Mumbai to Goa: A Must-Do Road Trip Adventure for a Mumbaikar

With a number of amazing places to visit in Goa, there is no doubt that as a travel destination, Goa hits all the right notes. All of us, at some point, have planned a trip to Goa. Whether the plan actually came to fruition is yet another story.

If you are planning to visit Goa for your next vacation, time to consider a road trip from Mumbai to Goa! If you too want to drive down to Goa and explore the beautiful vistas that the route is supposed to offer, you need to put on your thinking hats. This blog is for the Mumbai to Goa by road trip, full of information and tips to help you along the way.

1. The Best Time to Visit Goa

The months of December and January are considered to be the busiest months in Goa and if you wish to travel during this time, it is important to have a Goa tour package in place to ensure your reservations and travel arrangements in Goa are in place. On the other hand, if you want to avoid the crowds in Goa, the time between February and June or between October and December would suit you better. The monsoon season might not be the best time to plan your Mumbai to Goa road trip as the roads might pose quite a challenge for you during this time.

Mumbai to Goa road trip in the offing? This blog is for you.

2. Travelling to Goa by Road

The Mumbai to Goa distance by road is less than 600 km and if you take the fastest route without making any stops, it will take you about 10 - 12 hours to reach there. However, the best idea would be to take some time to plan your route and factor in time to explore the amazing destinations on the way itself. There are many places to see between Mumbai and Goa; including them in your plan would help ensure that the journey itself will be worth remembering, just like the destination.

3. Which Route You Should Take

The route you choose to take will play a major role in how memorable the road trip is. You can either choose the NH48 route or the NH66 route. Both have their own set of advantages but the final decision is in your hands.

3.1 Route NH48

On your Mumbai to Goa road trip, this highway will take you through Panvel, Lonavala, Kamshet, Khandala, Satara, Kolhapur, Sankeshwar, Belgaum, Khanapur, and Mollem. There will be several places on the route, and you can plan your stops according to what you prefer. If you choose the NH48 route, here are some of the best things to do on your road trip from Mumbai to Goa:

• Lohagad Fort: This is an ancient fort that offers gorgeous landscapes and stunning views to all visitors. You can roam through the historic walls of the fort and explore the moats for a good time.
• Drive Through Khandala: You can explore Duke’s Nose, Tiger’s Leap, and Amrutanjan Point, which are the main places of interest in Khandala.
• Karnala Bird Sanctuary: The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is one of the best places to see between Mumbai and Goa for birders. It offers you opportunities to check out different species of birds and explore nature.
• Kaas Pathar Plateau: With about 850 different species of flowers, Kaas Pathar Plateau is a great destination for nature enthusiasts. You can check out everything from orchids to carnivorous plants here.
• Kolhapur: Another one of the famous places to see between Mumbai and Goa, Kolhapur is well-known for the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Tara Rani that it houses.
• Safari at Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary: This is a great place for your trek to the Dudhsagar Falls and also has an abundance of wildlife and nature to offer to all visitors.
• Belgaum: On your Mumbai to Goa road route, Belgaum is a destination you simply cannot miss. It has a plethora of interesting places for you to explore, like the Kittur Fort and Palace, Gokak Falls, Ramtirth, Belgaum Fort, and Dudhsagar.

This route promises you a smooth ride that is marked by wide roads that allow you to open up the throttle. Most of the Mumbai to Goa road route via NH48 is a straight four-lane road with great stopovers along the way. Great for a family trip, you should, of course, be ready for a number of toll booths on the way. The road is so straight and smooth to travel that it is also well-suited for a night drive from Mumbai to Goa.

3.2 Route NH66

Choosing the NH66 plan will take you through Panvel, Pen, Kolad, Khed, Chiplun, Pali, and Sawantwadi to Goa. Again, there will be several things to do on your road trip from Mumbai to Goa if you choose this path. There will be several places to explore including heritage structures, religious destinations, and historic sites, but you should avoid this road in case you are prone to motion sickness. The total Mumbai to Goa road trip time via this route is approximately 12 hours if you take no stops. However, you may want to include some of the following into your itinerary:

• Ganpatipule: This beach may not be very famous but has several water activities and a certain beauty to offer.
• Karnala Bird Sanctuary: The Bird Sanctuary is home to 222+ species of birds and also houses the Karnala Fort within its boundaries.
• Pen: Famous for its huge Ganesh idols, spending some time in Pen will allow you to get an insight into the lives of these artisans.
• Kolad: You can enjoy some white water rafting here.
• Tamhini Ghat Waterfalls: Surrounded by lush greenery, this waterfall makes for a splendid sight. If you stop here during your Mumbai to Goa road trip, you can also visit the Kansai Waterfalls nearby.
• Dapoli: The Harnai Port, Panhalakaji Caves, Kadyavarcha Ganapati Temple, and the Unhavare hot springs are some of the attractions here.
• Murud: This is a small coastal village where you can go for dolphin-spotting.
• Chiplun: Here you can check out the Guhagar Beach, Sawatsada Waterfalls, Lord Parashurama Temple, Koyna Dam, and the caves of the Pandavas.
• Sawantwadi: Another great spot on your Mumbai to Goa road trip will be the tranquil settings of Sawantwadi. The Sawantwadi Palace is a historic structure that will take you back in time and the huge Moti Talao is another attraction for you to explore.

4. Some Tips While Covering the Distance by Road

Before you head out on this road trip, it is important to understand that you are undertaking quite a task and you need to be well prepared for it.

• Get enough rest before your journey.
• If you are not very confident, avoid a night drive on your Mumbai to Goa
• Ensure you are well aware of the traffic rules.
• Make sure you have all essentials at hand. Make a checklist if you must.
• Keep a first aid kit in your car.
• Travel with basic medication for stomach problems, fever, nausea, headaches, etc.
• Observe the speed limit wherever you are.
• Plan frequent breaks in the journey to ensure that you can refresh your body and mind. Your Mumbai to Goa road route will not seem too strenuous if you have enough breaks.
• High protein snacks are good for keeping up your energy.
• Keep an eye on the fuel gauge and never let it go too low just in case you don’t find a filling station when you need it.
• Check the tires of the car before heading out, and make sure the spare tire too is in good condition.
• The Mumbai to Goa distance by road is not much but can get tiresome for children. So, if you are travelling with children, make sure you carry enough activities to keep them busy.

Such road trips are experiences in themselves. And after you are done with the driving, the least you deserve is staying at the best beach resorts in Goa so pamper yourself with that.

With so many awesome things to do on a road trip from Mumbai to Goa, you are all set to have a vacation that you will cherish forever. Remember, when you choose the route you want to follow, the NH48 route is more straightforward and better if you plan to drive from Mumbai to Goa at night. It will also take you lesser time to take this route. On the other hand, NH66 is the more scenic route, full of attractive spots for you to stop at. Take your pick.