Road trip - Konkan Coast
A 10-day Konkan road trip filled with rivers meeting the sea, pristine beaches, and endless seafood delights
Our 10-day road trip along the Konkan coast took us from Mangaluru and Udupi to Padubidri, Gokarna, and finally all the way to Goa. The drive was full of moments where rivers quietly met the Arabian Sea, opening up to calm and endless views of the water. We found some of the cleanest and most untouched beaches in the country, dipped our feet in the sea whenever we got the chance, and happily indulged in local food and fresh seafood all through the journey
Travel details
Total distance 1300 kilometers
Total driving time 30 hours approximately
Route đ Bengaluru -> Mangaluru -> Padubidri -> Udupi -> Murdeshwar -> Gokarna -> Goa -> Bangalore
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Day 1: Bengaluru to Mangaluru - The Long Drive, Ice Cream Reward đŠ
15 Aug 2025
We kicked off our Konkan journey a bit late, leaving Bengaluru around 11 am with one simple planâreach Mangaluru by evening and crash. The road stretched close to 400 km and took us about 8 hours. Both of us took turns driving as we passed Channarayapatna, Hassan, Sakleshpur, and Bantwal. The stretch through Sakleshpur ghats was especially scenicâlush hills, winding curves, and a route thatâs loved by road-trippers (and dreaded a little by truckers!). Nearing Mangaluru, the pace slowed with highway construction, but we still rolled into the city around 7 pm. Dinner at the hotel was forgettableâthe buffet felt overpriced. But the property itself turned out better than expected. The rooms were bright, well-kept, and had a lovely view of an old building outside, almost like a reminder of a time gone by. Location-wise too, it was spot on, making it easy to step out and explore. For what we paid, it was actually good value for money. And step out we didâstraight to Pabbas. If youâve ever been to Mangaluru, youâll know Pabbas isnât just an ice cream parlorâitâs practically an institution. Their legendary âgudbudâ ice cream, a tall glass layered with jelly, fruits, nuts, and scoops of ice cream, is said to have originated here. It was fun watching the kids dig in, eyes wide at the colorful mess of flavors. We wrapped up the night with some quick planning for the next two days in the city, before sinking into our comfy beds and calling it a day.
Highlights
- â Desserts at Pabbas - Their ice-creams were nice
- â Rooms at the hotel were big and comfortable
- â The traffic and construction on the highway near Mangaluru
Photos
The
Accommodation
Taj Vivanta
The hotel was well-located with bright rooms and a charming view, offering good value for money. The food, however, was averageâthe buffet didnât feel worth the price
Places to Eat
Pabbas
đ Pabbas Lalbagh, Mangaluru
Pabbas is a Mangaluru classicâbuzzing with energy and serving some of the most creative sundaes around. Their signature gudbud is a must-try, fun, colorful, and perfect for sharing with kids
Additional Considerations
If you start early from Bengaluru, you can reach Mangaluru in good time, with constructions over hopefully and even the day 1 can be used for a bit of sight seeing, if planned properly