Mumbai To Goa By Road - The Ultimate Indian Road Trip!

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Almost every Mumbaikar who loves to drive/ride dreams of going on an awesome and thrilling road trip to the stunning state of Goa! Well, TripHobo has worked on a Mumbai to Goa road trip guide just for you. Here’s the good, the bad and the fabulous of the much anticipated road trip.

Mumbai to Goa road trip by car

Best time for Mumbai to Goa road trip:

If you want to avoid peak tourist season, don't plan a trip to Goa in the months of December to mid February. There are lots of things to do in Goa all year round, but tourist crowds are lesser during mid February onwards to June and September to November. Rains bring with them a certain charm and wilderness and if you want to beat the rush, the monsoon months will also be perfect. However, rains also bring with them slippery roads and mucky bylanes.

Read on to know which is the best route if you are going by car:

Route 1 - Mumbai to Goa via NH-4

Distance: 588 kilometres

Approximate time taken (non-stop): 10 hours

NH-4, bombay to goa route distance and time takenPC: Wikipedia/ Balaji Photography

About this route:

Considered to be a safe route, especially when travelling with family and kids, the NH4 highway is a 4 lane one with proper road dividers. Having fewer ghats, the road does however have a lot of toll booths. Be prepared to spend more.

What to see on the way:

  • Lonavala:

How can you pass by Lonavala without stopping to stock up on loads of its famous chikki?! If you have some time to spare, do check out a stunning sunrise at the Tiger’s point. Completely worth the uphill ride.

  • Pune:

If you leave Mumbai early in the morning, the city of Pune would be a good place to halt for a scrumptious breakfast. If you are interested in some local sightseeing, we recommend you visit Shaniwar Wada, Pataleshwar Cave Temple and the magnificent Sinhagad Fort.

  • Kolhapur:

A treat for non vegetarians, a stopover at Kolhapur for lunch would be ideal. Famous for its tambda rassa - pandhara rassa, points of interest within Kolhapur include Mahalakshmi Temple, Rankala Lake and the historical Panhala Fort.

  • Belgaum:

Crossing state borders, Belgaum is a charming city in Karnataka. You may consider this city for a night cap. If you wish to explore this city, we recommend you visit the famous Belgaum fort and, if you are a nature lover, the nearby located beautiful Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary.

Route 2 - Mumbai to Goa via NH-17 (now NH 66)

Distance: 590 kilometres

Approximate time taken (non-stop):12 hours

NH 66, best route for Mumbai to Goa by CarPC: silentriverfilmandliterarysociety.org

About this route:

While you will definitely be saving money due to less number of toll booths, this route is full of winding roads and deadly curves. One for the thrill lovers, this route is more scenic and offers stunning views of the mountains and coastal areas.

What to see on the way:

  • Panvel:

Leaving back the hustle bustle of Mumbai, you can halt for breakfast at Panvel. If you are a bird watching enthusiast, you have to visit the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. And if you love trekking, the grand Karnala fort awaits you.

  • Chiplun:

Located around 220 kilometres from Panvel, you can stop in the quaint town of Chiplun for some appetizing lunch. If you want to explore more of this town located on the banks of the River Vashishti, we recommend Parshuram Temple, Walavalkar Shivaji Museum, Sawatsada Waterfalls and the ruins of fort Gowalkot.

  • Sawantwadi:

Famous for its wooden toys, Sawantwadi would be your last stop in the state of Maharashtra before you cross the state border and enter your dream destination of Goa. The town of Sawantwadi is also known for its delicate lacquer ware. If shopping is on your mind, this is the place to halt!

To summarize, Route 1 is shorter and the roads are better and safer. Route 2 is comparatively more scenic but a bit longer than Route 1. It is also the one for people who are adventurous.

All set to go on an epic road trip from Mumbai to Goa?

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