[sinharishi]

I am heading home(Mumbai) for Christmas/New Year vacation. I always prefer the Godhra-Modassa-Shamlaji route when driving towards Mumbai to Udaipur or vice-versa over Ahmadabad route, unless I plan to stay there. The following route is what I prefer taking between Delhi-Mumbai:

Delhi-Jaipur Bypass-Ajmer(bypass)-Beawar-Udaipur-Shamlaji-Modassa-Godhra-Vadodra-Surat-Mumbai.

[Caesar]

***Cross Posting from the GJ Road Queries thread, for RJ specific pointers***

Dears

I am planning a road trip at end of Dec, as under:

Day 1 - Chandigarh - Ajmer (via Panipat, WPE, Jaipur Bypass)
Day 2 - Ajmer - Deesa (via Pali, Sirohi, Palanpur)
Day 3 - Deesa - Bhuj (NH27, Dudhai etc)
Day 4 - Bhuj
Day 5 - Bhuj
Day 6 - Bhuj - Udaipur (retracing till ~Sirohi)
Day 7 - Udaipur
Day 8 - Udaipur
Day 9 - Udaipur - Jaipur
Day 10 - Jaipur - Chandigarh

The queries I have, and I'd be grateful for any suggestions:
1. Is there anything fundamentally wrong with the itinerary?
2. Any route suggestions, especially since it is my first time into GJ
3. What is the best place to see Rann from? Dhordo?
4. What all to do in Bhuj for the two full days?
5. Fuel quality pointers for RJ and GJ - Diesel

[jayded]

Originally Posted by R-Six

Hi Jayded,

....

So, you might want to rethink your plan about driving from Udaipur to Mumbai in a single stretch.

Drive Safe,
R-Six

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Refer to the alternate route here.

Thanks for the heads-up R-Six. I might as well take this alternate route as mentioned by Parag. I don't mind driving an additional 60-70 kms if the road conditions are good. Our current itinerary unfortunately doesn't allow us an additional break between Udaipur-Mumbai.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by Caesar

Day 1 - Chandigarh - Ajmer (via Panipat, WPE, Jaipur Bypass)

You can now continue till Kundli and then take the new expressway to Manesar ( Panchgaon) It will be less in distance and faster.

Day 2 - Ajmer - Deesa (via Pali, Sirohi, Palanpur)
Day 3 - Deesa - Bhuj (NH27, Dudhai etc)

Correct, this is a straight route, you need to turn on the Right at Palanpur ( straight goes to Ahmedabad) then onwards to Deesa, Radhanpur, Samakhyali- Bachau - Bhuj (Straight goes to Gandhidham/ Kandla)

This is what you need to follow, I believe there is a new road being made that connects Deesa to Abu Road but not ready yet. Google might take you via interior roads, I will avoid.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Chan...23.2419997!3e0

Day 6 - Bhuj - Udaipur (retracing till ~Sirohi)

You don't have to go to Sirohi, when you turn left from Palanpur towards Aburoad/ Pali continue straight, past AbuRoad there is a left exit near Pindwara that will take you to Sirohi and the straight flyover which turns right will take you to Udaipur.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bhuj...d24.585445!3e0

4. What all to do in Bhuj for the two full days?

Not much, you can go probably go to a beach -Mandvi maybe stay at some resort there instead of Bhuj.

Fuel quality pointers for RJ and GJ - Diesel

Reliance Company pumps and otherwise Reliance pumps across the route.

[damanbir]

Originally Posted by R-Six

Hi Jayded

Originally Posted by Rohan24

.

I just covered this route on my way back from Chandigarh to Pune.

Pulled Delhi-Mumbai in a single day and attaching the link to my post in the other thread.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...-gq-nh3-3.html (Pune to Delhi route : GQ or NH3?)

The roads via Halol and Godhra get nasty at the GJ and RJ border. A special mention to the unmarked lanes and sudden speed breakers on the way.

I returned Via the route mentioned here

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Refer to the alternate route here.

This road is absolutely brilliant and should be the preferred route. Even if one has to go to Udaipur there is a diversion from Abu Road which again might be longer but is safer and better than the one from Halol.

Incase any queries, I'll be happy to help

[aaggoswami]

On 27th of this month, I am planning to visit Jaipur for a day or two and having 3-4 days at my disposal.
Am planning to drive down in my Swift but given condition of tyres, I am a bit skeptical. Or I can take Innova.
The critical question here is route.
One if via Palanpur and the other one is via Shamlaji. I visited Ratanpur near Shamlaji in September and roads weren't exactly that good thanks to the construction activity of adding one lane on each side. This has made the route very tedious. Add to that the perennial concern of Udaipur bypass which is capable of killing time like anything. But how is the route further to that which happens to be Udaipur-Rajsamand-Beawar-Ajmer-Jaipur.

Alternate route is via Palanpur-Abu Road-Sirohi-Sumerpur-Pali-Beawar-Ajmer-Jaipur. This route has the intimidating Ahmedabad traffic on S.P. ring road and the dense traffic impacts overall progress till Mehsana.

[sinharishi]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

On 27th of this month, I am planning to visit Jaipur for a day or two and having 3-4 days at my disposal.
.
.
Alternate route is via Palanpur-Abu Road-Sirohi-Sumerpur-Pali-Beawar-Ajmer-Jaipur..

I will be taking the Udaipur-Shamlaji-Modassa-Godhra route to Mumbai on 24th-25th. Will update the thread as soon as I reach Mumbai.

BHPian quickdraw drove from Jaipur to Daman today, it took him 3 hours to cover 130 kms between Abu road to Ahmedabad.

[damanbir]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

I will be taking the Udaipur-Shamlaji-Modassa-Godhra route to Mumbai on 24th-25th. Will update the thread as soon as I reach Mumbai.

Try covering this during Mid day, as the road widening is in progress right out of Udaipur. Road from Godhara to Vadodara is a breeze with the good state highways with marked lanes and shoulders where necessary.

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

Alternate route is via Palanpur-Abu Road-Sirohi-Sumerpur-Pali-Beawar-Ajmer-Jaipur. This route has the intimidating Ahmedabad traffic on S.P. ring road and the dense traffic impacts overall progress till Mehsana.

I would still prefer this route. The Traffic you encounter on Ahmedabad Ring Road will be similar to Udaipur Bypass+Bad roads. It'll be less taxing compared Shamalji road, as you have to be extra cautious about potholes, speedbreakers and road widening.

Also, I prefer driving at night. There is no local traffic in the cities and towns plus the only traffic you'd encounter are trucks, which are mostly long distance travelers and they are very disciplined when it comes to road manners. I crossed the Whole of Ahemdabad Via the outer ring road in a matter of 40-45 minutes while coming from Kalol. If it suitable to you maybe you can do the same.

[sinharishi]

Originally Posted by damanbir

Try covering this during Mid day, as the road widening is in progress right out of Udaipur. Road from Godhara to Vadodara is a breeze with the good state highways with marked lanes and shoulders where necessary.

Yup, thats the plan. I have been driving on the stretch twice a year from couple of years and hence is the preferred route. Let's see how it goes.

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

I will be taking the Udaipur-Shamlaji-Modassa-Godhra route to Mumbai on 24th-25th. Will update the thread as soon as I reach Mumbai.

BHPian quickdraw drove from Jaipur to Daman today, it took him 3 hours to cover 130 kms between Abu road to Ahmedabad.

Yes, actual distance was approx 200km. Best to cover this route in early mornings since the road passes through lots of towns without bypass. So intercity traffic is at the highest during the day.

Jaipur to Abu Road was an absolute breeze on the route above, no bad roads and very low truck traffic with ample petrol pumps. Just doesn't have any decent places to eat, I stopped for lunch directly at Abu Road around 12 noon after leaving Jaipur at 6am.

Rest I would recommend you take Halol directly if you want to avoid Ahmadabad traffic. The ring road is absolute chaos right now, would strongly suggest avoiding it during peak hours.

Industrial areas near Surat/Bharunch which had some traffic and road works but nothing too crazy.

Fountain Hotel bridge is a big issue and ideally try to get to it around 11am-1pm time frame as it can take anything from 30mins to 3 hours for you to cross.

Hope that helps guys!

[abhikb]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

On 27th of this month, I am planning to visit Jaipur for a day or two and having 3-4 days at my disposal.

Am planning to drive down in my Swift but given condition of tyres, I am a bit skeptical. Or I can take Innova.

The critical question here is route.

One if via Palanpur and the other one is via Shamlaji. I visited Ratanpur near Shamlaji in September and roads weren't exactly that good thanks to the construction activity of adding one lane on each side. This has made the route very tedious. Add to that the perennial concern of Udaipur bypass which is capable of killing time like anything. But how is the route further to that which happens to be Udaipur-Rajsamand-Beawar-Ajmer-Jaipur.



Alternate route is via Palanpur-Abu Road-Sirohi-Sumerpur-Pali-Beawar-Ajmer-Jaipur. This route has the intimidating Ahmedabad traffic on S.P. ring road and the dense traffic impacts overall progress till Mehsana.

Go via Abu road-Pali stretch. The roads are excellent and you can easily cover 60-70 kms in a hour. Traffic is an issue till Palanpur but post that roads are empty especially after Sirohi. Ahmedabad to Abu Road will take 4 hours and from there onwards it will take around 6-7 hours to reach Jaipur. Udaipur stretch is under expansion and 4 laning work is going on.

[R-Six]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

I visited Ratanpur near Shamlaji in September and roads weren't exactly that good thanks to the construction activity of adding one lane on each side. This has made the route very tedious.

This hasn't changed a bit. Drove through this stretch early this month. Might make sense to take the Palanpur route as others suggested.

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

intimidating Ahmedabad traffic on S.P. ring road and the dense traffic impacts overall progress till Mehsana.

If you are starting from Vadodara, you can start your journey before daybreak and that would allow you to clear these bottlenecks way before the city wakes up and come into proper action.

Drive Safe,
R-Six

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by sinharishi

I will be taking the Udaipur-Shamlaji-Modassa-Godhra route to Mumbai on 24th-25th. Will update the thread as soon as I reach Mumbai.

BHPian quickdraw drove from Jaipur to Daman today, it took him 3 hours to cover 130 kms between Abu road to Ahmedabad.

Originally Posted by damanbir

I would still prefer this route. The Traffic you encounter on Ahmedabad Ring Road will be similar to Udaipur Bypass+Bad roads. It'll be less taxing compared Shamalji road, as you have to be extra cautious about potholes, speedbreakers and road widening.

Also, I prefer driving at night.

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Yes, actual distance was approx 200km. Best to cover this route in early mornings since the road passes through lots of towns without bypass. So intercity traffic is at the highest during the day.

Jaipur to Abu Road was an absolute breeze on the route above, no bad roads and very low truck traffic with ample petrol pumps. Just doesn't have any decent places to eat, I stopped for lunch directly at Abu Road around 12 noon after leaving Jaipur at 6am.

Rest I would recommend you take Halol directly if you want to avoid Ahmadabad traffic. The ring road is absolute chaos right now, would strongly suggest avoiding it during peak hours.

Hope that helps guys!

Originally Posted by abhikb

Go via Abu road-Pali stretch. The roads are excellent and you can easily cover 60-70 kms in a hour. Traffic is an issue till Palanpur but post that roads are empty especially after Sirohi. Ahmedabad to Abu Road will take 4 hours and from there onwards it will take around 6-7 hours to reach Jaipur. Udaipur stretch is under expansion and 4 laning work is going on.

Originally Posted by R-Six

This hasn't changed a bit. Drove through this stretch early this month. Might make sense to take the Palanpur route as others suggested.
If you are starting from Vadodara, you can start your journey before daybreak and that would allow you to clear these bottlenecks way before the city wakes up and come into proper action.

First of all, a big thanks to all of you for sharing your views and updates on road conditions.

Looks like I am getting skewed towards Palanpur stretch. In 2015 or 2016 I did Mt. Abu-Pali-Ahmedabad-Vadodara in one day. In that trip, I accidentally entered Sirohi too. Roads are good in general with traffic density as moderate which helps in getting good average speeds. Palanpur-Abu Road was very nice back then, and I am anticipating traffic thanks to Christmas holidays. A lot of traffic from Ahmedabad would be headed to Mt. Abu.

Regarding starting early, to be very frank, getting up early is one of the most difficult thing to do. But the scenes of horrendous traffic can be a catalyst for waking up early. If am able to cross Ahmedabad by 8 or max by 8:30, nothing like it. Dont know why, but I have made the blunder of missing Mehsana by-pass many times, wont make that mistake again. Jaipur-Abu Road in 6 hours is a dream run. I am expecting : Vaddoara to Abu Road to be covered in 5 hours while Abu Road to Jaipur consuming 7 hours.

Any good hotels in an around Jaipur ? Budget could be in range of 2500/-.

[SJM1214]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

Any good hotels in an around Jaipur ? Budget could be in range of 2500/-.

I stayed at Hotel Highway king many times during my journey to the north. The best part of this hotel is its situated on NH48. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone who is travelling to Delhi(Via Jaipur) by road.

Location.

[jayded]

Did a Mumbai-Jodhpur drive couple of days back. Started from Thane West at 8 am and reached Jodhpur at 12:30 am including a 1 hour lunch break, 20 minutes coffee break and a 20 mins traffic hold up due to a truck overturning outside Pali. Overall the road conditions vary from Good to excellent throughout. Till Vadodara, had to negotiate hundreds of trucks and it can get quite exhausting real fast. Once you hit the NE1 at Vadodara till Ahmedabad, then it's a breeze all the way. Took the Ahmedabad-Palanpur highway and it's in excellent shape and with sparse traffic. Had stopped for lunch at Cube restaurant after Ahmedabad. It's a decent place with adequate parking space in front on the service road.