[CANPUSH]

Originally Posted by neel385

Any updates on the Belgaum Sawantwadi section. Am planning to go to Goa at the end of the month from Pune.
Also will it be better to turn towards Sawantwadi from Tavandi on NH 17, or go till Belgaum and then go via Amboli Sawantvadi?

Belgaum -Sawantwadi road is ok condtion. From Tawandi till Ajra road is not good in sections. Instead if you go to Ajra via Gadhinglaj conditions are little better. For Gadhinglaj you neet to go almost till Sankeshwar and then take service road on left to go to right below the NH4 through underpass to go to Gadhinglaj. Between NH4 and Gadhinglaj surface is broken but no pot holes and road is two lane. Tawandi -Uttur-Ajra is single road and some patches between Tawandi Ghat and Uttur are bad.

[fre2bpowerless]

I'm planning to drive to Goa, I haven't driven such a dstance before nor am I familiar with the roads Pune onwards. I'm gonna be using google maps, now according to that the straight forward route is Expressway - NH4 - NH4A - Goa. From what I understand from this thread, NH4A is never in a good condition and is best avoided.

What other option is there? I'd prefer reaching straight to North Goa. Is Amboli Ajra road - NH17 - Goa, a good option?

Thanks for you help.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by fre2bpowerless

I'm planning to drive to Goa, I haven't driven such a dstance before nor am I familiar with the roads Pune onwards. I'm gonna be using google maps, now according to that the straight forward route is Expressway - NH4 - NH4A - Goa. From what I understand from this thread, NH4A is never in a good condition and is best avoided.

What other option is there? I'd prefer reaching straight to North Goa. Is Amboli Ajra road - NH17 - Goa, a good option?

Thanks for you help.

NH4A via Belgaum to Ponda is the best option, the road via Ajra has some very bad stretches.

[v&v]

We are planning mumbai goa trip during 1st week of Jan. Destination is Verca.


1. I would love to drive through NH17 to Goa. What the present state ? Is it worth taking this road.

2. Take to popular route - NH4 (Pune - NH4 - Kolhapur - Belgaum - NH4A - Ponda - Margaon - Varca)

or the Ajra - Amboli route after Nipani.
or the Sankeshwar - Sawantwadi route

Thanks in advance.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by v&v

We are planning mumbai goa trip during 1st week of Jan. Destination is Verca.


1. I would love to drive through NH17 to Goa. What the present state ? Is it worth taking this road.

2. Take to popular route - NH4 (Pune - NH4 - Kolhapur - Belgaum - NH4A - Ponda - Margaon - Varca)

or the Ajra - Amboli route after Nipani.
or the Sankeshwar - Sawantwadi route

Thanks in advance.

NH17 is always the best way to get to Goa, is mostly fine. Avoid driving that highway at night.

[v&v]

Thanks HVK. I will take NH17. Usually with family i never under take night drive. Will start early morning hope fully 475 kms can be done in 10 hrs.

Can you just suggest a quick out from malad to NH17.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by v&v

Can you just suggest a quick out from malad to NH17.

Take JVLR from Jogeswari to Kanjur Marg via Powai, then go via either Airoli or Mankhurd to Kalamboli. Take the Panvel bypass where the Pune expressway starts to avoid the diversions inside Panvel town. Once on Panvel bypass, you will see good signboards to connect with NH17 after Panvel. Expect some rough roads and slow traffic from Pen towards Nagothane.

[deutscheafrikar]

Originally Posted by v&v

Will start early morning hope fully 475 kms can be done in 10 hrs.

The distance from mumbai ot goa is much more than 475 kms. Leaving early is the key, since driving from sawantwadi to mapusa afetr sunsets is bad not just due to the darkenss but also because of the headlamps of the oncoming Goa Mumbai buses. remember it gets dark early this time of the year. Safe journey to you

[akshay380]

Originally Posted by deutscheafrikar

The distance from mumbai ot goa is much more than 475 kms. Leaving early is the key, since driving from sawantwadi to mapusa afetr sunsets is bad not just due to the darkenss but also because of the headlamps of the oncoming Goa Mumbai buses. remember it gets dark early this time of the year. Safe journey to you

From Malad to Varca(not Verca) will be around 670 odd kms. Road(if I call it) from Banda to Goa border is non existent. Around 10-15km or so. 3nd gear crawling(less then 30kmh).

Actually they are making a bypass road which is unfinished. Things should vastly improve after that.

[faustus77]

v&v
Hi
NH 17 is a 2 lane highway most of the way with no divider.Avoid night driving as has been suggested by HVK saar
You can stay at Chiplun or Ratnagiri(city not on highway) or Kanakvalli.
As far as i remember Mahim to arambol beach(North Goa) is roughly 620 km.
Hope this helps
Regards

[nomadabhi]

Originally Posted by v&v

Thanks HVK. I will take NH17. Usually with family i never under take night drive. Will start early morning hope fully 475 kms can be done in 10 hrs.

Can you just suggest a quick out from malad to NH17.

Did the CBD Belapur - Devrukh last weekend via NH17.
The condition ranges from Excellent to good between Panvel-Navdi Phata

If you starting from Mumbai, to overcome traffice @ Panvel-Karnala Belt and save time consider the route which I took.

Here:



I started in evening from CBD and took the CBD-Gavhaan-Chirmer route. Do not travel on this route after dark. Roads are so-so but not too bad.
This route also helps you bypass the Toll you get between Karnala-Pen.

During my night drive, found a group of traffic cops at top of Kashedi Ghat. They tried to stop vehicle lamely. suspecting their *Good Intentions* I didnt consider stopping and went past SLOWLY just in case and everything was smooth.

One can easily manage 80-100kmph without stress on this route.

While returning the other day we entered Karnala-Panvel and took the JNPT/Panvel Tolled Bypass since it was late.

Here:



Though the road is divider-less and 2 lane, but condition is good.

[v&v]

Thanks to all. Reached safely goa yesterday. NH 17 is in great shape. Only Goa border is in bad condition.

I drove all the way to expressway toll and took Pen Connector road. Its in good condition. After paying toll exit via toll no 2 to pen. One of cousin and Khoj too suggested to try this route.

This avoids lot of traffic till pen from panvel.

[sachinayak]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

NH4A via Belgaum to Ponda is the best option

How long does it take from Belgaum to Ponda? Are the road conditions good?

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by sachinayak

How long does it take from Belgaum to Ponda? Are the road conditions good?

NH4A has cracked up since my last update, but if all is well, expect to take 3 hours between Belgaum & Ponda.

[bikefreak]

I'm planning to take my XUV to Goa this 26th.
Now after going through this thread I'm a little confused as to which road to take - via Pune or via Pen ?!
If I go via Pune - Satara - which is the best place to take the right turn to Goa ?
Should I stick to 748 after NH 48 ?
We plan to leave Mumbai by early morning (4AM) and hope to be in Goa by early eve (4PM).
Is this possible, should we leave at some other time ?
Are there any historical places of interest that can be visited along the way without deviating much ?
Any other suggestions.
Thanks