1 A Drive from Goa to Mumbai – What to Expect

If you are living in Mumbai, a weekend trip to Goa will always be on your to-do list. You could choose to fly or take a train, but a long drive might just be the most thrilling of them all. When everything else was not operational, the pandemic made many feel the need for a means of private transport. This opened up an entire world of adventurous possibilities for anyone who dared to go on long drives. 

Goa became one of the most popular destinations for people living in Pune, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. While also helping you escape the concrete jungles, Goa also offers all kinds of wonderful experiences to make for a perfect weekend getaway. If you are someone planning a long drive from Goa to Mumbai, here is what you can expect –

You can Choose What Road to Take to Go from Mumbai to Goa

While this might not sound all that interesting, the road you pick will determine the memories you make. There are two highways from Mumbai to Goa recommended by most – NH 66 and NH 48.  

Driving Along the NH 48

The NH 48 passes through the hinterlands of Maharashtra across some important cities such as Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur. This can make for a wonderful day trip as these locations have plenty of things to offer. You could even make overnight stays and enjoy the variety of cuisines and experiences that you are bound to come across. 

Things to Do – Visit Kayani Bakery in Pune, try a mutton thali in Kolhapur, hike up forts in Satara, and add the Dudhsagar Falls to your route as well.

Apart from these popular cities, the drive along NH 48 has a lot more sightseeing to offer. The Lohagad Fort, the hill station of Khandala, the Chorla ghats on the Goa-Karnataka border, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, and the Kaas Patthar plateau are some stops worth considering. However, these locations require a longer stay so it is recommended that you plan your trip while taking into consideration possible overnight stays. This is especially crucial as you enter the Chorla ghats where driving at night might be close to impossible and treacherous. 

Driving Along the NH 66

The NH 66 goes along the Konkan coast through the villages of Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Malvan, and Sawantwadi. If you drive along this highway, you are bound to cross lush green forests, rivulets, rivers, rustic villages, and paddy fields along roads dotted with coconut or areca nut plantations. What’s more, before you stumble across Goa’s beaches you might just end up being enraptured by Maharashtra’s.

The topography changes quickly as you pass through the Sahyadri mountain range of the Western Ghats. Apart from that, the Konkan coast is well-known for its unique range of seafood dishes, such as the Malvani fish curry and rice. Apart from that, you can plan your trip to include other well-known locations too such as Alibaug’s beaches, Raigarh Fort, Sindhdurg’s attractions, and even the scenic hill station of Mahabaleshwar. Again, it is important to consider the fact that the Amboli ghat is devoid of street lights that make night travel difficult. If you plan on taking longer stops, make sure to include overnight stays.

Which Highway to Take, NH 48 or NH 66?

As opposed to NH 48, NH 66 is a lot more scenic but may not have the best roads throughout. However, it is for the most part a comfortable four-lane highway. Both the roads should take an average of 13 hours to drive from Goa to Mumbai provided you don’t take too many stops. While the NH 48 offers a more steady driving experience, the NH 66 is for adventurous souls who want to taste the flavours of the Konkan and navigate through the Amboli ghats. 

Before you Drive Down from Mumbai to Goa

  • Make sure that you are not taking this trip alone. Some company helps you stay focused and avoid fatigue.
  • Get a good night’s sleep to stay alert while driving.
  • Pack plenty of snacks and fluids to stay hydrated. However, limit their consumption to avoid taking too many bathroom breaks. Eat and drink just enough to stay refueled and hydrated.
  • Get your car serviced, and pack a spare tyre and any essential tools.
  • Put together a well-equipped emergency first-aid kit.
  • Pack a little bit of spare fuel for emergencies.
  • Download all your maps offline as the entire road might not have network connectivity.
  • Have an offline travel playlist so no one gets bored.

You may also like to read out the blog on quick roadtrips you can take from Goa.

By Marquis