NH 66 in Karnataka, roughly 320-kilometre coastal stretch, begins near Karwar at the Goa border and ends at Talapady before Mangaluru hands you off to Kerala.

Along the way, fishing villages slip into temple towns, rivers cut across the road, and the sea never leaves your rear-view mirror.

The best time to attempt it is between October and February, when the skies are clear, the sea is calm, and the coastal heat hasn't yet turned punishing.

Here's how the drive moves.

Karwar

Karnataka picks up right after Goa ends, less crowded cousin of its neighbour. Karwar is a port town for people who like their beaches with a side of seafood and afternoons filled with snorkelling or kayaking.

Devbagh Beach, Tagore Beach, Kurumgad Island, and the hilltop Sadashivgad Fort are all worth the detour.

Gokarna

About 20 kilometres off the highway, Gokarna rewards the small detour many times over. It's known for laid-back beaches perfect for shaking off driving fatigue, plus enough trekking and water sports to fill a full day.

Om Beach, Kudle Beach, and Paradise Beach cover the sand-and-sea side of things, while the Mahabaleshwar Temple and Mirjan Fort add some history to the mix.

Honnavar

Most road-trippers drive straight past Honnavar on their way to Gokarna or Goa, which is exactly why it's worth stopping. Right on the route, it offers backwaters, mangroves, and quiet temples without the crowds.

Look out for Apsarakonda village, the Kasarkod Eco Beach, Idagunji Temple, the Mangrove Boardwalk, the Sharavathi River, and the Nathgeri Hanging Bridge.

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Murudeshwar

You don't need directions for this one, the world's second-tallest Shiva statue and a 20-storey Gopuram are visible well before you arrive.

If you have time to spare, Netrani Island nearby is worth it for scuba diving.

Bhatkal, Baindur, and Maravanthe Beach

This middle section of NH 66 is where the drive turns cinematic. Bhatkal and Baindur bring a cluster of temples and mosques, but the real showstopper is Maravanthe Beach, where the highway runs with the Arabian Sea on one side and the Souparnika River on the other.

Jali Beach in Bhatkal and the Ottinene Sunset Point and Kosalli Falls in Baindur round out the area.

Udupi

About 12 kilometres off the highway, Udupi is famous for its vegetarian food, beaches and the historic Sri Krishna Matha temple.

Malpe Beach and Kaup Beach, the latter known for its old lighthouse, are both uncrowded and easy to spend a few hours at.

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Mangaluru

As the highway nears its end, a few last detours are worth the six-kilometre drive off route. Mulki for surfing lessons, Surathkal and Sasihitlu beaches for quieter shores, and the Bappanadu Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple.

Mangaluru itself, about 40 kilometres off the highway, makes for a fitting finale, Panambur Beach, Tannirbhavi, Kadri Manjunath Temple, Sultan Battery, and Pilikula Nisargadhama.

By the time you roll into Mangaluru, you've covered beaches, backwaters, temples, and a fair amount of good food proof that sometimes the destination matters less than everything you stopped for along the way.