Re: Mumbai to Kerala road to take: Help needed
Hi TAI,
I am planning a trip from Mumbai to Cochin.
I would ideally like to do the trip in two days, with a halt at Kollur, Karnataka.
I am pretty much confused with the route to take(via Hubli-Ankola or via Ranebennur-Shikaripura).
My machine is a very amazing Chevy EnjoyLTZ. I plan to drive during the day (5am to 7pm).
Welcome aboard
Why taking NH-17 in the first place. Unless you have a specific job at Kollur, it should be the other more relaxed route for me via NICE road-Salem-Palakkad.
I did this route last July and here is the link:
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...ips-down-memory-lane-snapshot.html#post381668
And when is the trip planned?
Assuming you are planning to visit Mookambika Temple @Kollur on Day 1.
Mumbai –Hubli : NH-4. Around 600km/8-9 hours
Should be a blast.
Hubli – Kollur : NH 63, NH-17 combo, around 270 kms/ 6 -7 hours approximately
NH-63 towards NH-17 : Around 140 km/ 3-4 hous. The road condition should be good.
NH-17 : Kumta-Batkal towards Kundapura and then off to Kollur. 130 km/a minimum of 3 hours.
Last time when I did this stretch, it wasn’t great with huge craters and pot-holes. With heavy truck traffic, expect a slow crawling until you take a diversion from NH-17 towards Kollur.
Start as early as possible, say 4.00am start from Mumbai, so that you can hit Kollur before it gets dark. It’s no fun to drive in dark, after Gokarna on NH-17.
Staying option at Kollur:
---:: MOOKAMBIKA STAY ::---
Excellent with great south Indian food served.
Either at Beena Residency which is just about 10 meters and Aswathy Tourist Home about 100meters from the Temple. Both of them have parking facilities. Call them in advance.
Day 2 [NH-17 all the way- around 550 kms/ around 15 hours]
After having an early darsan, start off towards mangalore as early as possible.
Kollur-Mangalore: Around 130 kms
It was a construction zone last time around with road widening work on. Hope it’s finished now for good.
Mangalore- Kochi : around 420 km
Roads should be good but expect heavy traffic, especially in Kerala on narrow stretches up to Kozhikode. Even if you get a bit late in the evening, there is nothing to panic in Kerala. Don't go beyond say, 80-85 kmph on roads in Kerala.
All the best !