[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

Actually these questions are answered in great details in the previous posts on this thread, and there is nothing new to add :-)

In fact, not just the 330i, but even M340i guys have done this route together with me and had no trouble whatsoever!

As has been discussed multiple times in the previous posts, do NOT take either of these shortcuts. Not recommended at all, especially in a 3 series. Instead, take the new Hubli bypass.

Thanks, AD! I remembered your June ‘24 post(s) as well as your blown RFT.

Will definitely stick to the good roads as and when we go.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Thanks, AD! I remembered your June ‘24 post(s) as well as your blown RFT.

Hahaha. Yes, the blown RFT on this same route comes to my mind too every time we discuss this route. Yes, it happened on this same route (Yellapur-Ankola stretch).

However, that was back in August 2022. That time this road was in the worst condition. It was full of really nasty potholes and extreme bad patches that came suddenly in the middle of very smooth patches, totally deceiving the drivers. In fact, some of the potholes were so big that I was lucky to get away with just a blown out tyre - there were many vehicles including trucks and taxis who had broken axles and those kind of nasty issues on that road. It was common to see many broken down vehicles on the side of that road during that period. Later I did another drive that year, and it was still bad. Then I did a drive to Goa and a few other drives via that road in 2023, and that time the road was still bad but by then I was used to this and was super careful.

However, I found the road to be totally fixed and smooth, in a drive in early 2024. Since then, the road condition has been generally very good there. I did a couple of more drives on that road in 2024, and except for a few mild potholes that have reappeared, I found the roads to be totally fine. My latest drive there was sometime at the end of 2024, and the road was fine. I have not driven there in 2025 yet, but the conditions would not worsen now in this dry season - that happens once the extreme heavy rains start in that area in July.

In general, you will see a trend if you read posts on this road's condition over last 4-5 years in this thread. You will see a seasonality - the road typically gets broken and becomes dangerous post heavy rains in July, and most reports from August to December mention bad roads. And then they fix it by end of the December or January, and most reports from January to June mention very good roads. And my own experiences tell me the same!

So in summary, forget those horrors of August 2022. Those days are gone now. The road is much nicer, and much safer to drive. In fact, the road is very scenic and when in top condition, one of the best roads to enjoy your low slung German sedan! Again, I would say that would be the case at least till June 2025. After that once the heavy rains start, we have to wait and see!

Also, another interesting trend if you observe is that when this road goes bad after torrential rains in that area, the other roads to Goa also go bad and they become even worse! So regardless of how good or bad this road is in absolute terms, in relative terms, this road remains one of the best roads to Goa among all the available options in any given season! In fact, I remember recommending this road to people going to North Goa too, during the peak monsoon season, because however bad this road was, the other roads to North Goa were even worse under those torrential rains!

In summary, if you are driving to South Goa, then Hubli-Ankoka-Karwar-Goa road is a no-brainer, and is a beautiful road and very enjoyable in a nice sedan. Just be a little careful of an occasional pothole that might surprise you, and otherwise enjoy the road. Especially in the summer months when this road sees fresh tarmac!

Just remember to drive all the way till Hubli and take that Hubli bypass, and ignore all intermediate left turns that Google Maps will keep insisting on.

If you want to ensure Google Maps does not go crazy there, a safer method is to use a waypoint just after Hubli bypass. For example, add this restaurant as your destination or waypoint in Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HeqXHiW7DhhMKtK66

This will ensure Google Maps will not suggest the other shortcuts which are totally not worth it.

Will definitely stick to the good roads as and when we go.

Have a good drive and have fun!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

However, that was back in August 2022. That time this road was in the worst condition. It was full of really nasty potholes and extreme bad patches that came suddenly in the middle of very smooth patches, totally deceiving the drivers. In fact, some of the potholes were so big that I was lucky to get away with just a blown out tyre - there were many vehicles including trucks and taxis who had broken axles and those kind of nasty issues on that road.

Somehow I was always lucky on this section. Never had issues on pot holes. Add to that the brilliant drive till Hubli and a clean bypass to Yellapur/Ankola. Even the Hubli-Ankola has been a belter.

The usual time I see:

• Start by 4AM and make it to Hubli by 0930. An easy average of 85-90 and driving at 100-110 (and not more). That would be ~450km
• This also includes a 30 min break (usually Apoorva)
• Hubli-Ankola is another belter (well usually ) One can make it by 1130-1200. Our pitstop used to be the Kamat at Ankola. But the place is very run down. Need to find an alternative. (Will mostly switch to a place in Karwar)
• Post lunch we leave by 1245/1300: And make it to a resort in south goa by 1430-1500.

[heysac]

Thanks for the useful.tips and the gmap hack to catch the bypass easily.

We got late and started by 6 am from Bangalore, still hit Palolem by 3.30 pm!

I was able to catch up on the list time at Mumbai expressway. The road is awesome, little traffic, no speed cameras or guns!

In Goa be careful, they are strict. The only place where you can push the pedal is the bridge area where they have no place to park the traffic vehicle and no cameras either. They also have some automated cameras at other places and stop you much later for challan. The advice above on this thread helped us be careful in Goa!

Has anyone faces any traffic cameras on Mumbai expressway ever from Tumkur to Hubli?

Originally Posted by ampere

Somehow I was always lucky on this section. Never had issues on pot holes. Add to that the brilliant drive till Hubli and a clean bypass to Yellapur/Ankola. Even the Hubli-Ankola has been a belter.

The usual time I see:

• Start by 4AM and make it to Hubli by 0930. An easy average of 85-90 and driving at 100-110 (and not more). That would be ~450km
• This also includes a 30 min break (usually Apoorva)
• Hubli-Ankola is another belter (well usually ) One can make it by 1130-1200. Our pitstop used to be the Kamat at Ankola. But the place is very run down. Need to find an alternative. (Will mostly switch to a place in Karwar)
• Post lunch we leave by 1245/1300: And make it to a resort in south goa by 1430-1500.

[SouthCity987]

Hi All,
I utilized the recommendations provided in this forum to plan my journey to South Goa. Having traveled there on April 20th, I am sharing my travel route and designated stops for the reference of those planning a similar trip. Based on the guidance from the forum, I followed this route:

Nelamangala → Tumkur → Davanagere → Hubballi → Yellapur → Karwar → Palolem.

• Started at 5.30a.m from home and reached Sira by 7.30a.m. Took NH48/AH47, roads are good barring the diversions for flyovers under construction. Stopped for breakfast at A2B, it’s a decent place and service was quick.
• Drove a straight 5hrs 45 mins towards Karwar via Hubballi on NH48. This was a good 6 lane highway and hence could maintain good speed here. Took the Hubballi bypass to NH52. Here, they have made several loops and had to be careful to connect to the right road.
• Once on NH52, roads are two lanes but good. The road is being relayed in this section which makes most of it smooth to drive. There are winding roads through the forest area which makes for a pleasant drive although there is always the problem of slow-moving trucks. Had to make several overtakes on this road and was slowed down a number of times.
• Stopped at Karwar around 2.00p.m for lunch and then headed straight to Goa, entered the state around 3.00p.m and was able to reach Cavelossim Beach by 4.00p.m.

Overall, there was no issues with the roads and reached my destination in around 11hrs.

[Albatroz]

Hello BHPians,
I will be traveling to Majorda, Goa on 30th April in a Tata Altroz and Google suggests I take the Hubbal-Dharwad-Ramnagar-Mollem-Ponda stretch to reach Majorda. I would like your help in understanding if the road stretch between Dharwad and Mollem is still full of craters or has it been repaired and would be a decent and safe drive ?

[Ketav]

I drove from Pali (District Ratnagiri, Maharashtra), Konkan to Bangalore yesterday, 27th April 2025.

Google Maps recommended the Kudal - Sawantwadi - Amboli Ghat - Belagavi (Belgaum) - Hubli - Bangalore route.

I decided to take that route.

The road condition is good.

Amboli Ghat is narrow in some stretches. Drive carefully.

[CannedShroud]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

How long usually - It takes anything between 9 to 12 hours depending on traffic and stops.

My suggestion would be, try to start a bit earlier than 5.00 AM, crossing Tumkur is the biggest hurdle, past that its mostly smooth sailing till Belgaum byepass.

Also, by starting early, you will be able to reach Goa around lunch time. That way skipping another stop enroute and also saving some time for you to rest on reaching your place of stay.

To give a comparison, I usually start by 3.30 AM - 4.00 AM from near to HSR layout. Stop for breakfast just before Belgaum. Reach Goa by around noon.

Ofcourse, with kids in car, you may have to make additional stops, still even if you add an hour or two, you would end up driving the whole day.

That sounds great! What route is this?

[ranjeet_sam]

Drove down to South Goa from Bangalore Bommasandra today. Started at 4.00am and reached South Goa, Patnem at 1.00 pm. Stopped for breakfast at Apoorva resorts, near Davengere, took a long breakfast break of almost 1 hour. The route taken was Bangalore, Niceroad Tumkur road exit, Sira, Chitradurga, Davengere, Haveri, Hubli bypass, Bankapura, Karwar, South Goa. Roads are good throught and you can maintain decent speeds. Skipped the usual shortcut the cuts across to Bankapura via Yelapur as that route is quite narrow and was not sure about the road condition.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by CannedShroud

That sounds great! What route is this?

Hubli - Ramnagar - Ponda route.

[CannedShroud]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Hubli - Ramnagar - Ponda route.

Heard about some trouble / work after tumkur area. I'm planning to go to Whitefield and leave at around 4:30 AM from Goa. Any advice as to what time I should aim at hitting banglore and what route I could take to hopefully circumvent a lot of the traffic?

Whitefield means. I can either take the ORR or the Satellite ring road right?

Please share your thoughts on this

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by CannedShroud

Heard about some trouble / work after tumkur area.

Yes, between Tumkur - Bangalore there is a never ending road work. As per news reports today, it may extend to 2027, so no luck there. However, there is no major diversions on the driveway due to that. Its just that that section is a pain to drive due to narrow road section compared to the traffic.

If you are taking STRR, you only need to go through some 20 odd kms of this worst sections since you will exit at Dabbaspet. However, this adds some 60 odd kms to your entire drive. So there will not be much time savings, you can exit at Hoskote and then head to Whitefield from there.

[CannedShroud]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Yes, between Tumkur - Bangalore there is a never ending road work. As per news reports today, it may extend to 2027, so no luck there. However, there is no major diversions on the driveway due to that. Its just that that section is a pain to drive due to narrow road section compared to the traffic.

If you are taking STRR, you only need to go through some 20 odd kms of this worst sections since you will exit at Dabbaspet. However, this adds some 60 odd kms to your entire drive. So there will not be much time savings, you can exit at Hoskote and then head to Whitefield from there.

Thanks a lot. What would you recommend? Also, hitting banglore at around 3 sounds like a sane idea? Or is there a better way to plan this

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by CannedShroud

Thanks a lot. What would you recommend? Also, hitting banglore at around 3 sounds like a sane idea? Or is there a better way to plan this

Would recommend STRR since it avoids the confusion of driving though ORR + Hebbal section.

Reaching Bangalore around 3.00 PM is fine.

[Albatroz]

Trip report: I did a trip in my Tata Altroz from Bengaluru (Bannerghatta) to Goa ( Majorda) on the May 1st long weekend. After checking the last few posts on route, we decided to take the Tumkur, Davangere, Hubbali exit towards Yellapur, Karwar then Majorda. Stopped at Apoorva resorts for breakfast to enjoy some hot Benne Dosas. The Hubbali exit to Karwar via Yellapur roads were smooth and enjoyable to drive.

On the way back, we too the same route back almost. We went via Karwar till kalaghatgi and then turned towards Tadas. Would not recommend that as there is lot of road work going on and bad roads through the villages. After Tadas we joined NH near Haveri and continued towards Bengaluru.

Highly recommend Om Sai Dhaba in Bankapura on your way back, for the food and not the ambience. Typical dhaba style hot and fresh food.