[am1m]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

Is travelling to Goa on the last week of May a bad idea? Asking as I was discouraged by couple of resorts saying they plan to close as its monsoon season.

Originally Posted by suzuki san

A lot of the resorts close during the monsoons - but not all.
The same applies to beach shacks.
Most water sports and activities come to a stop in mid May but it all depends on the onset of the Monsoon.

Last 2 years what I've seen is the full onset of the monsoon is usually by mid-June. There might be a couple of heavy evening showers in May but nothing prolonged. A lot of beach shacks start winding up by end-April. But the more permanent resorts and hotels just off the the beach will remain open throughout and get tourists right through the monsoon. The popular beaches in North Goa will surely have some resorts and restaurants running. Establishments in Panaji should be running as normal. Overall, the less popular beaches down South might seem dead, if that's not your thing (but personally I like them best at this time- with only a few people!) Service might not be as good in a lot of places, since a lot of the rotating staff will have left to Manali and Ladakh to start work for their peak season there. Some places might not care too much about end-of season maintenance since anyway the monsoon is arriving and they will have to make repairs again before re-opening in mid-October.

One thing for sure though, will be as hot as hell in May!

[maheshsm12]

Originally Posted by maheshsm12

The Hubli-Dharwad road is still a two lane road, so please drive carefully. Not sure when this would be upgraded.

Some good news for the people of Hubballi Dharwad! The much-awaited Widening of the Hubballi Dharwad bypass has finally started showing some progress on the ground.

https://hubballidharwadinfra.com/wid...ypass-started/

[bsdbsd]

Drove to Varca on 8th April from Banashankari, Bangalore. All the bad patches from Tumkur minus 10 KMs have been now patched up. I encountered very few potholes (less than 5). Before Hubli, a new diversion has come up due to repairs being done on a flyover. Barring that, its a smooth ride till Hubli.

Hubli-Yellapur:

Approx 10km out of Hubli, 3-4 kms are in extremely bad shape due to ongoing concretization works. It took me by surprise. Its nasty but you can get through it in a while.

Yellapur-Karawar Highway:

Same old, Same old. The road is rutted. Not at all a great road but you can maintain decent speeds (about 80) if trucks allow.

Karwar Highway - Karwar - Varca:
4 lanes at most of the places till Karwar, post that extremely well maintained 2 lane (1.5?) roads till Varca. I dont know how Goa manages this level of quality. Hats off to them. But having a "highway" of this width is totally unacceptable. Its a topic for another day.

Most important: Watch our for cows starting from Yellapur. PLEASE. This can ruin ones day.

[paragsachania]

Bangalore - Varca - Bangalore Updates - April 2023

Drove to Goa over the last weekend taking 2 different routes for onward and return and here are some of the updates that should help those who intend to travel in coming days. Our destination was Zuri (Varca) and noticing reports of iffy sections between Hubli and Mollem via Anmod, decided to try out alternate route knowing that the conditions were marginally or even far better and that was totally true.

Onward: Bangalore Tumkur Davanagere Hubli Kalhatgi Yellapura Ankola Karwar Palolem Varca

Start time: 0415 from Yelahanka
End time: 1347 at Zuri Whitesands Resorts, Varca

Breaks taken:

Breakfast at Apoorva Resorts – 30 minutes
Refueling at IOCL Yellapura – 10 minutes

Route Conditions: Bangalore Hubli Yellapura Ankola Karwar Goa

• Bangalore to Hubli is in great shape, including the recently patched up Tumkur bypass
• Hubli to Yellapura is good with a small patch before Kalhatgi undergoing expansion work; was the same even in last October
• 4 laning of Kalhatgi town is complete end to end and is now breeze
• Yellapura to Ankola is patched up wherever the road conditions had deteriorated few months back; not a new layer of tarmac but definitely better than potholes and washed out roads before
• Ankola to KA-GA border is in great shape, barring very small diversions
• Goa bound traffic crossing Karwar to take the old NH
• Ankola bound traffic crossing Karwar to take new Karwar bypass (2 Tunnels)
• KA-GA border to Chinchinim (Turn off for Varca) is freshly patched up with very few sections that were WIP
• We got stuck in 2 jams during onward of which one lasted 20+ minutes due to traffic allowed to move alternately as highway was being tarred

Return: Varca Palolem Karwar Ankola Kumta Honnavara Siddapura Soraba Shiralakoppa Hirekerur Ranebennur Davanagere Tumkur Bangalore
Start time:1050 from Varca
End time:2215 at Yelahanka

Breaks taken:

Shopping at nursery near Cuncolim – 20 minutes
Café Coffee Day + Refuel at Ankola – 25 minutes
Mysore Café, Chitradurga for evening snacks – 40 minutes

Route Conditions: Honnavara Siddapura Soraba Hirekerur Ranebennur

• Till Ankola same route conditions apply as onward
• Ankola to Honnavara is excellent with very few diversions especially when crossing Kumta
• Honnavara to Mavingundi of NH 69 is in fantastic condition and spotless
• Mavingundi Siddapura Soraba Shiralakoppa Hirekerur Halageri is in great shape
• Halageri to Ranebennur is a tolled SH and in brilliant condition

Summary:

• Those apprehensive about current route conditions to various destinations to Goa should stick to Hubli Yellapura Ankola Road as the entire road remains in great/good shape with not a single instance where one has to slow down for a bad patch or to avoid potholes; this is what matters to most of us
• Yellapura Ankola is patchy but not a section where you will constantly have to brake to avoid potholes, you can easily pass them at 80-90 kmph
• Only bad patch is between Hubli and Kalhatgi but is very short and easily manageable, will last for less than 5-7 minutes
• Even the Karwar to Goa section of NH66 is freshly tarred and is a joy to drive
• With Zuari Bridge opened and the super long elevated section completed, driving from south Goa to North is cakewalk except little traffic you may face around Madgaon (we did Varca to Panaji in less than 50 minutes)
• Those with motion sickness issues and twisty roads, the Yellapura route is your safest bet as it is very easy going and fast too
• Honnavara Siddapura route is in great shape but the ghat sections are more twisty and endless and can disturb those with motion sickness issues
• Honnavara route to reach Ranebennur was a good alternate with very less or no traffic; however one needs to cross quite a few busy towns where you are slowed down
• Election checking at regular spots during onward and return journeys, more so after you are off Bangalore – Hubli section. There are multiple checkpoints between Bangalore and Hubli too. Be prepared for losing some time if you are travelling on a weekend
• Mobile speed guns on Goan roads, around 8km before Varca (Speed limit for cars is 70 kmph)
• Tradition of driving like maniacs is still followed between Tumkur and Nelamangala, more so when you are returning

Few images depicting various graphs from the journey. The onward log started to record only at Nelamangala and hence distance is shorter by 30 km.

Route taken for onward and return trips:





How we fared on breaks and average speeds:


A perspective of cruising speeds vs time during onward:


Cruising speeds during return:


How twisty are both the routes and how many ghats to cross? Well, you will get an idea when you compare this elevation graphs between onward and return journey:
Onward journey

Return journey


Breakfast stop at Apoorva resorts during onward:


Refueling at IOCL, Yellapura:


The underrated beauty - Karwar:


Encountered major jams during onward, thanks to road work. But this was incidental only:




Few random images from Goa, the land of beautiful beaches and Goan architecture :









When you get a choice to drive, at times you also need to succumb to nuptial pressure to stop at these places, especially when gardening is a hobby. For me, it was a waste of precious 30 minutes :


IOCL COCO at Ankola had run out of Xtra Green Diesel and hence I settled for regular Diesel:


We skipped lunch due to a heavy breakfast, picked some cold coffee and smoothies from CCD here at Ankola:


We were hungry by evening and decided to take a break at Mysore Cafe:

[itwasntme]

Totally avoid Goa during April 17-19!

https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Goa-gea...-Panjim/203854

[sparks4077]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Bangalore - Varca - Bangalore Updates - April 2023

Return: Varca Palolem Karwar Ankola Kumta Honnavara Siddapura Soraba Shiralakoppa Hirekerur Ranebennur Davanagere Tumkur Bangalore

Was over at Utorda beach last week and took the Hubli-Anmod-Utorda route onwards. Was somehow not really happy with the road post Hubli. Roads within Goa are really well laid, though you do have to keep a check on speeds when using the Anmod route. Saw at least 3 sets of policemen stopping vehicles. I kept it at 60-70 after crossing the border.

Took this route on the return and it took me a total of 12.5 hours with 3 stops. Roads were really good and a pleasure to drive on the twisties . The compass performed really well and I reached home just a little tired. As @paragschania mentioned, I took a stop at the Ankola Coffee day, where I got lunch packed from Kamat. We took a roadside stop just post the turn-off away from Jog falls for lunch and a final stop at Kamat in Sira.

[MorePower]

Drove to Cavelossim from JP Nagar on 19th April. Had taken the Anmod route last year while travelling to Goa and wasn't happy with the road conditions. After reading Parag's post, decided to take the Hubli - Yellapur - Ankola - Karwar - Cavelossim route.

Left JP Nagar at 5.20 am, reached Cavelossim Holiday Inn at 5.05 pm with 3 stops. Stopped for breakfast at Kalpatharu Veg. https://goo.gl/maps/Q54nZEFcPwnhZBwL7

Ample parking space, clean loos (at least they were at 7 am), good food and quick service, this is now our preferred breakfast stop, whenever we leave JP Nagar post 5 am.





The drive until Hubli was the usual cruise on smooth 6-lane highway. Diversion at Motebennur due to the never ending flyover work.

Was stopped thrice by officials on election duty for checking. Once just after Chalageri toll booth, at Bankapur toll booth and finally somewhere on the highway before Hubli. Some wanted me to open the suitcase while others just asked where I was headed, opened the boot, glanced at the luggage and asked me to carry on.

Just before reaching the Gabbur junction near Hubli, exited NH48 and joined the Hubli - Karwar Road by taking the Hubli Outer Ring Road Cloverleaf Interchange. 6 lane concrete highway which was virtually deserted when we got onto it. Lasted all of 6km before we hit a 1.5km stretch which was undergoing concretisation. Dusty & gravelly, this is the only stretch of the road in the entire journey where I had to slow down due to poor road conditions.

After this, it is beautiful tarmac all the way. Since I was driving on a Wednesday, the roads past Kalghatgi were virtually deserted. While approaching Ankola, the top layer of the tarmac was worn off in some places. Didn't have to slow down at all, were just minor bumps.

Reached Karwar in time for a late lunch.



Lunch was at Swetha Lunch Home, for their fish thali and yum sol kadi.



Roads in Goa as smooth as always, freshly laid tarmac and sparse traffic. Watchout for the crazyily driven GA cars, especially on the curves.

Took the same route back to Bangalore. Left Palolem at 9.15 am, back in JP Nagar by 8.15 pm. Usual checking for alcohol at the GA - KA border, this time by the election officials. A minor jam at the check post forced them to let go of most cars without checking.

Driving back on Sunday meant heavy truck traffic from Ankola all the way until Kalghatgi. Stopped again for election checking before Yellapur and then after Hubli.

Crossed Tumkur around 6 pm and was greeted by the now familiar stream of rashly driven Bangalore cars on this miserable stretch of highway.

Good drive overall. Thank you Parag for your route recommendations.

[a_chelat]

I was in Goa for 10 days last week.

I did have an eye on this thread and was going to avoid the Hubli-Anmod-Mollem route. But had a look at Google Maps when we stopped for breakfast at Davanagere and this was still the fastest option; we could (if Google was correct) save more than an hour. Yes, some sections are bad but this is the quickest route if your destination is North Goa. Started from Domlur at 5:00 AM and reached Assagao at 3:47 PM - this is including hour-long breaks for breakfast and for lunch. We also had one fuel stop near Ramnagar.

Driving back, we were starting from Palolem so took the Karwar-Ankola-Yellapura-Bankapura route. I have taken this route on my earlier rides to Goa but it has been a few years since. Wasn't really sure of the road conditions but it was alright. Started from Palolem at 9:34 AM and reached Nelamangala by 5 PM. We stopped only for lunch and for fuel. Word of caution - almost the entire section between Yellapura and Bankapura is single lane and overtaking vehicles in front is a task which will slow you down. I was very lucky in this regard and had no issues as the traffic was sparse. There are also a few sections here where road work is going on; I think this route would be a good option in another two months or so.

Overall, if you are going to North Goa and prefer reaching your destination quicker and do not mind some bad stretches on the way, the Anmod-Mollem route is your best bet. If you prefer smooth tarmac all the way, explore other options.

I was okay with the bad stretches because hey, why buy an SUV if it cannot handle bad roads?

[SJ410]

Road Update:

I travel to Goa often by road and found the Anmod Ramnagara Hubli road the fastest. It is a bit risky as not all drivers are careful nor have proper judgement. At curves you will find morons speeding and overtaking. If you can take them in your stride then this is the road for you. Beyond Ramnagara the tarmac is smooth and road narrow. Some parts of Anmod are bad but manageable.

The Karwar route has few twists but is longer. Road condition is good but narrow roads on entry into Goa sometimes cause minor traffic jams. This road makes sense if you are camping in the south. Has better eateries.

By far the best road is Chorla ghat. You can enter North or South Goa from the route. Road is in pretty good condition barring very small patches.

Disclaimer: I drive a Gypsy on these roads.

[bhushan08]

Friends,

I'm planning a drive from Bangalore to goa (Cansaulim, Arossim beach) next week. Confused between the two recommended routes: Hubli-Anmod-Mollem or the Hubli - yellapur - karwar route. Google maps is recommending the anmod route. I'm driving a decent clearance car so not that perturbed about bad routes for a short period.

As of now, I am thinking about taking the karwar route going and the anmod route coming back (while coming back I need to reach early enough and catch a morning flight next day).

Any suggestions on this?

Also, any recommendation on IOCL coco on the route especially the ones with XP95?

[chorispao]

Just did the Panjim - Bangalore drive via Anmod on May 21, 2023. Pursuant to my update in May 2022, note the below. Noting much has changed.

Originally Posted by chorispao

Panjim – Mollem Checkpost (57km section)
# Nothing major except for cattle.

Mollem checkpost – Anmod (20km section)
# Work in progress for embankments, shoulders & drainage.

Anmod – Gharli (23km section)
# A new ‘forest fee’ of INR 20 to be paid post the Excise Check post. Work in progress by the new contractor but at a snail's pace. Seems like this section will be real bad once the monsoons set in especially at the ‘in progress’ flyover as most of the temporary tarmac does not exist.

Gharli – Dharwad Toll Gate (58km section)
# New speed breakers installed apart from the existing ones all the way from Gharli to Alnavar. Work in progress at the Dharwad side flyover but at snail’s progress. No work as yet on the other two rail crossings.

Dharwad Toll Gate – Gabbur Toll Gate (27km section)
# Work in progress for highway upgradation. Hopefully to be complete by mid 2024.

Gabbur – Tumkur start (335km section)
# Flyovers remain incomplete at Motebennur & Chattra, with a new diversion at Chikkanahalli (before Karjeevanhalli toll plaza) for flyover construction work.

Tumkur bye pass (12km section)
# Tarmac portion upgraded. Upgradation (possible flyover) at Kythasandra Cross in progress.

Kyathsandra/Tumkur/ Chokkenahalli Toll Gate – Neelamangala Toll Gate (35km section)
# Work in progress for highway upgradation! Hopefully will complete in 2024

Neelamangala Toll Gate onwards
# No update here. It’s just getting worse!

[SJ410]

Originally Posted by bhushan08

I'm planning a drive from Bangalore to goa (Cansaulim, Arossim beach) next week. Confused between the two recommended routes: Hubli-Anmod-Mollem or the Hubli - yellapur - karwar route. Google maps is recommending the anmod route. I'm driving a decent clearance car so not that perturbed about bad routes for a short period.

Hi Bhushan,

Anmod is a little faster and the road is manageable and not too bad. Few patches here and there are bad. Once you cross Jolly Hotel the road is concrete all the way to Mollem. If there is heavy rain expected, avoid the Anmod route and take the Karwar route.

[sarkankur]

I have been planning to have a road trip to goa for a long time.

I am planning to go for a road trip in June (24th to 28th) and i would like to get some queries answered.

1. Is june a good time to visit goa? i mean will it be too hot since its the summer season and goa is along the coast line?
2. what would be your suggested timings to leave from Bangalore and Goa if i want to get the best views and the least traffic.
3. I would love to take the scenic route so if you could point me to that as well.
4. I think we would need to use the rental scooter and bike services in Goa like we did in Feb 2020 or is there a better option?

It would be 4 people in an altroz. so the distance should not be a probelm.

thanks in advance for your assistance on this

[Pequod]

Originally Posted by sarkankur

I have been planning to have a road trip to goa for a long time.

I am planning to go for a road trip in June (24th to 28th) and i would like to get some queries answered.
[list=1][*] Is june a good time to visit goa? i mean will it be too hot since its the summer season and goa is along the coast line

In the usual course of things, it should be raining cats and dogs in Goa during June 24-28! At least if the south west monsoon sets in normally this year. Goa in the rains is beautiful, but you might end up having to spend your vacation indoors.

[sarkankur]

Originally Posted by Pequod

In the usual course of things, it should be raining cats and dogs in Goa during June 24-28! At least if the south west monsoon sets in normally this year. Goa in the rains is beautiful, but you might end up having to spend your vacation indoors.

That is the plan

We just want to go there and relax a little.

Last time we went to South Goa, we loved it. It was in February of 2020, though.