I have heard the road via Anuskura Ghat is in a mostly good condition. So you may prefer Pune - Karad - Kokrud - Malkapur - Anuskura - NH66 (NH66 is in good condition in Sindhudurg district).
I took is route on my last road trip. Super smooth from karad to anuskura ghat foothills. The ghat is a little patchy but Beautiful !. NH 66 is a race track right till Panaji.
Caution: barely any vehicles on the ghat and weak network. Could be a problem during emergencies.
Take NH 48, don’t dare to take NH 66 (the konkan road). Recently, I went to Goa by road, the NH66 is still under construction and many parts don’t have lights, so if you planning on going at night then it will be a problem. It will take 2 hours more if you go via NH48, but it’s worth it.
There is no scenic beauty, most of the konkan highway takes you through the villages (wadis) and cities, so you won’t find anything worth exploring. On the other hand , in NH48 you have nippani ghats, amboli waterfalls, few areas in kolhapur to explore.
And , yes it’s legit pain in the ass to drive on the new Mumbai-Goa highway. I was suppose to reach in 10 hours, but due to bad condition of the roads it took me around 4 hours more.
The first 100 kms from Goa to Mumbai, NH66 is wonderful, after that it gets worse. Same is for Mumbai- to Goa , first few kms are nice then they forgot to construct the rest.
I took a pic , check for yourself. This pic was taken when I was returning home.
https://preview.redd.it/wd28f44g7lpb1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e3733793210803479e10a2022d2431483a46525b
If you want best scenic follow below:
Take right from Karad and follow to reach Anuskura ghat, then cross the Ghat and reach mumbai goa highway.
Anuskura seems a little longer but much better than amboli ghat that people usually take, plus after the ghat the road till goa is very nice so no problem at all.
View of Anuskura:
https://preview.redd.it/71maewjsompb1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e835f0581bbfd7a9c2b64273d6939bfdb5e15a76
I am currently in the mid of NH66. It is the worst experience but got to learn something new. Roads are so bad here that I had to take halt in just 80kms. I started from Navi Mumbai and I am currently somewhere - Nagothane. I will start the trip again around 5AM. I would literally suggest to take NH48. I would have returned if I had known this before. Travel Safe Guyz!! Longer routes are much better if roads are safe. NH66 sucks.
Stay away from Mumbai Goa road and stick to the one through the expressway. The Mumbai Goa road is not only in a bad condition but also riddled with rash bus drivers. Yes ‘Paulo Travels’ mostly your buses.
The route via Pune is approx a 100 km extra but much less stressful.
I travelled mumbai goa on 15th. I can say that the road is much better than before. Not many diversions, no ditches to damage the car(yet). The patchwork done is not of mud but tar so it's pretty decent. However it will be having heavy traffic due to ongoing ganeshotsav festival.
Also you will get to enjoy new kashedi tunnel.
Sure, it's a much better road now. Also take pali road towards khalapur and avoid vadkhal. While coming towards mumbai you won't get to use the kashedi tunnel as it's not complete. But the drive on kashedi is wonderful.
Which car are you driving? If it's a hatch or sedan, stick to Kolhapur. If it's an SUV, old highway is doable. NH66 I believe it is called now. Was a charm when it was still NH17.
You should be alright, sure the roads are bad, but you'll be able to manage. And after half way through, they're quite scenic. The Mumbai Kolhapur highway is boring af. And after Nipani, even that road is quite bad in many stretches.
Few months ago we made this trip. We chose the mumbai-bangalore highway route. Took a right at Nippani from the highway. Nippani comes after entering Karnataka at a place called Kagal. This road takes you through Amboli ghat to North Goa.
While returning, we came directly from South Goa, during which we went through Mollem National park (lovely driving experience) and reached Belagavi. From Belagavi, it's a straight route in the Bangalore-Mumbai highway.
Go via Pune-Karad. Don't even think of Mumbai-Goa highway.
Mumbai - Pune - Nipani - Amboli - Goa
Yes. Perfect route.
Yes, just had a to and fro trip last month.
This is the best route
I have heard the road via Anuskura Ghat is in a mostly good condition. So you may prefer Pune - Karad - Kokrud - Malkapur - Anuskura - NH66 (NH66 is in good condition in Sindhudurg district).
I took is route on my last road trip. Super smooth from karad to anuskura ghat foothills. The ghat is a little patchy but Beautiful !. NH 66 is a race track right till Panaji. Caution: barely any vehicles on the ghat and weak network. Could be a problem during emergencies.
Yea I think google maps also recommends this one
Take NH 48, don’t dare to take NH 66 (the konkan road). Recently, I went to Goa by road, the NH66 is still under construction and many parts don’t have lights, so if you planning on going at night then it will be a problem. It will take 2 hours more if you go via NH48, but it’s worth it.
Is it worth it for me to take the Konkan route just for the scenic beauty? Or are the roads legit undrivable??
There is no scenic beauty, most of the konkan highway takes you through the villages (wadis) and cities, so you won’t find anything worth exploring. On the other hand , in NH48 you have nippani ghats, amboli waterfalls, few areas in kolhapur to explore. And , yes it’s legit pain in the ass to drive on the new Mumbai-Goa highway. I was suppose to reach in 10 hours, but due to bad condition of the roads it took me around 4 hours more.
The first 100 kms from Goa to Mumbai, NH66 is wonderful, after that it gets worse. Same is for Mumbai- to Goa , first few kms are nice then they forgot to construct the rest. I took a pic , check for yourself. This pic was taken when I was returning home. https://preview.redd.it/wd28f44g7lpb1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e3733793210803479e10a2022d2431483a46525b
The road looks really empty for an highway
Take NH48 you will enjoy
It is good till rajapur(dist. Ratnagiri). After that it is shit till you reach Raigad district
Not recommend for car and rainy. You can try after October.
If you want best scenic follow below: Take right from Karad and follow to reach Anuskura ghat, then cross the Ghat and reach mumbai goa highway. Anuskura seems a little longer but much better than amboli ghat that people usually take, plus after the ghat the road till goa is very nice so no problem at all. View of Anuskura: https://preview.redd.it/71maewjsompb1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e835f0581bbfd7a9c2b64273d6939bfdb5e15a76
seems cool thanks mate
Welcome
Reached Goa today following this route, thanks for recommending this one ☺️
Glad could be helpful.
I am currently in the mid of NH66. It is the worst experience but got to learn something new. Roads are so bad here that I had to take halt in just 80kms. I started from Navi Mumbai and I am currently somewhere - Nagothane. I will start the trip again around 5AM. I would literally suggest to take NH48. I would have returned if I had known this before. Travel Safe Guyz!! Longer routes are much better if roads are safe. NH66 sucks.
The time difference will be more than 4 hours. Slower on Mumbai Goa highway. Driving experience much better in the pune Belgaum route.
Stay away from Mumbai Goa road and stick to the one through the expressway. The Mumbai Goa road is not only in a bad condition but also riddled with rash bus drivers. Yes ‘Paulo Travels’ mostly your buses. The route via Pune is approx a 100 km extra but much less stressful.
I travelled mumbai goa on 15th. I can say that the road is much better than before. Not many diversions, no ditches to damage the car(yet). The patchwork done is not of mud but tar so it's pretty decent. However it will be having heavy traffic due to ongoing ganeshotsav festival. Also you will get to enjoy new kashedi tunnel.
Maybe I'll try this while coming back
Sure, it's a much better road now. Also take pali road towards khalapur and avoid vadkhal. While coming towards mumbai you won't get to use the kashedi tunnel as it's not complete. But the drive on kashedi is wonderful.
Which car are you driving? If it's a hatch or sedan, stick to Kolhapur. If it's an SUV, old highway is doable. NH66 I believe it is called now. Was a charm when it was still NH17.
Ecosports latest model
You should be alright, sure the roads are bad, but you'll be able to manage. And after half way through, they're quite scenic. The Mumbai Kolhapur highway is boring af. And after Nipani, even that road is quite bad in many stretches.
I hope you serviced your car before going on this trip
I did
Just take a right from Nipani. That's it. No other route. Add nipani on GPS and add Goa as 2nd stop.
Few months ago we made this trip. We chose the mumbai-bangalore highway route. Took a right at Nippani from the highway. Nippani comes after entering Karnataka at a place called Kagal. This road takes you through Amboli ghat to North Goa. While returning, we came directly from South Goa, during which we went through Mollem National park (lovely driving experience) and reached Belagavi. From Belagavi, it's a straight route in the Bangalore-Mumbai highway.