[ampere]

Originally Posted by Naetik30

I guess, I will take the decision on the diversion when I reach the spot - based on the time.

If you need a clean easy drive take the NH via Hubli. If you really want to see that part, then go via Mundgod. As others mentioned, you dont save much time via this route.

[bharatbs]

Guys, I need your opinion on the road conditions on the following routes:

Onward: (750 Kms) Bangalore > Shimoga > Jog falls > Murudeswara > Gokarna > Karwar > North Goa

I will be visiting Jog and Murudeshwar on the onward journey

Return: (600 Kms) North Goa > Khanapur (SH93) > Dharwad (By-pass, NH4) > Haveri > Ranebennur > Harihar > Davangere (By-pass) > Hiriyur > Tumkur > Bangalore

This routing from North Goa is only 600 Kms and I may save at-least 1-2 hrs (compared to Karwar-Ankola route), but how are the current road conditions?

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by bharatbs

Return: (600 Kms) North Goa > Khanapur (SH93) > Dharwad (By-pass, NH4) > Haveri > Ranebennur > Harihar > Davangere (By-pass) > Hiriyur > Tumkur > Bangalore

Have you contemplated on North Goa - Chorla - Belgaum - Dharwad - Tumkur - Bangalore route? In Dec 2012 when I last drove, the Chorla ghats were undergoing upgrade with a fresh layer asphalt.

Now it seems that the whole section is clean and clear. In fact, this is one scenic route that witnesses very less traffic and quite faster too.

http://goo.gl/maps/RlrSH

[ampere]

Originally Posted by bharatbs

Guys, I need your opinion on the road conditions on the following routes:

Onward: (750 Kms) Bangalore > Shimoga > Jog falls > Murudeswara > Gokarna > Karwar > North Goa

I will be visiting Jog and Murudeshwar on the onward journey

This would stressful as you break, see places and drive again. Even if you start by say 3AM, I am sure you would reach Goa only by night. Giving enough for breaks and visits.

Return: (600 Kms) North Goa > Khanapur (SH93) > Dharwad (By-pass, NH4) > Haveri > Ranebennur > Harihar > Davangere (By-pass) > Hiriyur > Tumkur > Bangalore

DOnt have to go to Khanapur. At Ramnagar you take the road to Alnavar and there on to the road to Dharwad. Ponda-Ramnagar is not all that great though.

[Hells_Fury]

Originally Posted by bharatbs

Onward: (750 Kms) Bangalore > Shimoga > Jog falls > Murudeswara > Gokarna > Karwar > North Goa

My wife and I rode down to Goa last month and this is the route that we took. You have nothing to worry about as far as the road condition is concerned.

[rk_sans]

Originally Posted by bharatbs

Guys, I need your opinion on the road conditions on the following routes:

Onward: (750 Kms) Bangalore > Shimoga > Jog falls > Murudeswara > Gokarna > Karwar > North Goa

I will be visiting Jog and Murudeshwar on the onward journey

Couple of weeks before i traveled till Sagar. Roads are excellent. If you are planning for night drive, just be prepared for mist conditions in that area. Also plan for eateries also.

[bharatbs]

Originally Posted by ampere

This would stressful as you break, see places and drive again. Even if you start by say 3AM, I am sure you would reach Goa only by night. Giving enough for breaks and visits.

I forgot to mention, I will be staying at Murudeshwar for one night before moving to Goa.

Originally Posted by ampere

DOnt have to go to Khanapur. At Ramnagar you take the road to Alnavar and there on to the road to Dharwad. Ponda-Ramnagar is not all that great though.

The road I have posted is a different one; it avoids Ponda altogether.

[bharatbs]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Have you contemplated on North Goa - Chorla - Belgaum - Dharwad - Tumkur - Bangalore route? In Dec 2012 when I last drove, the Chorla ghats were undergoing upgrade with a fresh layer asphalt.

Now it seems that the whole section is clean and clear. In fact, this is one scenic route that witnesses very less traffic and quite faster too.

http://goo.gl/maps/RlrSH

This is 80% the same route, except instead of going to Belgaum from Chorla, you take a shortcut via Khanapur and hit Dharwad (NH4).

Any idea about the road via Khanapur? I wan't basically avoid Belgaum city traffic.

This is the route I am suggesting

[ampere]

Originally Posted by bharatbs

The road I have posted is a different one; it avoids Ponda altogether.

Chorla-Khanapur, I am not aware and also have not read about it.
But if you want to take that, it defeats the purpose as you end up taking another SH to reach Dharwad which is not worth while.

If you plan to take the route via Chorla, then its better to drive to Belgaum. If you want to reach Dharwad then take the Ponda route via Alnavar. But I also remember Ranjit saying Ponda route is not that all that great. That leaves either Choral-Belgaum option of the one via Ankola-Hubli.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by bharatbs

Any idea about the road via Khanapur? I wan't basically avoid Belgaum city traffic.

Honestly, I am not aware of the road Via Khanapur. Ideally, crossing Belgaum City traffic is a pain only in the evening else it takes less than 30 minutes to completely exit the city through the main Bus Stand all the way till VTU campus.

I had to take the Belgaum-Chorla route last time as I had to drop my mother to Belgaum Bus Stand from where she was continuing her journey to Pune while rest of were driving to North Goa.

In general, Belgaum-Chorla route is all good to be called as another viable alternative to drive to Goa.

[swapnilup]

Originally Posted by bharatbs

This is 80% the same route, except instead of going to Belgaum from Chorla, you take a shortcut via Khanapur and hit Dharwad (NH4).

Any idea about the road via Khanapur? I wan't basically avoid Belgaum city traffic.

This is the route I am suggesting

To road to Khanapur splits after Jamboti at a Y intersection, left goes to Belgaum and the right takes you to Khanapur. I had been there about an year back and based on the road condition then, I would say avoid it.

[mashmash]

There is a wedding I need to attend in Goa in May this year. I feel like driving down and if I drive, it will be 3 adults and a 1 yr old, along with luggage(2 medium suitcases and a cabin size bag in the boot). Car is a Maruti Esteem.

1. Should I go ahead considering it could be really hot on the highway in May?
2. Can this be done in one shot with a couple of 20-30 minute breaks or do I have to rent a room en-route?
3. Best route with good roads and petrol pumps/rest rooms at regular intervals?
4. Any one done this with a Baby On Board?

PS: The same passengers (1yr old was then 11 months old) have done Hyderabad - Bangalore, with just one stop of 20 mins. But this drive is about 6 hrs only compared to 9 hrs(shortest route as per Google Maps).

Please advice.

MaSh

[bblost]

Originally Posted by mashmash

4. Any one done this with a Baby On Board?

PS: The same passengers (1yr old was then 11 months old) have done Hyderabad - Bangalore, with just one stop of 20 mins. But this drive is about 6 hrs only compared to 9 hrs(shortest route as per Google Maps).

Please advice.

MaSh

My daughter was around the same age when I did Hyderabad - Chennai - Hyderabad.
Each trip was about 12 hour of driving.

My daughter was safe and secure in her CHILD seat. Please note that I would avoid any driving especially if a highway is involved without having a kid in a secured age appropriate seat.

Also all adults need to be securely belted in.

Take all speed breakers with utmost care.
Prepare some easy to digest food for the baby.

Take into consideration unplanned halts. You cannot drive with baby in soiled diaper.

[manim]

Originally Posted by mashmash

Should I go ahead considering it could be really hot on the highway in May?

I had done Bangalore<->Goa in May-2012. It was very, very hot!, particularly the 4-lane stretch (till Hubli). The outside temperature was hovering around 39 deg C (shown on my Civic display).

You must ensure that the AC is in good condition.
Also the tyres must be in good condition.

There are 'Kamat' food breaks along the way. You can find them on google-maps.

You need to plan to reach Goa with an empty fuel tank, since petrol is very cheap there!

[mashmash]

Originally Posted by bblost

My daughter was safe and secure in her CHILD seat. Please note that I would avoid any driving especially if a highway is involved without having a kid in a secured age appropriate seat.

Also all adults need to be securely belted in.

Take all speed breakers with utmost care.
Prepare some easy to digest food for the baby.

Take into consideration unplanned halts. You cannot drive with baby in soiled diaper.

Yes to all of the above. Always.

Originally Posted by manim

I had done Bangalore<->Goa in May-2012. It was very, very hot!, particularly the 4-lane stretch (till Hubli). The outside temperature was hovering around 39 deg C (shown on my Civic display).

You must ensure that the AC is in good condition.
Also the tyres must be in good condition.

There are 'Kamat' food breaks along the way. You can find them on google-maps.

You need to plan to reach Goa with an empty fuel tank, since petrol is very cheap there!

Thats exactly what I wanted to know. Yes AC is good, but will surely be serviced 1 week before the drive and tested. Tyres are new, but will still be checked and all alignments done.

Reach Goa on empty tank, I am not sure if I will take that chance. I top up as soon as the needle comes close to half. But a good tip never the less. Will keep in mind.

Which route had you taken? What was your average speed?

MaSh