Inland from the creek
Pen sits on a creek close to the coast, and the road to Pune heads inland across paddy fields and past small villages towards Khopoli, an industrial town at the foot of the Sahyadri. From there, the truck takes the expressway or the old highway up the Bhor ghat. The climb is the slowest part of the trip; the plateau beyond is quick.
The Bhor ghat
The ghat between Khopoli and Lonavala is steep and busy, and loaded trucks crawl up in low gear. Accidents and repairs can hold traffic, and in the monsoon, fog and rain slow it further. Ask your mover to allow for it and to tie the load firmly.
Leaving Pen
Old-town lanes near the bazaar may need a short carry to the truck. Avoid the idol-dispatch weeks before Ganeshotsav, when trucks and crowds fill the town.
Where in Pune
Pimpri-Chinchwad, Wakad, Hinjewadi, Baner and Aundh are closest to where the expressway arrives. The central and eastern parts of the city take longer. Give the exact address, the tower and a landmark.
Pune townships
Many Pune homes are in gated townships that want notice to the facility office, a gate pass and moving within fixed hours. Our guide to society NOCs and lift bookings explains what to ask for.
Steel to software
Some moves on this route are people leaving jobs in Raigad's steel and chemical plants for Pune's IT parks and engineering companies, or students heading to Pune's colleges. If an employer is paying, ask what documents they need; every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Weather
Raigad is humid and very wet in the monsoon, while Pune is cooler and drier. Between June and September, ask for waterproof wrapping and keep a buffer day.
October to February usually suits this route best.
Ganeshotsav at both ends
Pen makes the idols and Pune celebrates on a huge scale, so the festival weeks are the hardest time for this move. Navratri and Diwali are busy too.
Students
A student moving to a Pune college usually needs a few-items move. Check the hostel's or PG's dates first.
Packing for the climb
Ask for furniture to be tied firmly, crockery in dish packs and electronics in double cartons. Keep documents and medicines with you.
Two-wheelers
A scooter or motorcycle can usually travel in the same truck if it is wrapped, photographed and listed separately. Our bike transport service page explains the options.
Khopoli
Khopoli, at the foot of the ghat, is an industrial town with its own housing. If your move ends there or in Khalapur, give the exact address.
Weekend traffic
On weekends, traffic from Mumbai and Pune heading to the Konkan coast crowds the roads around Pen and Khopoli. A weekday move is quicker.
Settling in
In Pune, register with your society office, ask about water supply and tanker timings, and book internet as soon as you have the address. Our guide to address changes after moving lists the official records to update.