Delhi to Goa: A 2,000 KM Odyssey in Two Days: Living the Journey

🚗 From Delhi to Goa: A 2,000 KM Odyssey in Two Days

Date of Journey: May 11–12, 2025 (Sunday & Monday)

Vehicle: Maruti Ritz (2010 Model)

Total Distance Covered: ~1988 KM

Total Toll Paid: ₹3138

States Crossed (7): Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa.

🛣️ Living the Journey

The road trip from Delhi to Goa was my longest drive to date—nearly 1,000 kilometres per day, back-to-back. I have been passionate about long drives since my young days, when 300–400 km in a day used to feel like an achievement. With gradual improvements in road infrastructure, especially after 2005, driving 700–1000 km in a day became manageable. I have done the Patna–Delhi routes several times, each nearly 1,000 km, but this trip was different.

Now over 60, and with a 15-year-old car, the challenge was both physical and mechanical. It took me a while to convince myself, but the traveller inside me gave the green light.

🔍 Planning and Preparation

The most challenging part was gathering reliable information on the route, road conditions, tolls, and diversions. Online resources were scattered and often outdated. Eventually, I chose a route based on Google Maps that bypassed major urban areas like Jaipur, Indore, Mumbai, and Pune. It was longer in distance but little quicker.

The selected route included NE 4, NH 52, and NH 66, plus some non-tolled state roads. The planned distance to Goa was about 1,968 km, with Google Maps estimating 32–34 hours drive.

I arrived in Delhi on May 8. On May 9, we did a thorough check-up of the car in Dwarka—oil and filter change, AC check, and tyre inspection. All was in good shape. The journey was set to begin on May 11.

🗓️ Day 1: May 11 – Delhi to Dhule (Maharashtra) (1,057 KM)

Departure: 6:05 AM from Dwarka, Delhi (35 minutes later than planned)

Goal: Maximize morning drive hours before traffic picks up.

Entered NE 4 near Sohna around 7:00 AM. Smooth stretch of 229 km, averaging 100–120 km/h. Faced three diversions on NE 4 due to ongoing NE 4 construction, each adding delays at exits and re-entries.

First stop: 10:25 AM at Indragarh (381 km), tyre pressure adjusted from 40 to 30 PSI.

Second stop: 4:00 PM at 743 km for lunch (roti, daal, curd, coffee). Left at 4:45 PM.

 Third stop: Tea break at 7:00 PM (864 km) at Naivedyam. Good tea, short break.

Reached Dhule at 10:30 PM, after a long final stretch marred by heavy truck traffic and frequent speed bumps.

Hotel: Chandradeep Regency (bypass), dinner with chilled Carlsberg Elephant beer.

🗓️ Day 2: May 12 – Dhule to Goa (893 KM)

Departure: 8:45 AM after breakfast

Detour: Made an exception to visit the Kailash Temple at Ellora, 4 km off-route. Spent 1 hour 15 minutes exploring the grand monument on Buddha Purnima—a beautiful and spiritual stop.

 Back on route by 12:00 noon

 Lunch stop: 4:10 PM, after 200 + 297 km (total 1,554 km so far). Relaxed and re-energized.

 Final stretch: 396 km to Goa. Reached Calangute at 11:45 PM

 Stay: Saranam Green Resort, Calangute-Candolim road

Dinner: Nearby Punjabi Dhaba

Celebration: A small toast with Dewar’s white label whisky bought from Calangute super market.

🧭 Route Summary

Largely the route followed was as below:

1.         Dwarka internal roads, 248BB, southern Peripheral, Badshahpur Chowk, NH 248A, NE 4, Lalsot, Kota Mega Highway -NE 4-NH 52-NE-4-NH156 in Badi Choupati Badnawar ------ 746 KM

2.         Re-entry on NH 52 from Sisodiya from NH 156, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar Highway & NH 347C ----98 KM

3.         NH 52 again, NH 166, NH 160 to NH 548B in Karnataka ---907 KM

4.         NH 548 H to NH 66 in Banda ---107 KM

5.         Continue on NH 66 to take exit at Chogm road, Porvorim for Calangute, Goa---70 KM

Total 1928 Kms Plus diversions

🧾 Toll Summary

Total Toll Plazas: 25

Total Amount Paid: ₹3138

(See complete list at the end )

⚠️ Highlights & Challenges

Bad Roads in Karnataka and last leg between Maharashtra and Goa : Especially stressful in the final 200 km—poor road conditions, poor signage,construction ongoing, deep excavation, big potholes filled with water , narrow stretches, and night driving through the ghats.

Truck Traffic: Particularly between Dhar and Dhule. Frequent slowdowns due to overtaking trucks blocking both lanes.

Weather: Encountered heavy rain both afternoons. At one point, we nearly had to stop due to visibility issues.

Tyre Pressure: Checked twice; pressure increased to 38–40 PSI due to heat. Reduced to 30 PSI both days.

Most petrol pumps on highways don't have working air compressors, and they're often unattended with a simple sign saying "not working."

The rural stretch from Solapur to Kolhapur was notably well-developed, featuring good-quality houses and a low population density, all set against a backdrop of stunning scenic views on both sides of the road.

 NE (National Expressway ) 4 (Delhi-Mumbai Greenfield Expressway) Observations:

Under-construction stretches cause delays due to diversions.

Kota Tunnel not completed, once completed it will reduce the distance as well as time.

The surface quality of NE 4 was not so smooth in several stretches.It also differs section wise, one section or package has better surface than others.

Some Toll gates caused delays, often due to issues such as unreadable FASTags, expired tags, insufficient balance, less number of open gates or the need for cash payments.

Limited petrol pumps and food options in second stretch on NE 4 in MP. Hopefully it will be over in next three to six months.

Future improvements (like radar-based tolling), completion of NE 4 and repairing of last stretch Banda will significantly enhance travel experience and save approximately 4-6 hours time.

On the second stretch of NE 4 in MP, we had to take a detour to refuel due to the absence of petrol pumps.

🚙 Final Thoughts and reflections 

This drive will always be special—nearly 2,000 km in two days, through seven states, with a 15-year-old car that performed like a champ. It was a memorable journey, blending adventure, endurance, nostalgia, and celebration.We hadn't witnessed any major accidents on road on both days,which was a significant moment of relief and happiness for us.

"And above all, it was an incredible example of living in the moment for two days."

There are journeys that take you from one place to another — and then there are those rare ones that carry you deeper into yourself. My recent road trip from Delhi to Goa was one of those.

Setting off with no tight agenda, just the hum of the engine, open mind, flexible,plenty of time and an open road ahead, I rediscovered something I hadn’t felt in a long time: freedom without urgency. The vast sky unfolded endlessly above us, shifting from clear sunshine to dramatic monsoon clouds. The rain came in waves, washing over the land and incremental thoughts lending it a quiet, moving beauty and much needed respite to heat to both car and the self.

We passed through rural heartlands where life moves slower and deeper — winding valleys, vast open lands, silent ghats, long peaceful stretches of road, and the warm, colourful chaos of village markets selling fresh fruits and vegetables. The arid mountains stood in silent contrast, each turn and stop  offering something unexpected and beautiful and long beautiful spell bound stretches.The inside and outside become one, no confusion, live the moment. 

Inside the car, conversations with my friend ebbed and flowed — from light laughter, some music  to stretches of comfortable silence. There was no pressure to talk, no compulsion to fill the space. It was enough just to witness the places rolling by Km by Km sometime pleasantly fast.

One of the most meaningful moments came unexpectedly — a visit to the Kailash temple at Ellora on Buddha Purnima. It felt like the journey itself had conspired to bring us to that still point, a pause full of reverence and quiet grace.

Now, looking back, I am filled with gratitude — not just for the destination, but for everything in between: the rain, the sky, the small towns, the quiet roads, and the feeling of being wholly present.

This was more than a road trip. It was a reminder that sometimes, life is most fully lived not when we arrive, but when we journey well.

And yes, I am already looking forward to the next one.

🧾 Toll Booth Details

The details of toll plaza in the route:

S. No.	Toll Plaza Name	Amount (Rs.)	Time	Remarks
	11.05.2025
1	Ghamroz-Sohna Road	130	6.57	NE 4 Entry
2	Badkapara	555	9.03	Long good stretch
3	Kushthala	140	9.38	Diversion and re-entry
4	Indragarh	75	10.20	first stop
5	Gopalpura	195	12.10
6	Chechat(Gumanpura)	35	12.47
7	Dalavada	235	14.02
8	Nayapura	150	15.06
9	Chikiliya	69	15.49
10	Chokala	79	17.15
11	Khalghat	70	19.23
12	Jamli	115	20.25
13	Shirpur	135	21.45
14	Songir	85	22.18	Dhule
	12.05.25
15	Borvihir	100	9.01
16	Hatnoor	110	10.15	Exit for Ellora
17	Karodi	70	11.57
18	Maliwadi	110	12.44
19	PadalshingiTP	115	13.27
20	Pargaon	85	14.11
21	Yedashi	75	14.50
22	Tamalwadi	75	15.30
23	Khgaon	100	17.22
24	Ankadhal	110	18.06
25	Borgaon	120	18.43	Last toll booth
		3138