5 Spectacular Routes for Exciting Bangalore to Goa Road trip!

Last Updated on 10 September 2023 by Poorna & Brinda

Bangalore to Goa road trip is a spectacular experience. It can be done in multiple routes each having its own interesting places to see on the way! Driving from Bangalore to Goa is an annual pilgrimage for us. Sometimes we have driven to Goa at the drop of the hat!

The sights on each of these routes make the road trip to Goa from Bangalore memorable. Bangalore to Goa gives many opportunities to experience the beauty of the western ghats in different hues.

All five routes given here are spectacular drives. Here, the journey becomes more thrilling than the destination! Bangalore to Goa distance in all the routes is almost the same. There may be a difference of 40 KMs between the routes. These routes are convenient whether you are driving to North Goa or South Goa destinations.

Of the five routes listed here, you will be driving to Hubli in four of them and then take a deviation. The fifth route is different and does not touch Hubli.

All these routes take you through lovely ranges of the Western Ghats. You will be stunned by the beauty of the valleys and waterfalls you will see on the way. Especially if you drive in the monsoon. While driving in monsoon one needs to be cautious of possible landslides and roadblocks. The best season to drive will be immediately after monsoon.

Check out these five routes and five thrilling road trip experiences for your Goa trip by car!  Please click on the pictures to see them in larger sizes.

Please ensure that you have topped up/recharged your FASTag account before starting the road trip.

Route 1 – Amazing Anmod Ghat!

Latest update – The Anmod Ghat road is open for traffic after repairs. Ramnagar to Mollem will take 45 mins. However, there are small diversions and bad patches for few kilometres before you enter Goa border. Follow the signage, especially between Ramnagar and Anmod checkpoint on the Karnataka side. Once you cross to Goa, the road is good.

The shortest of the six routes. The drive from Dharwad to Goa is stunningly beautiful. Driving through Mahadayi Wild Life Sanctuary, you will see numerous waterfalls during monsoon.

Lovely valley views and the excellent road make this a pleasant drive. Stop over at places to enjoy the valley views.

Suitable for those who are going to North and Central Goa places like Panaji, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Arambol, Colva, Arpora etc first.

Check out this detailed post on this blog on our drive on this route in Monsoon in 2014 – Monsoon Drive to Goa 1 – Amazed @ Anmod Ghat!

Bangalore to Goa Distance by this route – 597 KMs

Driving Time – 10 hours with Breakfast and Lunch breaks

Suggested stops 

Breakfast – Kamat Upachar (Sira), Sai Palace (Between Sira and Hiriyur), Cafe Coffee Day (Sira), Upadhya Ruchi (Chitradurga bypass), Kapatharu (after Tumkur), Adigas Pakashala (Sira Byepass). Our Choice is Adigas Paakashala and Upadhya Ruchi. All these places have restrooms.

Lunch – You don’t have good options for Lunch on this route. Sri Lakshmi or Vaishali in Ramnagar is a good bet. However, Molem would be a good place to eat something before you reach your hotel in Goa. Roshan and Mollem Karibu in Mollem is worth a visit.

Google Map – https://goo.gl/maps/9tu62YJVxk42

Google map for Alternate route via Dandeli – https://goo.gl/maps/LtX3bLNPU79c4ZCq9

Route 2 – Get awestruck at Amboli Ghat

If you are staying in North Goa we recommend that you drive through this route once during the trip.

The drive through Amboli ghat after Chandgad is mind-blowingly beautiful, especially in Monsoon. Driving through mist-clad roads with Amboli Valley on the one side and a canopy of waterfalls on the other side makes this route stand out for its beauty.

To top it all, you will get a chance to see beautiful Amboli Falls.

Suitable for those who are going to North and Central Goa places like Panaji, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Arambol, Colva, Arpora etc first.

Check out this detailed post on this blog on our drive on this route in Monsoon in 2014 – Monsoon Drive to Goa 2 – Awestruck @ Amboli Ghat!

Bangalore to Goa Distance by this route – 667 KMs

Driving time – 10 – 11 Hours with breaks for Breakfast and Lunch.

Suggested stops

Breakfast – Kamat Upachar (Sira), Sai Palace (Between Sira and Hiriyur), Cafe Coffee Day (Sira), Upadhya Ruchi (Chitradurga bypass), Kapatharu (after Tumkur), Adigas Pakashala (Sira Byepass). Our Choice is Adigas Paakashala and Upadhya Ruchi. All these places have restrooms.

Lunch – If you are seafood lover and love Malwani cuisine, you can have your lunch break in Sawantwadi.

Google Map – https://goo.gl/maps/dB2AL1kt45o

Route 3 – Captivating Chorla Ghat

We drove on this route during the monsoon. What a blissful drive! The route from Belgaum to Goa is a pleasure. Virtually driving under a canopy of trees with green fields and valleys.

You will get a chance to see the grand spectacle of Surla Falls which is a small detour from the highway at the excise check post of Karnataka. Enjoy the pleasing view of the backwaters of Keri Dam and the rolling hills of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary along the way.

Suitable for those who are going to North and Central Goa places like Panaji, Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Arambol, Colva, Arpora etc first.

Bangalore to Goa Distance by this route – 626 KMs

Driving time – 10 – 11 Hours with breaks for Breakfast and Lunch.

Suggested stops

Breakfast – Kamat Upachar (Sira), Sai Palace (Between Sira and Hiriyur), Cafe Coffee Day (Sira), Upadhya Ruchi (Chitradurga bypass), Kapatharu (after Tumkur), Adigas Pakashala (Sira Byepass). Our Choice is Adigas Paakashala and Upadhya Ruchi. All these places have restrooms.

Lunch – It would be good to have early lunch in Belgaum which has good options. Else, the other decent option will be Delta Eco Huts on the highway before turning to Surla Falls

Google Map – https://goo.gl/maps/7trxDRViuFQ2

You may take a look at this post on this blog on driving on this route – Monsoon Magic – A quick drive to Goa and Malnad!

Route 4 – Twin falls and the Coastal drive

This is a perennial favourite of us. As soon as you leave Hubli, you are treated to soothing green fields.

After you cross Yallapur, you will be driving through forests till you meet the NH 66. This route gives you an opportunity to visit two charming waterfalls – Magod Falls and Vibhuti Falls.

For Magod falls, take a small detour of 12 KMs from the highway. A spectacular waterfall formed by Bedti river. On the way to the falls stop over to enjoy the beauty of serene Kavadikere lake.

Latest update – We understand that the road from highway to Magod is not in a great condition after rains. This may delay the overall time of travel. Please plan accordingly.

Vibhuti Falls is another lovely waterfall you will see when you drive from Bangalore to Goa on this route. River jumps over rocks to from a layered falls. Look out for the signage after Ramanguli. A drive of 14 KMs off the highway will take you to the falls.

Enjoy the enchanting views of the seacoast as you climb from Ankola. You may also stopover to visit the war ship museum at Karwar beach.

After Karwar, Look out for the fabulous sight of Kali river’s confluence with the Arabian sea.

This route from Bangalore is ideal for those who are going to places like Cancona, Palolem, Agonda, Varca, Cavalossim, Madgaon, Benaulim in South Goa first.

Bangalore to Goa Distance by this route – 673 KMs

Driving time – 11 – 12 Hours with breaks for Breakfast and Lunch.

Suggested stops

Breakfast – Kamat Upachar (Sira),  Sai Palace (Between Sira and Hiriyur), Cafe Coffee Day (Sira), Upadhya Ruchi (Chitradurga byepass), Kapatharu ( after Tumkur), Adigas Pakashala (Sira Byepass). Our Choice is Adigas Paakashala and Upadhya Ruchi. All these places have rest rooms.

Lunch – Either one can have at Kamat Upachar on the Mumbai – Managlore highway. At the junction where you join the Mumbai – Mangalore highway, turn left and drive for a kilometre to see Kamat Upachar. If you are OK to wait for another 45 minutes, then you can have lunch in Amruth Hotel in Karwar whose specialty is sea food Amrut restaurant in Karwar.

Google Map – https://goo.gl/maps/etwkirKWupx

Route 5 – Joy of Jog Falls

A lovely route for those who are going from Bangalore to Goa if you are planning your stay in South Goa.

Once you enter Shiralakoppa, you will be driving through Malnad region. This route gives you a chance to see the famous Jog falls which is breathtakingly beautiful in monsoon.

The drive from Sagar to Honnavar is virtually through a green canopy. The stretch through Sharavathi wildlife sanctuary after Jog falls is spellbinding. Stop over to enjoy the spectacle of Bangara Kusuma falls which is glorious in monsoon.

Enjoy the magnificent sight of Sharavathi valley at the viewpoint which you cannot miss on the roadside. One may also visit the famous Bangaramakki Hanuman temple on the way.

Once you join the NH 66 at Honnavar, you will get a chance to see confluence of Sharavati river and sea. The drive along the coast till Goa is fantastic.

This route from Bangalore is ideal for those who are going to places like Cancona, Palolem, Agonda, Varca, Cavalossim, Madgaon, Benaulim in South Goa first.

Bangalore to Goa Distance by this route – 595 KMs

Driving time – 11 – 12 Hours with breaks for Breakfast and Lunch.

Suggested stops

Breakfast – Kamat Upachar (Sira),  Sai Palace (Between Sira and Hiriyur), Cafe Coffee Day (Sira), Upadhya Ruchi (Chitradurga byepass), Kapatharu ( after Tumkur), Adigas Pakashala (Sira Byepass). Our Choice is Adigas Paakashala and Upadhya Ruchi. All these places have rest rooms.

Lunch – Have early lunch in Sagar Residency before Honnavar

Google Map – https://goo.gl/maps/bxRdX8to9tm

Travel Tips

We recommend you leave early in the morning around 6 AM so that you can comfortably reach your destination in Goa by 5 PM

We have given route maps for routes 1, 2 and 3 up to Panjim in North Goa and that of route 4 and 5 up to Palolem in South Goa. You can reach your destination from these places.

1. If you are a Davanagere Benne Dosa fan like us, you can drive on and eat at Kottureshwara in Davanagere. You need to keep an additional one hour for this as there will be waiting period at this place. If you want to know more about Davanagere Benne Dosa please click on this link in this blog – Buttering Lessons in Davanagere!
2. Lunch breaks for routes 1 to 4
   • Route 1 – Sri Lakshmi or Vaishali in Ramnagar
   • Route 2 – Belgaum or Sawantwadi
   • Route 3 – The Delta resort before you turn to Surla falls
   • Route 4 – Kamat Upachar hotel which is a KM towards Mangalore when you join NH66 before Ankola.
3. There are Cafe Coffee Day outlets at different places on the way for loo breaks on all routes.
   • Dobaspet, Sira, Harihar, After RaneBennur, Shiggaon
4. The road conditions are good. All roads are well signaged.
5. The Chorla ghat road is likely to see more traffic among all the five routes due to vehicles coming from Maharashtra side.
6. Drive safe as the roads in Western ghats are curvaceous.
7. Our recommendation is to go by one road for onward journey and return by the other depending on where you will be staying in Goa.
8. There are other routes from Bangalore to Goa as well. These are via Dandeli after Hubli, Via Bankapur after Haveri. You may try it if you wish to.
9. On reaching Goa, for getting best out of the trip and make it memorable, we urge you to check this post on this blog

12 Things to do in Goa you haven’t done before!

Lastly, the road conditions on the routes may change due to various factors. Especially during monsoon and immediately after as all the roads go through heavy rainfall areas which may see landslides, road blocks and patchy roads.  We advise you to join a road trip enthusiasts group HVK Forum managed by H V Kumar, the doyen of road trips in India. You can get the latest updates on the road conditions in this very active group. Search for “ Goa roads” in the group for latest updates.

We strongly suggest that you download the customised Routo app from H V Kumar. HVK as he is fondly called, provides you with customised route maps, live support on the road trip with road conditions and will also help you with hotel accommodation as well. Check out all the details here.

Routo – The Right Route & Travel Support For The Motorist Traveller

Do let us know about your experience of driving on these lovely routes from Bangalore to Goa. We look forward to your feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I go to Goa from Bangalore by car? – Yes you can and we say you should! With five lovely routes to choose from above, going to Goa from Bangalore by car is a lovely experience! 
2. Is it difficult to drive from Bangalore to Goa? – The answer is NO. It is a comfortable drive from Bangalore to Goa on whichever route you choose from the above.
3. Which is the best route to reach Goa from Bangalore? – There are five lovely routes to reach Goa from Bangalore. You can choose any one of them. Our suggestion. Go by one and come by the other.
4. Where to halt between Bangalore to Goa? – There is no need to halt between Bangalore to Goa. It is a comfortable 10-hour drive with breaks.

Also check out the following posts on Goa which will make your Goan sojourn a memorable experience!!!

• 12 Things to do in Goa you have never done before!       http://traveltwosome.com/12-things-to-do-in-goa-you-havent-done/
• 5 offbeat Things to in Goa in Monsoon        http://traveltwosome.com/5-things-to-do-in-goa-in-monsoon/
• Dudhsagar falls railway track trek – A Spectacular experience .     http://traveltwosome.com/dudhsagar-falls-railway-track-trek/

We encourage you to explore more around Bangalore! Do check these posts below.

12 Wonderful Weeklong Road Trips from Bangalore with Day Wise Itinerary! – http://traveltwosome.com/exciting-road-trips-from-bangalore/ 

8 Wonderful Weekend Trips from Bangalore (Covers Saturday & Sunday) with Day Wise Itinerary – http://traveltwosome.com/weekend-getaways-from-bangalore/

What has been your experience on driving on these lovely routes from Bangalore to Goa?  We would like to hear from you. Please share it in the comments below.

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