View of the Konkan Coast with green and brown shrubs on the hill leading down to a river that opens up to the ocean with a sandy beach.

Drive From Mumbai To Goa: Explore The Best Coastal Route

ByMelissa Kruse Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

Are you planning a drive from Mumbai to Goa? Read on!

The Konkan Coast is a stunning region sandwiched between the Western ghats that run along the western edge of the Indian western coast and the Arabian sea. It stretches from the South of Mumbai all the way down to Goa, beyond which the coastal area is referred to as the Malabar coast. 

Which Mumbai to Goa route is the best?

Quick facts: It’s 600 kms (373 miles) and about a 13 hour drive from Mumbai to Goa.

The scenic way: Stretching along the Arabian Sea, the NH66 route takes you through a blend of coastal towns, lush forests, and historic sites. This is the best route to get from Mumbai to Goa.

The ultimate coastal route: You can take NH66 part of the way and also head further west off of NH 66 onto SH 4 which will bring you the best sea views but also adds hours to your trip. If you’re breaking up the drive over a 3-6 day itinerary then consider adding SH 4 into your route.

The inland route: You can also take NH48 further inland. But it’s not really quicker than NH66 and isn’t as picturesque.

Once you arrive in Goa, there’s so many amazing places to stay in both North and South Goa.

Mumbai to Goa 2-Day Drive: The Expressway Route

This itinerary breaks up the 13-hour drive to Goa into 2 days along NH66 with a stop in Mahabaleshwar or Harihareshwar.

Day 1: Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar

Driving distance: 230 kms, ~5.5hrs
Route: Via NH 66 or NH66 & SH72

Mahabaleshwar is one of the most famous hill stations in Western India. Its highest point is at 1,439m or 4,721 ft above sea level. In addition to some stunning views of the Sahyadri mountains, the Mahabaleshwar area is famous for its strawberries. 85% of India’s strawberry production happens here.

Be sure to check out a strawberry farm and try the strawberry cream. I recommend Mapro Garden.

There are a couple hill viewpoints worth a look: Wilson Point and Elphinstone Point.

Mahabaleshwar, and its sister town Panchgani, offer many great options for resorts and restaurants. 

📍Where to stay in Mahabaleshwar:

Scenic view of Mahabaleshwar plateau surrounded by lush greenery and natural beauty with a tree on the left and blue sky in the background.
Mahabaleshwar

✨Alternative option: Mumbai to Harihareshwar

Driving distance: 200kms, ~5 hours
Route: via NH 66

Instead of Mahabaleshwar, if you are seeking beaches over mountain towns, drive to Harihareshwar for Day 1. It’s a similar distance and driving time.

If you opt for Harihareshwar, don’t miss Harihareshwar Beach framed by towering palm trees. Explore nearby attractions like Kalbhairav Temple and Savitri River Estuary.

📍Where to stay in Harihareshwar: Meritas Seawind Beach Resort, Shrivardhan

Day 2: Mahabaleshwar to Goa

Driving distance: 390 kms, ~8hrs
Route: Via NH66 or SH72 & NH66 or via NH48

The second day will involve a drive down the expressway to Goa. Lunch stop options include Satara, Chiplun, or the many dhabas you will cross along the way.

If you opted to stop at Harihareshwar instead of Mahabaleshwar the driving distance is 405kms, ~9hrs for the route via NH66.

Mumbai to Goa 4-Day Drive: The Coastal Route

A couple more days will allow you to explore a bit more of the coast by heading west from NH66 towards the coast. This will give you the opportunity of exploring some untouched villages and beaches along the coast while driving along some beautiful coastal roads along the sea cliffs. 

Day 1: Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar or Wai

Driving distance: 230 kms, ~5.5hrs
Route: Via NH 66 or NH66 & SH72

You can drive from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar, the same as day 1 above, or venture a little further west to Wai.

✨Alternative option: If you’re looking for something a bit less commercial, Wai is a village set at the bottom of the hill range that leads to Mahabaleshwar. Wai, and its adjoining villages, set on the banks of the river Krishna, offers you a glimpse of village life in India. It has some stunning temples set along the river. 

If you opt to visit Wai, check out the Ganpati Temple. Also visit nearby Menawali Wes to see the Nana Fadnavis Wada Temple. Be sure to stop at Dhom Lake where you can take a boat ride if you have time.

📍 Where to stay in Wai: Gandharva Resort

View of Nana Fadnavis Wada Temple along the river in Wai, India with green trees in the background.
Nana Fadnavis Wada

Day 2: Mahabaleshwar to Dapoli

Driving Distance: 100 kms, ~3 hours
Route: Via SH72 or SH72 & NH66

After spending the morning in Mahabaleshwar, take the afternoon to drive down to Dapoli, which will give you access to the beautiful coastal villages of Harnai, Murud, Ladghar and Tamstirth. 

Explore the beaches and the coastal route between Harnai and Dabhol, specifically the Tamarstirth beach is stunning.

If you’re staying at The Fern Samali Resort, they organize forest, bird watching walks in the morning offering you an insight into the the flora and fauna of the area.

📍Where to stay in Dapoli:

  • The Fern Samali Resort, Dapoli: Set on a hill deep in the forest, this resort offers a variety of cottages, forest activities, a pool, a full service bar and restaurant. 
  • Lemon Tree Hotel, Dapoli: The Lemon Tree hotel in Dapoli offers stunning views of the sea and is a standard 4 star hotel, offering a variety of rooms.
A view of the hotel room at Fern Dapoli showing a nice white bed, a tile floor, and a glass balcony with table and chairs.
My room at The Fern Samoli Resort, Dapoli

Day 3: Dapoli to Ganpatipule

There are 3 route options for the drive:
Option 1: via NH66
Driving distance: 146 kms, ~3.5 hours

Option 2: via Dapoli-Dabhol road (coastal routes involves 1 ferry)
Driving distance: 121 kms, ~3h 45 mins

Option 3: via Dapoli-Dabhol road & SH4 (coastal routes involves 2 ferries)
Driving distance: 121 kms, ~3h 45 mins

The coastal route, while spectacularly more beautiful, has bad patches and involves ferry transport across bays in Dabhol and Jaigad. The wait time for the ferry is a wild card as it could take close to an hour.

For a preview of part SH 4 near Dapoli, check out this video of the drive along the Konkan Coast.

The coastal route will involve many stunning beaches and viewpoints along the way, where you can stop for a refreshing break. Some places to check out include Kolthare Beach, Anjanvel Lighthouse, Palshet Beach, Hedavi Beach, Jaigad Fort, Malgund Beach. 

In Ganpatipule, don’t miss Aare Ware beach. You can zip line across the beach with Ocean Fly Zipline. Another popular sight is the temple of Shree Ganpatipule Mandir.

📍 Where to stay in Ganpatipule:

Day 4: Ganpatipule to Goa

Driving distance: 256 kms, ~5hrs
Route: Via NH66 or SH4 (involves multiple ferries and takes 8+ hours)

Goa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The state stretches about 150 kms along the coast, and is littered with spectacular beaches with shacks, top notch restaurants, resorts, nightlife and casinos. You can stay in North or South Goa depending on how you’re looking to spend your time in the area.

If you’re taking the coastal route via SH4, check out Ratnadurg Fort or Tondavali Beach along the way. You can also stop at Guhagar, Ratnagiri, or Vengurla (which the 6-day itinerary below gives options for).

For idyllic, less crowded beaches and beachfront resorts, head to the south of Goa. Areas to explore: Benaulim, Colva, Cavelossim, Patnem, Canacona, Varca, Madgaon, Palolem, Agonda.

Mumbai to Goa 6-Day Drive: The Leisurely Konkan Coast Journey

If you are doing a 6 day trip, you could also consider 2 days in Dapoli or adding Guhagar & Vengurla as stops to the 4 day itinerary for a more relaxed experience.

Day 1: Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar/Wai/Harihareshwar

Same itinerary options as the 4-day drive above. You can make your first stop in Mahabaleshwar if you’re looking for mountainous landscape, Wai for a small village experience, or Harihareshwar for beachside stays.

Day 2: Mahabaleshwar/Wai/Harihareshwar to Dapoli

Make your way from your first stop to Dapoli.

Refer to Day 2 of the 4-day itinerary for what to do and where to stay in Dapoli.

Day 3: Dapoli to Guhagar

Driving distance: 48 kms, ~2 hours
Route options: Via Dapoli-Dabhol Rd & SH 4 (includes a ferry)

Guhagar is a hidden gem tucked away on Maharashtra’s Konkan coast. Stop here for the night if you are seeking tranquility and natural beauty.

Try some of Guhagar’s fresh seafood, traditional Malvani dishes, and mouthwatering sweets. Local specialties include Malvani fish curry, sol kadhi, and ukdiche modak.

Visit Guhagar Beach or Velneshwar Beach for coastal views away from the crowds.

📍 Where to stay in Guhagar:

Day 4: Guhagar to Ganpatipule

Driving distance: 50kms, ~2 hours
Route: via MH SH4 (includes a ferry)

While in Ganpatipule, don’t miss Aare Ware Beach!

Also, Ratnagiri is just south of Ganpatipule and is known as the mango capital of India. If it’s mango season (late March to mid June), be sure to stock up on the juicy fruits as a road trip snack.

Day 5: Ganpatipule to Vengurla

Driving distance: 252 kms, 5.5 hours
Route: via NH66

Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, Vengurla is for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Relax on Vengurla Beach or explore the serene backwaters of the Terekhol River, where you can enjoy peaceful boat rides.

📍 Where to stay in Vengurla:

Day 6: Vengurla to Goa

Driving distance: 66kms, ~1h30m
Route: Via NH66

Finish off your road trip with a short drive from Vengurla to Goa.

Mumbai to Goa Drive: FAQs

Answering some top questions about the drive between Mumbai and Goa.

How many days should I spend driving between Mumbai to Goa?

The stretch south of Mumbai, all the way down to Goa, is peppered with idyllic beaches, hill stations and lakes perfect for stopping by to enjoy some sunshine or staying at a beachside resort for a longer retreat. 

A straight shot drive from Mumbai to Goa takes about 11-13 hours, with the choice of two expressways. So, you can do the drive in 1-2 days. But if you want to experience the hidden beauty the Konkan Coast has to offer I recommend at least 4-5 days. If you have the time, 6-7 days would be the ultimate Konkan Coast road trip.

How are the roads between Goa and Mumbai?

NH 66 or the Goa-Mumbai highway and NH 48 which is the Mumbai-BLR highway are both expressways (2 lanes each way). Regardless of what route you take you will also pass through the Mumbai-Pune expressway which is one of the fastest road in the country with most stretches having 8 lanes.

If you venture onto SH4 for a more scenic coastal drive, it gets patchy in places and requires bay crossings via ferries in a couple spots.

What is the best way to travel from Mumbai to Goa?

If you are looking for the quickest and easiest way, there are frequent flights between the two cities. It’s only a 1 hour and 20 minute flight. You can fly into either GOI or GOX for your trip to Goa.

But driving is another great option. You can drive all 13 hours in 1 day along NH 66, if you’re looking to get there quickly. If you have time on your hands, I recommend making a road trip out of it and stopping overnight in small towns and enjoying beautiful beaches along the way.

Places Worth Visiting On The Drive From Mumbai to Goa

Here’s a map with recommended towns for stopping in, beaches, hotels, and other points of interest along the drive.

TL;DR: The Best Route to Drive from Mumbai to Goa

The drive from Mumbai to Goa via the NH66 route showcases the diverse beauty of India’s Konkan Coast. There’s a lot to be explored on the road from busy Mumbai to the tranquil beaches of Goa, making a drive a fun option instead of flying.

I highly recommend making the drive over a period of 3-6 days so you can explore SH4 and some more of the charming towns and idyllic beaches lining the Konkan Coast.