Planning to Drive from Pune to Bangalore? Check Out a Better Route Than the Traditional Kolhapur-Belgaum-Hubli Route

While planning a road trip from Pune to Bangalore (or Tumkur), most travellers opt for the route via Kolhapur, Belgaum and Hubli, which is part of NH48. However, there is an alternate route via Solapur, Vijayapura and Hospet, which has better roads and less traffic. Anant Iyer, who did this trip in October 2024, shares his experience and compares both the routes.

Tumkur is located at about 71 Km from Bangalore and since the experienced shared by the traveler is till Tumkur or Tumakuru, and use it to get the idea of the alternative route throughout.

The Route Taken

Anant’s journey was from Pune to Tumkur (near Bangalore), a distance of about 800 km. The route he took was:

Pune → Solapur → Vijayapura (Bijapur) → Hospet → Chitradurga → Tumkur

He left Pune at 5:15 am and reached their hotel (Sadanand Hotel) in Tumkur at 4:00 pm. The journey was comfortable and time-bound.

Road Conditions and Experience

Pune to Solapur: The roads from Pune to Solapur are in very good condition, making the journey easy and comfortable. The Solapur city bypass is particularly beneficial as it saves time by avoiding traffic. If you want a faster and less stressful journey, this section is especially beneficial.

Solapur to Vijayapura: The roads are in good condition in this section too and the journey remains comfortable. Anant suggests that it is better to refuel in Vijayapura, as the number of fuel stations till Hospet is very less.

Vijayapura to Hospet: The roads are smooth in this section, but speed breakers and rumble strips are frequent here. The road conditions are still good, but this section can be a bit rough. Also, there is a lack of good restaurants here, so planning for food and rest in advance is a must.

Hospet to Chitradurga: This section features the best route of travel, with smooth, wide roads and no speed breakers. This section offers a great driving experience.

Chitradurga to Tumkur: The last section is also very good, with good roads. There are some small diversions due to flyover construction, but these are not too bothersome.

Comparison of Solapur Route to the Kolhapur-Belgaum-Hubli Route

Anant’s experience makes it clear that the route via Solapur, Vijayapura and Hospet proved to be a much better choice. While the NH48 (Kolhapur-Belgaum-Hubli) route is more well-known, it is still undergoing construction work, leading to rough roads and traffic jams, which can make the journey a hassle.

On the other hand, the Solapur route has several advantages:

Better roads: Most of the roads on the Solapur route are in very good condition, making the journey comfortable and faster.
Fewer jams: Solapur bypass and less traffic save time.
Fuel and food facilities: Services are limited between Vijayapura and Hospet, but overall the roads are good and the journey is less hassle.

ALSO READ | Planning a Road Trip? Don’t Leave Without This Essential Road Trip Checklist for a Perfect Journey!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Solapur Route

Advantages:

• Good and smooth roads all along the route.
• The Solapur city bypass helps save time and avoids traffic.
• There are fewer diversions and road construction work as compared to the NH48 route.
• The journey is comfortable and less hassle.

Disadvantages:

• Limited fuel stations between Vijayapura and Hospet; refuelling needs to be planned in advance.
• There is a dearth of restaurants between Vijayapura and Hospet, so planning for meals in advance is a must.
• The Solapur route may be a little longer, but the better roads make up for the time.

Conclusion

The Solapur route proves to be a better option than the usual Kolhapur-Belgaum-Hubli route, especially for travellers travelling from Pune to Bangalore (or Tumkur). The roads are better, there are fewer obstructions, and the journey is more comfortable. However, fuel and food must be planned in advance, especially where services are limited.