extra there to make up for the day lost in travel. So, I thought it might just be better to make a halt and start and utilize the next day in full.

I have done the same route. I reached Palolem by 1:30 pm starting from KR Puram at 4 am. To reach North Goa you can take the Hubbali route.

KR Puram to Davangere : 3 hrs (by 7 am)
1 hr break
Davangere to Hubbali : 2 hrs (by 10 am)
Hubbali to Calangute : 4 hrs

So by 2/3 PM you should be at your destination. Early morning you can cover distance very quickly.

~sm

[sidsden]

Originally Posted by serious_maniac

I have done the same route. I reached Palolem by 1:30 pm starting from KR Puram at 4 am. To reach North Goa you can take the Hubbali route.

KR Puram to Davangere : 3 hrs (by 7 am)
1 hr break
Davangere to Hubbali : 2 hrs (by 10 am)
Hubbali to Calangute : 4 hrs

So by 2/3 PM you should be at your destination. Early morning you can cover distance very quickly.

~sm

Thanks. However I am not very inclined to take the Ramnagar - Anmod Ghat road from Hubbali. In the recent posts I have learnt that section should be avoided.

Hence, I will take the Bankapura - Mundgod - Karwar route. It would be great if we can reach Palolem by early afternoon.

Any tips on breakfast and lunch pitstops will be appreciated.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by sidsden

Thanks. However I am not very inclined to take the Ramnagar - Anmod Ghat road from Hubbali. In the recent posts I have learnt that section should be avoided.

Hence, I will take the Bankapura - Mundgod - Karwar route. It would be great if we can reach Palolem by early afternoon.

Any tips on breakfast and lunch pitstops will be appreciated.

If you leave BLR at 4-5am you will be on time at Davanagere for benne dose breakfast.

Carry on from there till Hubli, where you’ll have to take the left to Yellapur, Ankola / Aversa, and you may reach just in time for lunch at Karwar, where I would highly recommend Amrut, if seafood is your jam!

[sidsden]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

If you leave BLR at 4-5am you will be on time at Davanagere for benne dose breakfast.

Carry on from there till Hubli, where you’ll have to take the left to Yellapur, Ankola / Aversa, and you may reach just in time for lunch at Karwar, where I would highly recommend Amrut, if seafood is your jam!

Thanks. I've heard Davangere is famous for its benne dose, any recommended places we should try out that will not take us too far away from the highway?

Second question is, in order to take the Yellapur route, do I need to travel all the way up to Hubli? Google Maps says if I take the diversion from Bankapura towards Yellapur, the distance is 60 km less. So unless the road from Bankapura to Yellapur is really bad, it doesn't seem optimal to me.

[Game_of_Roads]

I'm traveling from Bangalore to South Goa (Varca) later this week. Have been following this thread for the last 3 weeks and I have decided that the Yellapur - Ankola - Karwar route is the best option given the road conditions. Car in question is a Skoda Slavia AT, and since I'm traveling with 2 kids, I would prefer better road conditions with lesser potential for surprises over distance.

Plan is:
1. Start from Bangalore at 3-3:30am and conver good distance while the rest of the family sleeps. Also avoid Bangalore traffic
2. Halt for breakfast - Davangere or elsewhere depending on conditions. Any recommendation of a breakfast halt with clean restrooms ?
3. Halt for lunch - Karwar ? Any suggestions for a good clean place with kids ? (Veg or mixed ok )
4. Plan to reach Varca by around 3pm

Any other suggestions or comments on this plan will be appreciated !

Thanks
Pavan

[Game_of_Roads]

Also forgot to ask - I'm looking for IOC/HP COCO petrol bunks enroute since I need XP95/Power95 and prefer Coco bunks especially during travel. Any suggestions?

[bsdbsd]

Originally Posted by sidsden

Thanks. I've heard Davangere is famous for its benne dose, ....

Second question is, in order to take the Yellapur route, do I need to travel all the way up to Hubli? ...

Originally Posted by Game_of_Roads

I'm traveling from Bangalore to South Goa (Varca) later this week...

Any other suggestions or comments on this plan will be appreciated !

Thanks
Pavan

The answer to both of you is : Apoorva Resorts located right off of the highway. Just read the posts above by /u/abtyagi.

Please take Bangalore-Hubli Bypass-Yellapur-Karwar-South Goa route. I dont suggest the route that is shorter by 60kms (Bankapura route). No need to go to Hubli, unless you are staying there.

Starting Yellapura + 30kms : Roads are not in good condition. Drive slowly.

I used to do these adventures when I was young...starting at 3AM etc. I have realized that its not worth it. Start at leisurely 8AM, halt in Hubli, and enjoy the drive to Goa next day. My unsolicited suggestion.