If you own a car or bike, you are likely to get tempted to drive or ride down to a distant destination, but you have doubts as to how long does it take? Am I able to endure the feat? What if any breakdown should occur? These are the questions running back of every adventure explorer. Well I will answer most of these based on my experiences as a regular traveler over the past 15 years.
Helpful Instructions
Wear your seatbelt And insist that the passengers wear theirs too! pad the kids with pillows.
Check yours and the vehicle fitness before travel.
Start early By starting at 5.30am or, you avoid the worst of the traffic and get to the Thane Creek bridge in a few minutes. The new flyovers make it possible to reach Panvel within an hour. Early morning traffic in Panvel is light but be careful in the city where people have a habit of suddenly jumping out of and in front of slow-moving buses.
I personally prefer to leave late evening as it is cool at night moreover the fellow passengers and other pests do not disturb you while driving as they keep asking where are we and when do we reach. - NH17 is a two-laner Exercise caution while overtaking. On the ghat sections use your horn generously around the corners.
Slow down before a forked road, you need to read the directions for the correct diversion. - Don’t fight exhaustion. Take refreshment stops when you feel drained. Park the vehicle at a safe place preferably near a small town or village(there are many along the way) and take a break .
Check your headlights, the Hi and Low beam adjustments you should’t be watching trees at night, see that you do not blind the oncoming driver else it mat be dangerous for both.
- NO need for speed the journey will take you 11-12 hrs and 14hrs depending on the breaks you take. Many speed-kings I have witnessed have made it in 10 hours you don’t need to break their record, please inform me before attempting the feat!. Refrain from racing, never get provoked.
- Check brake oil and temp gauge(for coolant/water) during your breaks.
- Do not drink and drive – you are allowed to park the vehicle and get drunk only after you reach your destination!
- Keep your eyes on the road and you hands upon the wheel. Most accidents are caused by driver errors, and its surprising how many people actually fall asleep at the wheel. Even a moment’s lapse of concentration can lead to disaster so don’t take chances.