The short answer: if you're driving south from Mumbai or Pune on NH48 (the Pune–Bengaluru highway) towards Satara, Kolhapur, Goa or Bengaluru, a first-night stop just south of Pune at Shirwal (about 180 km from Mumbai and 58 km from Pune) is a smart way to break the trip. You clear the expressway and Pune traffic on day one, sleep before the Khambatki ghat, and start the long southern leg fresh the next morning. Avior Resorts sits on Wadgaon Lake in Shirwal, a short turn off the highway.
Distances and times below are approximate and depend on traffic, road works and rest stops. Always check current road conditions before setting out.
Why break the journey at all?
The drive from Mumbai to Bengaluru is close to 1,000 km. Even Mumbai to Goa via Kolhapur is a long day. Splitting the trip has clear benefits:
- Safer driving. Fatigue is a major risk on long highway drives, especially after dark.
- No night ghats. You tackle the Khambatki ghat and the hills beyond in daylight.
- Easier with family. Children and older passengers handle two medium days far better than one very long one.
- It becomes part of the holiday, not just a commute.
Approximate distances along NH48 from Shirwal
| From Shirwal to | Approx. distance | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Pune (central) | 58 km | 1 hr 15 min |
| Mumbai | 180 km | 3.5–4 hrs |
| Satara | 55 km | 1 hr |
| Karad | 105 km | 1 hr 45 min |
| Kolhapur | 175 km | 3–3.5 hrs |
| Belagavi | 280 km | 5 hrs |
| Goa (via Kolhapur/Amboli or Belagavi) | 380–420 km | 7–8 hrs |
| Bengaluru | 780–800 km | 13–15 hrs |
Sample road-trip plans
Mumbai → Goa (via Kolhapur), two days
- Day 1: Leave Mumbai at 11 am after the morning rush. Expressway to Pune, bypass, then NH48 south. Reach Shirwal by about 3:30 pm. Pool, sunset by the lake, dinner.
- Day 2: Breakfast at 7:30 am, on the road by 8:30 am. Kolhapur by lunch, then down to Goa by evening.
Mumbai → Bengaluru, three days
- Day 1: Mumbai → Shirwal (about 180 km). An easy half-day.
- Day 2: Shirwal → Hubballi–Dharwad area (roughly 400 km).
- Day 3: On to Bengaluru.
Pune → Kolhapur, a relaxed weekend
- Day 1: Leave Pune mid-afternoon, check in at Shirwal by 4 pm, and spend the evening by the lake.
- Day 2: Drive to Kolhapur after breakfast for the Mahalaxmi temple and lunch.
Heading back north
The same logic works on the way home. Stop in Shirwal on the last night, and you'll face only 75 minutes to Pune or 3.5–4 hours to Mumbai on the final morning, instead of a full day's drive straight through.
What to look for in a highway overnight stop
- Easy access from the highway, but not right on it. Truck noise ruins sleep.
- Secure parking within sight of your room or at a guarded lot.
- Dinner and breakfast on site, so you don't have to drive again after checking in.
- A flexible check-in time if you're arriving earlier or later than planned.
- Somewhere to stretch, like a lawn, pool or short walk, after hours in the car.
Avior has free parking, an on-site restaurant, a pool and lawns by the water, and stays include a welcome drink, dinner and breakfast. Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out at 11 am; ask us about early check-in for road-trippers.
Road tips for NH48 south of Pune
- Katraj and Khed Shivapur: expect slow traffic at the toll plaza on Friday evenings and holiday weekends. Leave Pune before 3 pm or after 8 pm on Fridays.
- Khambatki ghat (south of Shirwal): a short ghat section with heavy trucks. Drive it in daylight and keep to your lane.
- Fog: in December and January, early-morning fog is possible in low-lying stretches. Start after sunrise.
- Fuel and FASTag: keep your FASTag topped up; there are several toll plazas on this route.
- Monsoon: from June to September, expect heavy rain and slower speeds. Our monsoon drive guide for NH48 covers rain-driving tips.
Make a detour worth it
If you have half a day to spare, short detours from Shirwal include:
- Wai and Menavali: temple ghats on the Krishna river, about 40–45 minutes away. See our Wai day-trip guide.
- Satara forts: Ajinkyatara and Sajjangad. See places to visit near Satara in winter.
- Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar: up the ghat from Wai. See our Pune to Mahabaleshwar road trip.
Packing list for a long NH48 road trip
- Driving licence, RC, insurance and PUC documents (originals or valid digital copies).
- A topped-up FASTag and some cash for small purchases.
- A phone mount, charger and offline maps.
- Water, fruit and snacks for the car.
- A basic first-aid kit and any regular medicines.
- A torch, a reflective triangle and the spare-tyre tools.
- Sunglasses for the low winter sun, and a light jacket for early starts.
Driving with children or pets
- Plan stops every 90 minutes for a stretch and a washroom.
- Pack an activity bag for children: books, games, headphones.
- Use child seats where possible.
- Pets: check the pet policy at every overnight stop in advance; many hotels and resorts have restrictions.
Choosing day-one distance
A common mistake on long road trips is driving as far as possible on day one, then arriving exhausted. A better rule of thumb:
- Day one: a short leg (3–4 hours) that clears city traffic and the expressway.
- Day two: the long leg (6–8 hours) after a full night's rest and an early breakfast.
- Final day: a medium leg that gets you to your destination by mid-afternoon.
From Mumbai, Shirwal fits day one perfectly: about 180 km and 3.5–4 hours, depending on the expressway and Pune bypass traffic.
Electric vehicles on NH48
If you're driving an EV, plan charging stops before you set out using your car's app or a charging-network app, and check whether your overnight stop can offer a socket or a charger. Ask the property in advance; don't assume.
What a good overnight stop feels like
The best highway stops don't feel like highway stops. After a long drive, it makes a real difference to:
- Park once and not touch the car again until morning.
- Take a swim or a walk by the water to loosen up.
- Eat a proper, hot dinner without driving to find it.
- Sleep in a quiet room away from truck noise.
- Have breakfast ready early enough for a 7:30–8 am start.
That's what we aim for at Avior: a calm night by Wadgaon Lake a short turn off NH48, so the next day's drive starts well.
Book a one-night stop at Avior Resorts
Driving south? Message us your arrival time and we'll have your room ready, with dinner by the lake and breakfast before an early start.
- Call: +91 72619 62666
- WhatsApp: +91 72619 63666
- See rooms: rooms page · Enquire: contact page
Coming from Mumbai for a full weekend instead? See our weekend getaway from Mumbai page.