A coastal road trip is less about rushing from point A to point B and more about combining temple towns, beaches, sea views and unplanned food stops.

Udupi

Begin with Sri Krishna Matha and add nearby coastal time based on your schedule.

Murudeshwar

The dramatic temple complex beside the Arabian Sea makes this one of the most recognisable stops on the north-coastal route.

Gokarna

Finish with a slower combination of temple-town atmosphere and beach scenery.

Travel tip

For a multi-stop trip, private transport is useful because hotel check-ins, temple visits and beach stops rarely fit neatly into a fixed bus timetable.