Bangalore - Delhi by Car (Summary)

From: Bangalore
To: Delhi
Duration: 17 days
Mode: Car - Alto
Distance: 3321 KMS
Dates: 24th Dec 2008 to 9th Jan 2009
Purpose: Travel across India in car, see places on the way with a special interest in history so read about Heroes,Events and Construction of the places I touched on the way. Get in touch with the folk tales of the location I visited (so spent money on tourist guides )
Read About: Stone Temples and Hoysala Empire, Jainism, Shivaji, Fort Construction in India, Portugese in India, History of Old Goa, Rajputs of Rajasthan, Mahatma Gandhi, Mughal Rule in India.
Route:
Karnataka

• Bangalore, Srvanabelagola, Hassan
• Halebidu, Belur, Chikmaglur, Shimoga
• Sagar, Jog Falls, Karwar

Goa

• Cancona - Palomel Beach
• Panjim Beaches
• Old Goa
• Anjuna Beach, Vagator Beach

Maharashtra

• Pratap Garh (Shivaji Fort)
• Raigad (Shivaji Fort)
• Mumbai, Pune

Daman
Gujarat

• Surat, Baruch
• Baroda, Ahmedabad, Himat Nagar

Rajasthan

• Udaipur,
• Chittorgarh (Fort) : By Train
• Jaipur (Amber Fort)

Delhi

Road Condition:

On hindsight it was good that I traveled from South to North because as I moved from Bangalore to Delhi the road condition steadily improved. The road condition has definitely improved considerably in the last 10 years. Toll was directly proportional to the quality of the road but I am sure I would have saved both on time and fuel on these stretches. No car breakdown and no flat tyre is a testimony to some well spent tax money.

Top 5 Road stretches (in my route)
Rank 1: Mumbai – Pune Expressway : (Toll:Rs 140) This road had six lanes all the way from Navi Mumbai to Pune and the condition of the road was very good. The reason I rate this stretch the highest is that this stretch of 120+ kms (since I joined it at Navi Mumbai) was through the Western Ghats. The tunnels, bridges and road layout were impressive and reminded me of the driving in US. Speed Limit was 80 km/hr; most cars were speeding with ease at around 100 km / hr.

Rank 2: Gurgaon – Delhi Expressway: (Toll: ) This 8 lane expressway, was cool with the roller coaster ride over the flyovers (due to the umpteen number of intersection). A must see for those who have not see it. Exits to move away from the expressway is also well planned. Traffic was heavy but no delays in toll gate.

Rank 3: Vadodara - Ahmedabad : (Toll: Rs 70) Called the National Expressway 1. This is part of the Golden Quadrilateral. This 90 km stretch had the highest speed limit I had seen in India till date 100 Km / Hr. In fact I was actually driving in this stretch below the speed limit, I thought I will wait for my Alto to grow into a Merc before pushing on the gas.

Rank 4: Himmat Nagar – Udaipur: (Toll : Multiple Tickets) 90 % of this stretch was a breeze and the quality of this stretch is the main reason I made it all the way to Udaipur. This and NE1 gave my highest distance (450 Kms @ day) . The rugged terrain gave a different perspective to my tour.

Rank 5: NH 17: Karwar – Goa - Mumbai, not an expressway but a scenic stretch and the ride over the rolling hills of Goa and Maharastra was a pleasure. Though not all of NH 17 is good the Calicut – Udipi stretch is pretty horrible.

Other strecthes are also very good for example Ajmer: Jaipur and some parts of Jaipur - Gurgaon