Road trip · Karnataka · 2026
Bangalore to Udupi & Gokarna Road Trip: 500 km of Coastal Karnataka
There are few better road trips from Bangalore than a run up the coast to Udupi and Gokarna. The math is simple — Bangalore to Udupi is about 400 km, Udupi to Gokarna another 120 km up NH-66, and the whole loop lands around 1040 km return. You get temple town mornings, beachside afternoons, and the Western Ghats as the backdrop for the drive itself. This guide covers the best routes, stops you shouldn't skip, driving tips for May–June 2026, and a practical 4-day itinerary to make it happen.
Route at a glance
| Leg |
From |
To |
Distance |
Drive time |
Road |
| 1 |
Bangalore |
Udupi |
403 km |
7–8 hrs |
NH-75 |
| 2 |
Udupi |
Gokarna |
120 km |
2.5–3 hrs |
NH-66 |
| 3 |
Gokarna |
Bangalore |
485 km |
9–10 hrs |
NH-48 |
| Total |
Round trip |
~1008 km |
19–21 hrs |
|
Best time for this drive
October to March is the sweet spot — cool, dry, and the sea is calm. If you're reading this in May or June 2026, the drive is still very doable. Pre-monsoon (May) means hot and humid coastal afternoons — start your drive by 5 AM from Bangalore to beat the heat. June brings early monsoon showers that turn the ghats lush green, but NH-66 between Udupi and Gokarna can get slippery. Boat services to St. Mary's Island typically stop during heavy rains, so plan accordingly.
Long weekends (Republic Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti) see heavy traffic on all three routes — book your stay well in advance if travelling on a holiday weekend.
Route 1: NH-75 via Charmadi Ghat (Fastest — 403 km, 7–8 hours)
Bangalore → Hassan → Sakleshpur → Charmadi Ghat → Udupi
This is the route for getting there. NH-75 is well-maintained, and the Charmadi Ghat section offers some of the best driving roads in Karnataka — tight curves, coffee estates on either side, and a steady climb through the Western Ghats. Road conditions have improved significantly in 2026, with the Shiradi-Sakleshpur stretch largely resurfaced.
Pros: Shortest distance, most time at your destination, excellent road surface.
Cons: Charmadi Ghat is narrow in patches; avoid driving it after dark.
Watch for: Speed guns between Sakleshpur and Hassan — the 80 km/h limit is strictly enforced, fines ₹1000.
Route 2: NH-48 via Chitradurga-Haveri-Sirsi (Scenic — 490 km, 9–10 hours)
Bangalore → Tumkur → Chitradurga → Davangere → Haveri → Sirsi → Gokarna (skipping Udupi)
If you're heading straight to Gokarna, this is a better option. The highway is fast and wide up to Haveri, then you hit the Sirsi Ghats — a 30-km stretch of dense forest road that feels like a green tunnel. This route is also EV-friendly with 60 kW fast chargers at Chitradurga and Hubli.
Pros: Faster to Gokarna, forest drive through Sirsi Ghats, good charging infrastructure.
Cons: Skips Udupi entirely, longer total distance.
The 120-km stretch from Udupi to Gokarna along NH-66 is the most scenic part of the trip. The road hugs the coast for most of the way, with the Arabian Sea appearing and disappearing between coconut groves. Budget 2.5 to 3 hours for this leg, longer if you stop at Maravanthe or Murudeshwar.
Roads on this stretch are generally good but there are ongoing construction patches — expect diversions and single-lane sections near Honnavar and Kumta. The last 15 km into Gokarna are narrow and winding, especially as you drop down from the highway to the beach area.
Stop 1
01
Sakleshpur · Charmadi Ghat
180 km from Bangalore
Charmadi Ghat
The Charmadi Ghat stretch from Sakleshpur to Udupi is where the drive gets good. The road cuts through the Western Ghats with coffee plantations, misty valleys, and tight switchbacks. Stop at the Charmadi Viewpoint about 15 km into the ghat for a 180-degree view. If you need a meal before the climb, Hotel Mayura at Sakleshpur serves a solid Karnataka-style lunch.
Best time: Early morning (before 9 AM) — the ghat tends to be foggy later in the day during pre-monsoon months.
Stop 2
02
Udupi
403 km from Bangalore
Sri Krishna Temple & Malpe Beach
The Sri Krishna Temple is the obvious first stop in Udupi. The temple's distinctive silver window (Kanakana Kindi) through which devotees view the deity has been a pilgrimage draw since the 13th century. Darshan takes about 20–30 minutes. From the temple, it's a 10-minute drive to Malpe Beach — Udupi's most popular stretch of sand, clean and lined with seafood shacks. You can take a 30-minute boat ride from Malpe to St. Mary's Island, famous for its hexagonal basalt rock formations.
Practical info
Sri Krishna Temple
6 AM–9 PM, free
St. Mary's Island boat
₹300–₹500/person
Stop 3
03
Kaup Beach
15 km south of Udupi
Kaup Beach & Lighthouse
Kaup Beach with its century-old lighthouse is worth the short detour south. Climb to the top for a panoramic coast view — entry is ₹10, open 4 PM–6 PM. The beach is quieter than Malpe and better for an evening walk.
Stop 4
04
Maravanthe
60 km north of Udupi
Maravanthe — Sea meets river
About 60 km north of Udupi on NH-66, Maravanthe offers one of India's most photographed coastal views — the Arabian Sea on one side and the Souparnika River on the other. Quick 15-minute photo stop.
Stop 5
05
Murudeshwar
90 km north of Udupi
Murudeshwar Shiva Statue
Home to the world's second-tallest Shiva statue (123 ft), towering over the Arabian Sea. The temple complex includes a lift to the gopuram top for a vantage point over the coastline. Stop for 30–40 minutes. Try Bhatkal-style biryani at Kwality Restaurant if you're hungry.
Practical info
Elevator to gopuram
₹10–₹20
In Udupi
- Budget: Woodlands Residency near the temple complex — clean, central, ₹1500–₹2500/night
- Mid-range: Hotel Sriram Residency on NH-66 — modern rooms, good parking, ₹2500–₹4000/night
- Beach stay: Resorts near Malpe Beach — Palm Shores Resort, ₹5000–₹7000/night
In Gokarna
- Backpacker: Zostel Gokarna near Om Beach — dorms from ₹800, privates from ₹2500
- Mid-range: Namaste Nirvana on Om Beach — cottages with sea view, ₹3000–₹5000/night
- Peaceful: Samsara Beach Resort near Kudle Beach — quieter, ₹4000–₹7000/night
Start early. Leave Bangalore by 5 AM — this gets you past city traffic and through Charmadi Ghat before the fog sets in.
Fuel up before the ghat. Fill up in Sakleshpur or Hassan before climbing Charmadi. Fuel stations are sparse on the ghat section.
NH-75 speed enforcement. Police with handheld speed guns operate between Sakleshpur and Hassan. Stick to 80 km/h — fines are ₹1000.
NH-66 after dark. The Udupi–Gokarna stretch has poor street lighting and ongoing construction. Try to reach your destination before sunset.
Mobile network. Jio and Airtel work on all routes. BSNL is patchy on Sirsi Ghats. Download offline Google Maps for the coast stretch.
Toll cost. Bangalore–Udupi has about ₹320 in tolls (one-way). Keep FASTag topped up.
EV charging. NH-48 via Chitradurga has reliable 60 kW fast chargers. NH-75 has charging at Hassan and Sakleshpur. Plan stops if driving electric.
- Documents: Driving licence, RC, insurance, PUC certificate
- Emergency: First-aid kit, basic tool kit, tyre inflator
- Comfort: Neck pillows, eye masks for passengers
- Tech: Phone mount, car charger (USB-C + Lightning), offline maps downloaded
- Refreshments: Water bottles, snacks, a thermos of coffee
- Clothing: Light cotton, a light layer for evenings, swimwear, modest clothes for temple visits
Day one
01
Bangalore → Udupi
403 km · 7–8 hrs
Drive through Charmadi Ghat
Leave at 5 AM. Drive NH-75 through Charmadi Ghat. Reach Udupi by 1 PM. Check in, have lunch at Diana Restaurant or Woodlands. Visit Sri Krishna Temple in the late afternoon. Sunset at Malpe Beach. Dinner at Mitra Samaj for authentic Udupi thali.
Day two
02
Udupi exploration
Local driving
St. Mary's Island & Kaup Beach
Morning boat to St. Mary's Island from Malpe (9 AM departure). Return by noon. Lunch in Udupi town. Afternoon at Kaup Beach and lighthouse. Evening at Manipal's End Point viewpoint for sunset.
Day three
03
Udupi → Gokarna
120 km · 2.5 hrs
Coastal drive to Gokarna
Breakfast and drive north. Stop at Maravanthe for photos (15 min). Stop at Murudeshwar (45 min). Reach Gokarna by lunch. Visit Mahabaleshwar Temple. Afternoon on Om Beach and Kudle Beach — swim, eat at Namaste Cafe, sunset. Dinner at Prema's.
Day four
04
Gokarna → Bangalore
485 km · 9–10 hrs
Beach trek & return drive
Sunrise beach trek — cover Om, Half Moon, Paradise, and Belekan beaches. Breakfast at Ganga Cafe. Start drive back by 10 AM. Take NH-48 via Sirsi, Haveri, Davangere, Chitradurga. Stop in Davangere for benne dosa. Reach Bangalore by 7–8 PM.
Why self-drive
Your car, your coast
Stop at every Maravanthe viewpoint. Take the Charmadi Ghat detour. Leave when you want, stay where you like. A self-drive trip gives you the coast on your terms — no train schedules, no bus crowds.
Browse our fleet
Frequently asked questions
What is the distance from Bangalore to Udupi and Gokarna by road?
Bangalore to Udupi is approximately 403 km via NH-75, and Udupi to Gokarna is about 120 km along NH-66. The total one-way distance from Bangalore to Gokarna via Udupi is roughly 520 km.
Is the Bangalore to Udupi road good for self-drive?
Yes. NH-75 is well-maintained with wide highways and the Charmadi Ghat section offers good tarmac. Avoid driving the ghat after dark if you're not comfortable with narrow mountain roads.
Which is better — Udupi or Gokarna?
They're different. Udupi is a temple town with a busy beach, great food, and a relaxed family vibe. Gokarna is quieter, more backpacker-oriented, and has better beaches for swimming. Doing both in one trip is ideal.
What is the best time to visit Udupi and Gokarna?
October to March is ideal (pleasant weather, calm seas). May–June works for those who don't mind heat or early monsoon. July–September is monsoon — lush but risky for boat rides.
How many days do I need for Bangalore to Udupi and Gokarna?
A minimum of 3 days (1 day each for Udupi, Gokarna, and the drive) but 4 days gives a relaxed pace with time for St. Mary's Island and the Gokarna beach trek.