Bangalore to Udupi & Manipal Road Trip Guide: Route, Stops & Itinerary
Udupi and neighbouring Manipal combine an important pilgrimage temple, celebrated coastal cuisine and easy beach access, all on one well-travelled highway from Bengaluru.
How to reach Udupi & Manipal from Bengaluru by road
Main route via NH75 (Hassan–Sakleshpur)
Bengaluru → Hassan → Sakleshpur → Shiradi Ghat → Bantwal → Udupi runs largely on NH75, one of the most used highways connecting Bengaluru to the coast. The Shiradi Ghat section through the Western Ghats is scenic but has stretches of tight curves, so it is worth driving in daylight.
Alternative via Charmadi Ghat
A less-used alternative branches off near Belur toward Charmadi Ghat before rejoining the coastal highway near Mangaluru. It is quieter but adds distance and is better suited to travellers who prefer avoiding the busier Shiradi Ghat traffic.
Combining with Mangalore or Dharmasthala
Udupi is close enough to Mangaluru and Dharmasthala that many trips combine two of these coastal and temple stops on the same itinerary, using the NH75 corridor as the common backbone.
Distance and drive time to Udupi & Manipal
| Particular | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance (one way) | About 415 km from central Bengaluru |
| Drive time | 8–8.5 hours |
| Suggested trip length | 2 days |
Distance (one way)
- Detail
- About 415 km from central Bengaluru
Drive time
- Detail
- 8–8.5 hours
Suggested trip length
- Detail
- 2 days
Start from Bengaluru by 5–6 am to reach Udupi with comfortable daylight hours for the Shiradi Ghat stretch. The route to Hassan is straightforward highway; from Sakleshpur onward, the ghat section has narrower lanes and occasional truck traffic, so allow extra time rather than rushing. Fuel up around Hassan or Sakleshpur before the ghat.
Shiradi Ghat is best avoided after dark, particularly in the monsoon when landslide-prone patches can appear; check recent road conditions if travelling in the rainy season. Keep water, snacks and a light meal on hand for the ghat stretch, where stopping options are limited, and drive at a measured pace through the curves.
Best time to visit Udupi & Manipal
October to March brings dry weather and clearer visibility through Shiradi Ghat, along with calmer seas at Malpe and Kaup beaches. This is also the most popular season for temple visits, so plan accommodation in advance for weekends and festival periods around the Krishna Temple.
The monsoon (June–September) makes Shiradi Ghat more challenging to drive with heavier rain and occasional landslide risk, and the sea becomes unsuitable for swimming. Summer (April–May) is warm and humid on the coast, so early mornings or evenings work better for beach visits than midday.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Feb | Best: dry ghat roads, calm sea |
| Summer | Mar–May | Warm, humid; beach visits early/late |
| Monsoon | Jun–Sep | Ghat driving needs caution; rough sea |
Winter
- Months
- Oct–Feb
- What to expect
- Best: dry ghat roads, calm sea
Summer
- Months
- Mar–May
- What to expect
- Warm, humid; beach visits early/late
Monsoon
- Months
- Jun–Sep
- What to expect
- Ghat driving needs caution; rough sea
Places to stop on the way to Udupi & Manipal
Hassan
A good breakfast or fuel stop before the ghat stretch begins, with several highway eateries along the way.
Sakleshpur
The last major town before entering Shiradi Ghat, worth a short break to stretch and check the vehicle before the winding descent.
Shiradi Ghat viewpoints
Several pull-offs along this Western Ghats stretch offer views over forested valleys, though stopping should be limited to designated safe spots.
Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi
The centrepiece of the trip — a centuries-old Krishna temple known for its unique window-darshan tradition and lively temple square.
Malpe Beach
A popular beach a short drive from Udupi town, known for its long shoreline and boat rides to nearby St. Mary’s Island (weather permitting).
Suggested Udupi & Manipal itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Bengaluru to Udupi
Leave early via Hassan and Sakleshpur, taking a breakfast break in Hassan before the ghat stretch. Drive carefully through Shiradi Ghat and continue to Udupi, arriving by evening. Visit the Krishna Temple for evening darshan and try the local Udupi cuisine for dinner.
- 2
Day 2 — Manipal, beaches and return
Spend the morning exploring Manipal’s campus town and its museums, then head to Malpe or Kaup beach for a relaxed few hours. Begin the drive back to Bengaluru by early afternoon via the same NH75 route, aiming to reach home by night, or plan an overnight break if travelling with elders or young children.
- 3
Optional extension — Mangalore or Dharmasthala
Since Mangaluru is close by and Dharmasthala sits on the way back via Sakleshpur, an extra day lets you combine either into the same trip without a major detour.
What a Udupi & Manipal trip from Bengaluru costs by vehicle
Estimates below are for a 2-day round trip of about 415 km each way plus roughly 25 km a day of local sightseeing, using our current per-km rates and daily minimums, with driver bata included. They are a planning guide, not a quote.
| Vehicle | Seats | Rate | Billable km | Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios) | Up to 4 | ₹13/km (min 250 km/day) | 880 km | ≈ ₹12,100 |
| MUV (Ertiga) | Up to 6 | ₹18/km (min 250 km/day) | 880 km | ≈ ₹16,500 |
| SUV (Innova Crysta) | Up to 6 | ₹20/km (min 300 km/day) | 880 km | ≈ ₹18,300 |
| Tempo Traveller (12 seats) | Up to 12 | ₹26/km (min 300 km/day) | 880 km | ≈ ₹23,900 |
Sedan (Swift Dzire / Etios)
- Seats
- Up to 4
- Rate
- ₹13/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 880 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹12,100
MUV (Ertiga)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹18/km (min 250 km/day)
- Billable km
- 880 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹16,500
SUV (Innova Crysta)
- Seats
- Up to 6
- Rate
- ₹20/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 880 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹18,300
Tempo Traveller (12 seats)
- Seats
- Up to 12
- Rate
- ₹26/km (min 300 km/day)
- Billable km
- 880 km
- Estimate
- ≈ ₹23,900
Tolls, parking, interstate permits (where applicable) and GST are extra at actuals. Your exact fare depends on pickup point, dates, stops and the final kilometres — ask us for an exact quote before you travel.
Travel tips for a Udupi & Manipal road trip
- A sedan suits couples or small families; larger groups will find an Ertiga or Innova Crysta more comfortable through the ghat sections.
- Carry motion-sickness medication for Shiradi Ghat, which has continuous curves for a fair stretch.
- Dress modestly at the Krishna Temple; footwear must be removed before entering the temple square.
- Keep FASTag topped up for NH75 tolls, with some cash as backup.
- Expect brief network dead zones within Shiradi Ghat.
- Book stays ahead for weekends and around major Udupi temple festivals.
- Carry a light jacket for early-morning ghat sections even outside winter.
- If combining with Mangalore or Dharmasthala, plan the extra stop before finalising your return route to avoid backtracking.
Ready to go? Book your Udupi & Manipal ride
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