[alpha1]

I never got why ppl come over to Pune for going to Goa.
There is a direct Mumbai-Goa highway - aint it?

[riziali]

hi,
i guess its probably because the road via pune to kolhapur and then nipani on NH4 is a well laid dual carriageway without any on-coming traffic on your side of the road. makes driving simpler but a tad bit boring with all the endless straights. the asphalted curves on NH17 (mumbai-goa highway) is what makes it fun to drive. but at this time of the year the road surface conditions of NH17 are suspect. hence the post asking if anyones taken either of the routes in the very recent past.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by alpha1

I never got why ppl come over to Pune for going to Goa.
There is a direct Mumbai-Goa highway - aint it?

It is must faster because you have the advantage of the expressway and 4-lane expressway all the way to Nippani/Sankeshwar. Unlike NH17 which is 50% ghats and slower.

[SAHIR.KITTUR]

Originally Posted by alpha1

I never got why ppl come over to Pune for going to Goa.
There is a direct Mumbai-Goa highway - aint it?

There is a Panvel - Goa route ( NH17 ), Why come over pune / kolhapur ? do both the streches once & find out for your self, BTW I love driving NH17.

[riziali]

i Know of both the routes guys, advantages and disadvantages.
just need to know considering the incessant rains, which is a better option. NH4 or NH17?

[hvkumar]

NH17
+ Fantastic mountain roads
+ Great landscapes
+ No chance of getting lost on the way
+ Interesting detours
- Slower speeds
- Poor facilities
- Longer time
- Bad roads possible between Pen and Mahad
- Flooding possibilities near Mahad and Chiplun

NH4
+ High speed 4-lane roads for 70% of the way
+ Faster
+ Lots of facilities
+ All weather road
- Possibilities of bad roads between Nippani and Amboli
- Heavy fog descending Amboli ghats towards Savantwadi

NH17 can get damaged between Pen and Mahad and in the ghats climbing up from Pholadpur, but no where else. Safe and comfortable to drive during the rains as long as you are a good ghat driver. As of now, not heard of any bad roads.

[riziali]

thanks Kumar,
that was pretty helpful. A friends client is driving down this weekend, have asked him to get me a feedback too.
cheers

[Minardi]

Had travelled on the NH17 a couple of weeks back, no problems with the roads. I personally prefer NH4, but was forced to travel by NH17 as I was in a Paulo Volvo

NH17 is definitely exciting, but I can't stand the excitement for 10+ hours

[goandude]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

- Possibilities of bad roads between Nippani and Amboli
- Heavy fog descending Amboli ghats towards Savantwadi

Done Pune Goa yesterday nh4 till sankleshwar was fantastic bet the poll plazas are a big pain. turned off at sankleshwar and then the road detiriorates many patches with potholes but one can manage 60 kmph keeping a sharp look out for these rim benders.
Heavy fog at amboli. But NEVER go thru this road on sundays in the monsoon. Thousands of ppl come here to enjoy the waterfalls. as a result hute traffic pile up. Plus the revellers tend to become noisy and rowdy too. Lost 1.5 hrs here in an otherwise lovely trip. The new VDI added to the factor.
Wonder if it would be better to do belgaum londa ponda panjim??

[goandude]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

- Possibilities of bad roads between Nippani and Amboli
- Heavy fog descending Amboli ghats towards Savantwadi

Did Pune sankleshpur amboli sawantwadi vasco yesterday. NH4 good except for the toll plazas. Potholes on s'pur ambili rd restricts speed to 60. kep a sharp lookout for big rim benders.
Big fog at amboli. also aoid the route on sundays.

[saildrive]

Guys

Am driving on Saturday 22nd from Thane to Goa and return on 26th August.Keen to drive N17 which was fun last time around...not too many toll booths and a nice viewing too!

But on my way back am planning to drive to Ganpatipule and then head to Thane(Mira Road)

Last year's route : -
Thane - Pune Express - Amboli - Sawantwadi - Goa (going) NH4
Goa - Mumbai HIghway -(back) NH17

Please suggest the route and also the distance / time taken, will be driving in my Indica Xeta GLS

[saildrive]

Oops

Did not mention - want to hit Amboli waterfalls for sometime - is there any way that I can catch that too?

Cheers

[hvkumar]

NH17 route:

Bombay-Panvel-Pen-Vadgal Phata-Managaon-Mahad-Pholadpur-Khed-Lote Parsuram-Chiplun-Sangameshwar-Nivali (where you turn off to Ganapatipule)-Hathkamba-Pali-Lanja-Rajapur-Kanakavali-Savantwadi-Mapusa-Panaji

Please check out teh following link for Bombay-Goa route on Nh17 - this is a very leisurely drive, but you can do it in 8-9 hours.
H V Kumar - Driving Log Books - KUMAR'S DRIVING LOG BOOKS Bombay to Goa, May 2006
Note in the above log book, the turn off point for Ganapatipule.

Please check out the following link for Ganapatipule route:
H V Kumar - Driving Log Books - KUMAR'S DRIVING LOG BOOKS Bombay to Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Ganapatipule, May 2007
Check the return leg of the trip when I ham doing Hathkamaba-Nivali-Ganapatipule.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by saildrive

Oops

Did not mention - want to hit Amboli waterfalls for sometime - is there any way that I can catch that too?

Cheers

When you are coming from Goa, at Savantvadi (MH), immediately after crossing the MSRTC bus stand and town area, watch out for a right turn towards Amboli/Kolhapur.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by saildrive

Oops

Did not mention - want to hit Amboli waterfalls for sometime - is there any way that I can catch that too?

Cheers

you can catch it while going to goa via kolhapur route.
the famous waterfall is right on the road in amboli ghat 3 km from amboli on sawantwadi road.
you will know it automatically as there will be traffic jam.

for nagartas waterfall,
while going from ajra to amboli, you will touch T point where the road you traversing will touch amboli-belgaum road.
take left from that point[toward belgaum], travel for 3-4 km. there is small bus stop on left side. the nagartas waterfall is right behind that small bus stop. for going to amboli from nagartas waterfall, you have to turn back toward that t point and travel straight to amboli.

but if you are taking NH17 to and fro, then go as per kumar sir's post.