[mygodbole]

Originally Posted by pudarsanketh

I have a drive planned from Pune (Hadapsar) to Mangalore. Google map is suggesting via Solapur -> Hubli -> Ankola -> Mangalore with a total driving time of 17 Hours. I was thinking Pune -> Satara -> Anuskura -> Kudal -> Madgaon -> Karwar -> Ankola -> Mangalore with 16 hours and around 90 KM lesser.

If open to out of the box suggestions, consider Hadapsar > Chandni Chowk > Mulshi > Mangaon > NH 66 > Mangalore. A dawn start would put you in North Goa around sunset.

Once you cross over into Karnataka, the roads and traffic are certainly manageable, but only if you are comfortable driving after dark.

This route within Maharashtra is much-maligned but traffic has improved of late and there is negligible truck traffic. You can cross this stretch in broad daylight.

Sticking to NH66 within MH is the key since I observe GMaps diverting the route at random.

[Rolwynj]

Originally Posted by pudarsanketh

I have a drive planned from Pune (Hadapsar) to Mangalore. Google map is suggesting via Solapur -> Hubli -> Ankola -> Mangalore with a total driving time of 17 Hours. I was thinking Pune -> Satara -> Anuskura -> Kudal -> Madgaon -> Karwar -> Ankola -> Mangalore with 16 hours and around 90 KM lesser.

Regular route via Kolhapur, gmaps is not recommending at all. Any suggestions as I plan to cover on same day. Recent Pune Bangalore drive was comfortable and less than 14 hours with breaks via Solapur.

You are right on the second option. Literally the best option and I use this all the time to go Mumbai from Udupi. Very less toll, roads are very good and less fuel consumption too.

[W@SIM]

Originally Posted by pudarsanketh

I have a drive planned from Pune (Hadapsar) to Mangalore. Google map is suggesting via Solapur -> Hubli -> Ankola -> Mangalore with a total driving time of 17 Hours. I was thinking Pune -> Satara -> Anuskura -> Kudal -> Madgaon -> Karwar -> Ankola -> Mangalore with 16 hours and around 90 KM lesser.

Regular route via Kolhapur, gmaps is not recommending at all. Any suggestions as I plan to cover on same day. Recent Pune Bangalore drive was comfortable and less than 14 hours with breaks via Solapur.

Will recommend the good old Pune-Satara-Belgaum-Hubli route. On multiple occasions in past Year I have reached Belgaum in 5 hrs for a 3:30am start.

Google maps will not show the route as it takes road closures as blocks even though an alternate service route is available.

[AnandAndy]

Hello BHPians,

I’m planning for a Maharashtra trip during the weekend. The question is related to the Karnataka Bandh called in to protest the violence by pro-Marathi Organisations. I’ve Maharashtra Car and following would be approximate itinerary.

Start from Marathalli at 4AM on Saturday(22 March 2025) on Pune Bangalore Highway and then via Bijapur. Stay at Bijapur. Next day start towards Solapur and then Ahmednagar and then Shrirampur near Shirdi.

Question is will the Karnataka Bandh affect my travels? Is it safe to travel?

[determinus]

In the past 3 months, have taken the Bangalore-Pune-Bangalore a few times, twice in December through NH48 (Kolhapur-Hubli-Chitradurga) and back. On 20th, last Thursday attempted via NH50 (Solapur-Bijapur-Hospete-Chitradurga), as the last drive up from Bangalore was a real pain. Till Hubli it was great, but then it became a very long tiring one. It was in a Jeep Compass.

This week's drive was in 525d, and wanted a better paved road given its low GC. Looked up this thread for latest updates. Google maps was not giving NH48 even as an option. Decided to try NH50. We started around 4:15AM. Google said the ETA as 19:40 (imagine on Bangalore city roads at that time). We decided to avoid stops to save time. Bijapur took about 5 hours, ETA was now 6:30. A short bio-break later, we stopped at Chitradurga for lunch around 1:30, ETA said 5:40, but we could cut it down till Neelamangala. Turned to Hebbal at Peenya around 4:15.

Overall it was 40km more than usual route, but we covered it in ~12 hours. Roads had just 2-3 deviations (before Solapur). NH48 was very good most of the time. The biggest problem was lack of food places. There was nothing on the way till Chitradurga. We were trying the route the first time, hence didnt want to take any detour to explore. But overall, this is the route to take if you need a peaceful drive.

[JMaruru]

Originally Posted by determinus

Roads had just 2-3 deviations (before Solapur). NH48 was very good most of the time.

So when you say this, was the routing like Pune > Satara > Shirwal > Pandharpur > Zalki > Bijapur > Chitradurga > B'lore?

[autoweirdo]

Travelled over the weekend from Pune to Kolhapur. Was pleasantly surprised on road condition as travelling after nearly 1.5yrs on this route.
Post Satara I feel nearly 60-70% lane expansion is complete and rest work needs atleast another 12-15 months for completion. I was able to complete the distance in 4.5hrs (including few minor jams around diversion and slow traffic in Karad) which I feel is really good time. In my next Bengaluru trip (possibly in May end) will definitely try this route once again and hope some more work is complete.
Also Pune to Satara is not in good condition compared to Satara to Pune side, 2-3 diversions present on this section but easily manageable. Nice to see multiple booths opened at Khed Shivapur as well as Taswande toll booths, hence didnt faced any delay at these tolls. Also if anyone planning Kolhapur do consider Kanheri Math in their itinerary (20kms from kolhapur city towards Belgavi side), very beautiful open museum and beautiful garden.

[Rolwynj]

Good old NH48 is still the best route to reach faster to Mumbai from Bangalore. Anytime it saves an hour, few kms and plenty of clean toilet options plus restaurants. Solapur route only useful if your destination is nearby eastern side of Pune.

[Rambo65]

Hello,

I am planning to drive from Pune (western side) to Sringeri Temple and back next week end. Google Map shows route via NH 48 and taking a diversion at Ranebennur towards Honnali -Ayanur on NH 52 and then on to Bharatipura, Mulabagilu etc. on 148 (SH?) reaching Sringeri.

As this is my first drive on this route (and also deep in to Karnataka), I have following questions:

1. Is this the best route? Particularly the from Ranebennur? (GM suggests another route (abt 45 minutes longer) where you go off the NH 48 at Gotagodi and reach Bharatipura eventually to join the other route).

2. Is it ok to drive after sunset on this route - then one after Ranebennur till Sringeri (I guess it would be a bot of mountanous and Forest terrain?).

Since most part of this route involves NH 48, am posting here; if you wish to suggest a different thread, please direct me. Thanks in advance for any inputs.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by Rambo65

I am planning to drive from Pune (western side) to Sringeri Temple and back next week end. Google Map shows route via NH 48 and taking a diversion at Ranebennur towards Honnali -Ayanur on NH 52 and then on to Bharatipura, Mulabagilu etc. on 148 (SH?) reaching Sringeri.
....

I think it's going to be a long drive - stating before dawn and well into late night. The google suggestion is a descent one. This route involves NH48 as well as some state roads and it's a combination of some fast stretches, some constructions zones as well as some roads without divider in the western ghats region.

RE: your questions:
1. Is this the best route? Particularly the from Ranebennur? (GM suggests another route (abt 45 minutes longer) where you go off the NH 48 at Gotagodi and reach Bharatipura eventually to join the other route).
>>> You will have to budget at least an hour more regardless of which section/ exit you take out of NH48. Your last leg of the drive is going to be through some winding roads/ ghats as well as country/ state roads. The 45 mins saving shown on the GMaps will disappear just like that if you are caught into some traffic on the route - Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Dharwad - Hubli section an then evening towards Malenadu region. There is no escaping one or the other blocks anyway. So don't count in 45 mins saving. I could suggest taking NH66 and chase coastal roads but nothing much you will gain except to state that you touched Goa or Karwar

2. Is it ok to drive after sunset on this route - then one after Ranebennur till Sringeri (I guess it would be a bot of mountanous and Forest terrain?).
>>> Yes - absolutely safe. No rains right now, roads are safe too. KA in particular are great from safety perspective with small patches of broken roads on some sections. The food and comfort stops will need to be considered carefully if you are with family.

[Rambo65]

Thanks @abirnale for the quick response. Leads to some corollary questions

1. Your statement: "I think it's going to be a long drive - stating before dawn and well into late night."....

GM shows 14 hrs drive (and usually I gain about an hour when GM shows such) so, I am a bit lost with your above statement

2. Your statement: "You will have to budget at least an hour more regardless of which section/ exit you take out of NH48".

I guess you are referring to the innumerable diversions one needs to take on NH 48. I saw some posts that despite the diversions it is still manageable.

In any case, I plan to start early (latest by 5 am) and with my daughter to chip in to share the driving, so pretty much planning non-stop. Will keep in mind the pit stop for Breakfast and lunch - hopefully should reach Sringeri for Dinner!

Thanks a ton for your support!

[evilshantanu]

Originally Posted by determinus

In the past 3 months, have taken the Bangalore-Pune-Bangalore a few times, twice in December through NH48 (Kolhapur-Hubli-Chitradurga) and back. On 20th, last Thursday attempted via NH50 (Solapur-Bijapur-Hospete-Chitradurga), as the last drive up from Bangalore was a real pain. Till Hubli it was great, but then it became a very long tiring one. It was in a Jeep Compass.

This week's drive was in 525d, and wanted a better paved road given its low GC. Looked up this thread for latest updates. Google maps was not giving NH48 even as an option. Decided to try NH50. We started around 4:15AM. Google said the ETA as 19:40 (imagine on Bangalore city roads at that time). We decided to avoid stops to save time. Bijapur took about 5 hours, ETA was now 6:30. A short bio-break later, we stopped at Chitradurga for lunch around 1:30, ETA said 5:40, but we could cut it down till Neelamangala. Turned to Hebbal at Peenya around 4:15.

Overall it was 40km more than usual route, but we covered it in ~12 hours. Roads had just 2-3 deviations (before Solapur). NH48 was very good most of the time. The biggest problem was lack of food places. There was nothing on the way till Chitradurga. We were trying the route the first time, hence didnt want to take any detour to explore. But overall, this is the route to take if you need a peaceful drive.

I am a very frequent road traveller to Pune from Bangalore, will be driving in a vento. Was very very frustrated with the Normal route with the diversions, it started taking us 15 hours.

Is this route safe enough to travel with family?

[evilshantanu]

Originally Posted by autoweirdo

Travelled over the weekend from Pune to Kolhapur. Was pleasantly surprised on road condition as travelling after nearly 1.5yrs on this route.
Post Satara I feel nearly 60-70% lane expansion is complete and rest work needs atleast another 12-15 months for completion. I was able to complete the distance in 4.5hrs (including few minor jams around diversion and slow traffic in Karad) which I feel is really good time. In my next Bengaluru trip (possibly in May end) will definitely try this route once again and hope some more work is complete.
Also Pune to Satara is not in good condition compared to Satara to Pune side, 2-3 diversions present on this section but easily manageable. Nice to see multiple booths opened at Khed Shivapur as well as Taswande toll booths, hence didnt faced any delay at these tolls. Also if anyone planning Kolhapur do consider Kanheri Math in their itinerary (20kms from kolhapur city towards Belgavi side), very beautiful open museum and beautiful garden.

So you recommend we just take the regular route? Last we drove on this route was June 2024, and it was a nightmare

[autoweirdo]

Originally Posted by evilshantanu

So you recommend we just take the regular route? Last we drove on this route was June 2024, and it was a nightmare

I am not sure of Kolhapur to Belagavi stretch, if you can make early start Pune-Belagavi stretch makes sense as hardly there will be difference in overall time but will have better rest and eatery options compared to Solapur route. Additionally Solapur route now has more heavy vehicles traffic now and its no longer pleasureful drive as it used to be earlier. Post Solapur I really struggle for nice break options so will recommend old route only. Hope if other members who have travelled Kolhapur to Belagavi can add latest inputs.

[evilshantanu]

Originally Posted by autoweirdo

I am not sure of Kolhapur to Belagavi stretch, if you can make early start Pune-Belagavi stretch makes sense as hardly there will be difference in overall time but will have better rest and eatery options compared to Solapur route. Additionally Solapur route now has more heavy vehicles traffic now and its no longer pleasureful drive as it used to be earlier. Post Solapur I really struggle for nice break options so will recommend old route only. Hope if other members who have travelled Kolhapur to Belagavi can add latest inputs.

Thanks, this helps.
One last question - Is the Solapur stretch all four laned?