Bangalore To Goa Road Trip: Best Time, Routes, Stopovers

Are you planning a road trip this summer? A road trip from Bangalore to Goa is one for your bucket list even with the long distance and stressful driving hours. The Bangalore to Goa road trip is a scenic ride with amazing places to stop at and eat sumptuous meals.

Best Time To Visit

Goa is known for its calm and balmy weather between November and March. These are the best months to visit Goa and enjoy the gorgeous sea breeze and clear blue skies. Winter in Goa is the peak tourist season with visitors from all over the globe. Beach parties, night markets, pop up restaurants are the things to look out for during this time. If you intend to visit and spend Christmas or New Year’s, make sure you book in advance.

For those who love to be on quieter end, monsoon would be an ideal time to plan a visit. Anytime between June and September is great because the rains bring out the lush greens of the fields across the state.

Route

There are two different route options to reach Goa from Bangalore all via NH48. The whole trip is a thrilling road journey where the highways are well maintained and fun to drive on.

• Route 1 is via NH48 which the Karwar Route. It is a scenic drive with lots of beautiful places which are worthy of a pit stop. The scenery is stunning and genuinely worthy of every stop you make and collect memories along the way on this trip.

The route takes you from Bengaluru – Nelamangala – Tumkur – Chitradurga – Sirsi – Ankola – Karwar – Panjim and it is 556 kilometres by car. The journey will take approximately 11 hours to reach your destination.

• Route 2 is also via NH48, -through the Belgaum Route. This too is a scenic drive, and your pit stops are filled with attractive, picturesque and undulating landscape.

The route takes you from Bengaluru – Nelamangala – Tumkur – Chitradurga – Hubli – Dharwad – Ramnagar – Anmod – Panjim; it takes approximately 12 hours to reach Panjim. Here you are covering a distance of 643 kilometres.

What To Eat And Stopovers

There are exciting places to eat at along with making exhilarating stopovers which beckon you to take in mother natures in its true essence. Once you cross Yellapur, you are driving through lush green forests leading to NH66. Here you get to experience the two magnificent waterfalls the Vibhuuti and the Magod. This is also known as an express road compared to other routes. The drive from Dharwad to Goa is strikingly beautiful.

Driving all the way through Mahadayi Wild Life sanctuary, you will see several waterfalls during the monsoons. Magnificent valley views and the exceptional roads make this an enjoyable drive. Stop over at locations to enjoy the beautiful valley views. Chill at any of these places and eat the delicious southern eateries and dhabas serving food that’s delightful.

Along the way, you can make breakfast and lunch stops at these places:

• Sri Guru Kottureshwara Benne Dose Hotel – has acquired legendary status among those who drive on the highway. The restaurant is famous for its rich variety of dosas. It is approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes outside Bangalore, and is one of the best places to fill yourself with much needed food for the soul.
• Kamat Upachar, Dobaspet is about 63 kilometres outside Bangalore and is known for the local cuisines served piping hot for hungry travellers. The eatery is close to the Reliance Petrol/Diesel Pump as well. So refuelling yourself and your vehicle is ideal. The journey will take approximate 1 hour 36 minutes by road via NH75.
• Café Coffee Day, Arasikere via NH75 is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes from Bangalore and serves hot coffee when it's most needed on a road trip. The view is scenic and fresh air will energise you for the next few hours on the road.
• Updhaya Veg, which is on the way to Chitradurga after the windmills offer a great drive for nature lovers. It is an excellent place for a stopover because it serves amazingly tasty and delightful food. Also, an ideal spot for couples to check out the scenery and capture memories.
• Sai Palace is yet another place to stopover for hearty meals for the family, especially if it is for brunch. The eatery is approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes outside of Bangalore.
  
• Mollem Karibu Garden Restaurant: It a great restaurant to stop for lunch, best known for its service and food. The ambience is peaceful and refreshing. A homely place on the way to Dudhsagar falls.
• Roshan Restaurant: It has a pleasant environment with homely staff with good food. They have great veg dishes and some lovely fish, served with a smile. Well worth the ten-minute walk if you're staying at the nearby Spa Resort.
• Bhalekar Hotel: If its seafood you love and relish Malwani cuisine, take a lunch break in Sawantwadi. Try their mutton or Malvani fish thali. If you are brave to adventure out and try some authentic Malvani or Konkani food, then this is the place to go. Bhalekar's is a shack so do not expect top class ambience, only great food.
• Amruth Hotel: This is a seafood speciality restaurant best suited for lunch in Karwar. Try the crab ghee roast, prawns, oysters. Fish thali is a must try along with mussel sukka, fish masala fry and anjal tawa fry.
• Swetha Lunch Home: This is an authentic seafood restaurant which specializes in Konkani cuisine. It is an unpretentious little place with the most delectable food! Try their crabs, prawns and other sea fish preparations which are perhaps the best that you will have on your road trip between Bangalore and Goa.

If you are on the Belgaum route you can stop for an early lunch in Belgaum which offers good options. Else, there are many suitable options like the Delta Eco Huts on the highway before turning to Surla falls.

Reaching There And Places To Visit

Deserving detours and pit stops -when you drive via Hubli and Karwar, starts with Chitradurga, which is a 100 kilometres on the NH48 that is known for its huge boulders and mesmerising valleys.

Here are some of the places that you should visit en-route through NH48:

• Onake Obbava: NH48 is well-known for its stone fort with seven round walls, huge grindstones and oil cauldrons amongst other things. The renowned marvel of Onake Obbava, where a soldier’s wife, all alone subjugated Mysore’s Hyder Ali’s soldiers, who furtively tried to get into the fort to attack them is something that you should check out.
• Ranebennur: Just a few kilometres from the town of Ranebennur, you come across the famous Ranebennur Blackbuck Deer Sanctuary. It was declared as a sanctuary to protect the blackbucks, and the endangered species - the Great Indian Bustard. It also has a healthy wolf population, a rare sight in India – perfect for nature lovers.
• Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve: This opens between 06:00 – 18:00 hrs and is located off the NH63, and has Kali Adventure Camp, which is known for its white water rafting.
• Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary: If you have a passion for the wildlife, you will undoubtedly love the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary that opens between 07:00 – 17:30 hrs, a sight to see with gorgeous sky high tall trees. If you are a treetop watchtower, get above the watering holes and observe the flying squirrels, the slender loris and a diverse sanctuary of beautiful animals here.
• Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary & Mollem National Park: If you want to take a shorter route drive via Ponda, the gateway to Goa’s wildlife through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park which is open between 08:00 – 17:00 hrs. It is a protected quarter because of the endemic species of flora and fauna it houses. It also has quite a lot of attractions and requires an entry permit. The Dudhsagar waterfalls, that’s renowned for trekking makes a great place to visit, and it is a part of the park. A must visit is the Butterfly Conservatory which is open between 09:00 – 16:30 hrs. The sanctuary has specific guided tours on Sundays and serves meals and a trek.

If you want to take a less travelled route try the one via Shimoga, Honnavar and Karwar. There is a lot on offer, and it will be a welcome break in the journey around Shimoga.

• Baba Budangiri range: Visit the Baba Budangiri range in the western ghats. It is a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Muslims with shrines of Sufi Saint Baba Budan, on the hill. It is a famous trail from here to Mulayangiri peak, it is also the highest in Karnataka. The route is an excellent trekking experience for adventurous people. The trek is spotted with many caves. It is apparently frequented by saints, and it’s a challenge for courageous people.
• Kemmangundi: Kemmangundi is close by a small hill station which has mesmerising ornamental gardens with a view of the hill and valley. It also has a government horticulture department project that’s a nursery.
• Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary: A must visit is the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary which opens between 06:00 – 10:00 hrs and 15:00 – 18:00 hrs, its en-route Shimoga. It has a diversity of ecotypes like the shola forests and mountain grasslands. It is also a part of Project Tiger and has about a small population of 33 magnificent tigers. Along with it are the Tunga and Bhadra rivers that pass through the sanctuary.

Places To Visit After Reaching Goa:

• Fort Aguada: This is well-preserved Portuguese fort located on the Sinquerim Beach in North Goa.
• Chapora Fort: Popular since the iconic scene from the film ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ was shot here, it stands tall at the mouth of the Chapora river like an old sentry.
• Basilica of Bom Jesus: All the churches in Goa are legacy of the Portuguese rule over the state. The most famous of them all is the Basilica of Bom Jesus which has the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is preserved here. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Pandava or Arvalem Caves: This 6th cave complex is located 9kms to the south of Bicholim town in North.
• Arvalem waterfalls: Located close to the Pandava caves, this is 50 mts high waterfall with an awesome view.
• Dudhsagar Falls: This is a 4tiered waterfall and also the 4^th tallest in the country, 46kms from Madgaon.
• Ashwem Arossim Beach: For those looking for serenity in the midst of mayhem, these white sandy beaches are quiet, clean, less crowded and peaceful.
• Fontainhas: This is the old Latin quarter of Goa with narrow winding streets and flanked by brightly painted houses, located at the foothills, with the Altinho hills on the west and the Ourem creek on the East.
• Calangaute Beach: The largest beach of Goa stretching from Candolim to Baga. Calangaute, due to its massive size its popular among tourists.
• Arambol Beach: If you are looking for a pure serenity of nature, then Arambol beach is the right place you must visit whilst in Goa. Considered to one of the most spectacular beach in North Goa.

Points To Note While Planning A Trip (Car/Bike)

Its recommended that you leave early in the morning say 6 AM. It will be a smooth journey, and you will comfortably reach your destination Goa by 5 PM. Map out which route you will be taking with estimated pitstops along the way. Remember, if you are leaving at 6 AM or earlier and driving on route 1 is the ideal choice and grab a healthy and great breakfast at Upadhya restaurant on the Chitradurga bypass.

However, if you love the Davanagere Benne Dosa and you are a fan, then it's recommended driving on route 1 and grabbing a meal at Kottureshwara in Davanagere. Remember, to keep an extra one hour for food as you wait for a crisp dosa, and it takes a while for the service as dosas are meant to be eaten hot and steamy.

Diesel /Petrol Pumps

This is a frequently travelled route, so there is nothing to be worried about. If the tanks need to be refilled, you are certain to find several petrol/diesel fuel station en route.

Overnight Halts If Any

Dotted with umpteen places to stay overnight, you can choose your comfort zone and check into any of these hotels along the way: -

• Hotel Naveen: This is an excellent choice to stay for a night during the long drive to Goa, from Bangalore. The rooms are clean with all the suitable amenities. The location is excellent with a lakeside view. It is highly recommended for one night stopovers in Hubli.
• The President Hotel, Hubli: It has a restaurant called The Jungle. The restaurant has a nice ambience with the lake on one side along with the hustle and bustle of the city can be seen while you enjoy your sumptuous food. The location is exceptional, and the hotel room is clean and well decorated. The room service is quick. They also have the Gufa restaurant which is a themed restaurant-offering excellent service and delicious local food.
• Clarks Inn Airport Hotel: If you are looking for a better-serviced hotel and want your star accommodation facilities, check into the Clarks Inn Airport Hotel, located on the Gokul Road, Hubli-Dharwad, the hotel is 3 km from Topallgatti Lake, 4.7 km from Nrupatunga Betta. It has an In-house multi-cuisine restaurant. This is a 4-star hotel, situated in close vicinity to the IT Park and many tourist attractions, for example, Indira Gandhi Glass House and Moorusavir Math.

Distance Altitude Change Graph

The Bangalore to Goa drive is a reasonably long drive so distance and altitude may have a difference in climate zones. Plus the journey takes you through winding forest roads. So, you should be prepared for the heat and humidity and monsoons.

Stay And Eat At Other Eating Places

There are several good places where you can eat and stay enroute to your destination. Check out seafood speciality restaurants along the way.

Mobile Connectivity

You will not face any problems with mobile connectivity except while you are in the national parks and sanctuaries.

ATMs

All major banks have ATMs available on the routes to Goa from Bangalore in the towns and cities you touch en route. But, have cash on you in order to try out local mouthwatering delights on the road.

Mechanics

Since it is a frequently travelled route, both the Bangalore to Goa highways have mechanics who are available if you encounter the slightest problems with the vehicle. Although a seasoned traveller would tell you to carry your own car travel kit along with a spare tyre.

Medical Facilities

Hospitals are a few in such places. There is one Government Hospital along the way on the Dharwad route, which will, of course, have to be a detour. Highway emergency services are available as well.

Electricity

Electricity is not an issue here, but as a traveller, it is recommended you are equipped with basic travel kits such as torches and flashlights. These are essential items which must be a part of your journey.

Tool Kit

The most essential things in a travel kit are screwdrivers, a swiss knife, a crescent wrench, a first aid kit, pliers – two sets, duct tapes, scissors, air pressure gauge for tyres (these are small and handy). The spare tyre should be ready to use in case of a puncture. Of course, mechanics along the highway are known to have all the equipment needed for a repair. But, its recommended you carry these. It will suffice for a journey of 10-12 hours.