[SajiNSalin]

The monsoon seems to be weak this year. You shouldn't have any problems with the weather, going by the situation so far. Also it doesn't rain so heavily in the route you have chosen, so I don't think there are any issues.

The weather might be just perfect with some greenery by the side of the road. With a Scorpio, you don't have to bother even if the road is flooded, as it is diesel and has high ground clearance.

Regards

Saji

[Gannu_1]

Guys, we are planning a trip to Jodhpur next month. Wanted some pointers from someone who’s done this route (recently or even otherwise).

This is the route map:



There is a stopover at Anand as my wife has to give a test at a university there. So we’ll be departing Surat on April 11th, drive via Rajpipla to avoid the dreaded Bharuch/Ankleshwar block (long detour but better than being in the block and crawling!) and stay at Anand for the overnight. On the next day (April 12th), the exam will be done by afternoon so we plan to depart Anand around 2 PM after lunch towards Udaipur via Modasa - Kherwara route and stay at Udaipur for the overnight. Will depart Udaipur early morn the next day (April 13th) towards Jodhpur.

Thing is, I have driven till Udaipur via Ahmedabad - Himmatnagar and the roads were okay’ish from Himmatnagar to Udaipur. 4-laned but the asphalt wasn’t smooth and had some weird groove-like surface. The drive was a bit boring thanks to the dry barren lands by the sides of the roads. We intend to take the Modasa route this time for a change.

Google Maps says, from Udaipur towards Jodhpur, the roads are single laned and goes via Pali. How is this stretch? Are there sufficient road-side restaurants for loo-breaks and such? Any pointers in this regard will be really helpful for the trip. Thanks!

[Engine_Roars]

Hi Team,

Background: I have a longish holidays approaching because of a Job switch, I have planned to visit my parents who live in Jodhpur during this holiday. I have already booked the tickets, as I had initially planned to travel using trains however I always wanted to grab this opportunity to burn some fuel and spend some quality time alone. My parents get freaked out every time I tell them that I would be driving for any long distance, for example last year, Me & my wife did this route, and my parents accompanied us back to Pune to make sure that we were safe (They love us, and we are blessed). So, I thought it is best to stay away from my car for this trip and let them sleep peacefully.

All was going as usual till today morning, when I happened to mention this to my wife that I wanted to drive this time too hoping that she would infuse some senses in me and I will stop thinking weird stuff, but wife had different plans. She said, you should do it when you can do it. Life is too short to postpone your desires & passion. That was it, she hit the last nail.

Here I am, calling all the gurus, to help me plan a trip which will be the first of its kinds for me. As mentioned earlier, I have done this route during last Diwali, but it was a bit different as I had my wife with me one way, and my parents & my wife while coming back. This time, it will just be me, my machine, and some beautiful roads.

It is a total of 2500 Kms (To and fro). I plan to cover this distance taking two days each side. The route I took last year was, Pune>Mumbai>Ahmedabad>Sirohi>Pali>Jodhpur. Since, I will be driving alone, I plan to make it a bit adventurous. I plan to camp at nights(Two) and not check in to any of the hotels. My drive is Hyundai Xcent(Petrol, ABS Variant). It has run 10,000 kms and is 1 year old. Below given are few queries:

1. Is camping a good idea (Safety wise) ?
2. Places I can camp at (Preferably around Ahmadabad)?
3. Can I make my car compatible to charge my laptop?
4. Any changes in the route? Any must visit place?
5. Any thing else?

Disclaimer: This trip still depends on my parent's reaction to this, there are chances that I might not be able to take this trip this year, although very less.

Thanks!!
Ashish

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by Engine_Roars

It is a total of 2500 Kms (To and fro). I plan to cover this distance taking two days each side.

Solo Drives always fascinates me! I am such a good husband that I tell my wife that I will drop her to here hometown in Gujarat and drive back solo and all this within budget . Returned solo from Rajkot to Bangalore last May. Else have done so many Solo Pune-Bangalore runs between 2009-10 in my WagonR. All the best and I am sure you will have fun driving all alone.

3. Can I make my car compatible to charge my laptop?

Belkin DC-AC Convertor is your best answer. Find more details here.

5. Any thing else?

• Carry enough coins and loose change - Helps a lot at Booths
• Instead of a wallet, have a plastic container to keep notes and coins
• Have a stationary binding clip to hold all your toll receipts in place - Easy to handle when you drive too
• Keep most used stuff closer so that you can pick it up easily
• Have different genres of music - At times, it can get boring and sudden change in sound track can make you happy
• Drive without music and enjoy the engine note at cruising speeds - This is even more fun
• Take breaks as necessary - When Solo, your mind will always force you keep going On and On and On and you might as well skip few important meals (happened to me)

[sudeepg]

Originally Posted by Engine_Roars

5. Any thing else?

a. Tyre Inflator
b. Spare tube
c. Torch Light
d. Extra Fuses
e. Maybe some coolant (just in case)?

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by sudeepg

a. Tyre Inflator
b. Spare tube
c. Torch Light
d. Extra Fuses
e. Maybe some coolant (just in case)?

Would that have anything specific to do with his solo drive requirements?

I think this is applicable for any typical long drive. If so, the list can be so much exhaustive and we will already have so many discussions and perhaps threads on the same.

[sudev]

Solo driving from Delhi to Ahmedabad to Vizag and back to Delhi all I needed was good music on a thumb drive, plenty of hydration stock - I prefer plain soda to water or cola's - plus plenty of five rupee packs of salt munches - Bhujiya, dal, peanuts etc.

No stops apart from few bio breaks or quick meals at dhaba.

[Engine_Roars]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Solo Drives always fascinates me! I am such a good husband that I tell my wife that I will drop her to here hometown in Gujarat and drive back solo and all this within budget . Returned solo from Rajkot to Bangalore last May. Else have done so many Solo Pune-Bangalore runs between 2009-10 in my WagonR. All the best and I am sure you will have fun driving all alone.

Belkin DC-AC Convertor is your best answer. Find more details here.

• Carry enough coins and loose change - Helps a lot at Booths
• Instead of a wallet, have a plastic container to keep notes and coins
• Have a stationary binding clip to hold all your toll receipts in place - Easy to handle when you drive too
• Keep most used stuff closer so that you can pick it up easily
• Have different genres of music - At times, it can get boring and sudden change in sound track can make you happy
• Drive without music and enjoy the engine note at cruising speeds - This is even more fun
• Take breaks as necessary - When Solo, your mind will always force you keep going On and On and On and you might as well skip few important meals (happened to me)

Ha Ha, yeah you seem like a good husband, in fact if that is the criteria most of us on T-Bhp are the best of the lot. I am sure too that it is gonna be fun, I have goosebumps thinking about it. The product looks promising, thanks for the link!

Originally Posted by sudeepg

a. Tyre Inflator
b. Spare tube
c. Torch Light
d. Extra Fuses
e. Maybe some coolant (just in case)?

I already have all of these, as I have done few longish road trips earlier but those were with my parents or wife. This time around, I am planning to go solo and hence the query, never mind thank you for reminding the importance of these.

Originally Posted by sudev

Solo driving from Delhi to Ahmedabad to Vizag and back to Delhi all I needed was good music on a thumb drive, plenty of hydration stock - I prefer plain soda to water or cola's - plus plenty of five rupee packs of salt munches - Bhujiya, dal, peanuts etc.

No stops apart from few bio breaks or quick meals at dhaba.

Music is a big part of my life, so I keep it handy, always. Regarding stops - I plan to take this trip as it comes. Meaning, I am not targeting to complete it in a day, I want to spend some time wandering, camping. I hope it works.

[arun_112]

Ahmedabad to Thane by road was done in 7 hours 15 minutes on 6-4-2016 including 45 minutes lunch break. Total 530 Kms, toll Rs 492, time taken 7:15 hours. Average speed 90 to 100 Kmph.

Road condition is excellent and no potholes or any type of road blockage.

To help you with the exact locations I would suggest you to make your TRIP A readings to 000 and strictly follow these instructions-

000 Ahmedabad to Baroda Expressway starts (time 00:00 hrs)
003 First toll naka for Rs 95 to Baroda ( they charge Rs 45 for nadiad and Rs 60 for Anand)
060Anand Exit
088 Expressway ends at Baroda (time 00:47 hrs)
096 Take right turn to enter Baroda city
110 Jagdish Food Mall
130 Darshan Pure Veg restaurant (time 2:05 hrs)
146 Toll Rs 85
203 Hotel Sanman
216 Subway Sandwich/ Dominos / Cafe Coffee Day
236 Toll Rs 65
237 CNG Pump just after toll
237 Girnar Restaurant-kathiavadi, punjabi, etc
290 Toll Rs 57
306 Hotel Paras
309 Hotel Patel Darbar
363 Toll Rs 65
379 Indian Oil petrol pump
427 Chiroti (time 6:00 hrs)
429 Toll Rs 59
458 Food Hub
477 Toll Rs 65
491 Golden tulip hotel and spa
495 Express Inn hotel
519 Hiranandani Estate
530 Thane Station ( time 7:15 hrs)

[ToothyPetrohead]

hi
am planning a trip to Ahmedabad from Mumbai with stop at Baroda and on return journey at Silvassa. Any suggestions on food joints and how the road conditions at the moment ? what about place to stay?

[nitinralli]

Can someone please guide me to route thread for Delhi to Mumbai? I know its off topic but this is the closest i got to my query.

@mods: Sorry for this question, please merge to appropriate thread

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

Can someone please guide me to route thread for Delhi to Mumbai? I know its off topic but this is the closest i got to my query.

@mods: Sorry for this question, please merge to appropriate thread

There are 2 options for you:

Option 1: Delhi - Gurgaon - Jaipur - Kishangarh - Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Himmatnagar - Ahmedabad Ring Road - NE1 - Vadodara - Surat - Mumbai

Option 2: Delhi - Gurgaon - Jaipur - Kishangarh - Chittorgarh - Neemuch - Ratlam - Dhule - Nashik - Thane - Mumbai

Both are good options however, option 2 is gaining more popularity over the recent past mainly because you get to avoid Mumbai-Udaipur tarffic and get to save some considerable time.

In terms of road conditions, they remained good but with the recent rains, it would be good to check out the latest conditions around MP-RJ-GJ Border regions.

[shabahmad]

Hi All,

I am Planning a Pune-Ajmer trip in october, How is the road conditions post monsoons on below routes

Option 1: Ajmer- Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Himmatnagar - Ahmedabad Ring Road - NE1 - Vadodara - Surat - Mumbai - Pune

Option 2: Ajmer - Chittorgarh - Neemuch - Ratlam - Dhule - Aurangabad - Pune.

Any other optimal route suggestions are welcome
Thanks
Shabbir

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by shabahmad

Hi All,

I am Planning a Pune-Ajmer trip in october, How is the road conditions post monsoons on below routes

Option 1: Ajmer- Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Himmatnagar - Ahmedabad Ring Road - NE1 - Vadodara - Surat - Mumbai - Pune

Option 2: Ajmer - Chittorgarh - Neemuch - Ratlam - Dhule - Aurangabad - Pune.

Any other optimal route suggestions are welcome
Thanks
Shabbir

Ajmer- Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Abu Road - Palanpur - Mehasana - Ahmedabad Ring Road - NE1 - Vadodara - Surat - Mumbai - Pune

Will be faster, will help you bypass Udaipur without much ado and pass through some of the scenic sections of Aravalis as well.

[shabahmad]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Ajmer- Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Abu Road - Palanpur - Mehasana - Ahmedabad Ring Road - NE1 - Vadodara - Surat - Mumbai - Pune

Will be faster, will help you bypass Udaipur without much ado and pass through some of the scenic sections of Aravalis as well.

Thanks Parag sir, but i think it will increase distance by 100 KM.
I need short & comfortable route, travelling with a 3 yr kid & Mother In law

I am even thinking to take Pune, Manmad, Indore, Chittorgarh, Ajmer route but i am unfamilier with border areas & MP roads.