Cochin to Chennai

[sudheermenon]

Hi,

I am planning a trip from Cochin to Chennai in my Santro. Can anybody suggest on which route I should take?

1. How is the Salem->Ulundurpet route? I had a trip to pondy last september and this stretch was a hell. How is it now? Any idea

2. How about the Bhavani->Mettur->Thoppur->Krishnagiri route?

Any other information and suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance

Sudheer

[hvkumar]

I have not heard of any improvement in the Ulundurpet route. The Krishnagiri route is in great form and I think that is the bets route to take.

[rjstyles69]

@Sudheermenon , this is the route I did in the month of Jan.

Cochin-Trichur-Palakkad-Walayar-Coimbatore-Avinasi - Bhavani -Salem/Mettur-Thoppur- Dharmapuri- Krishnagiri- Hosur-Bangalore

Roads are pretty good all through and only a couple of bad patches between Mettur and Dharmpuri but not a serious concern.
Are you driving via Bangalore to Mumbai?

[sreedotk]

The Bhavani Mettur route is better. There are a few patches which are bad but overall it is a much better route.

Ps. The route will be overflowing with Mango vendors

[esteem_lover]

rjstyles69, he is driving to chennai not mumbai. your route is right till krishnagiri. from there he should come to ambur-vellore-kanchipuram-chennai.

[speedzak]

Is it necessary to go to Kanchipuram?? From Vellore, can't he just go directly to Sriperumbudur and proceed to Chennai?

I think RjStyleman was just explaining his route till Krishnagiri.

From Krishnagiri, the GQ starts and it's all good till Chennai. 4Lanes of happy driving!! and sometimes 6 and 8!!!

[rjstyles69]

Zak and e_l my bad, but swalpa adjust maadi . I typed in the route I did on my recent trip to Cochin. Bombay did I mention that? LOL I was reading the mumbai speedrun experiences thread and posted here, sorry folks .
@ sudheepmenon deviate from Krishnagiri and enjoy the rest of the drive like Zak mentioned.
Happy and safe driving sudheepmenon.

[akroy]

Last weekend went to Sulur....

Passed Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani in the night....i was cruising at 120kmph....excellent road....I missed the bypass and went through mettur dam and the ghat road....

While coming from bhavani, u will encounter a 4 road circle, there is no signages and that area is in construction mode...right is the Mettur bypass and will lead u to the SH (near an Aluminium plant)...

Abhi

[sudheermenon]

Thanks guys. So here the route that I am going to take.

Cochin-Trichur-Palakkad-Walayar-Coimbatore-Bhavani-Mettur-Thoppur-Dharmapuri-Krishnagiri-Vaniambadi-Ambur-Vellore-Ranipettai-Kanchipuram-Sriperumbudur-Chennai

Any idea on the # of Kms?

[esteem_lover]

ambur-vellore-kanchipuram....no ranipet

@speedzak... kanchipuram bye pass, not the town.

[mail4ajo]

Don't even dream about Salem for a long time. I took a to and fro trip in December - January. Metter bypass is the best. Ocassionally you might get a small pothole, Else, its a breeze. Saves a few kms too. Call us when you are in chennai.

[sudheermenon]

@esteem_lover...So is there any other road from Vellore to Kanchipuram? I was planning to take the NH46.

Also, my destination in chennai is Nandanam. Can you tell me how to get to Nandanam after I enter Chennai?

@mail4Ajo..Definitely I will call you..Can I have your num?

[esteem_lover]

No , there is no other road, except for the highway, only that ranipet does not come in this road. Ranipet is a diversion from this NH. Reach Koyambedu signal, take a right turn & proceed straight. After about 3 Kms, you will reach vadapalani signal (there are a few signals in between). Just keep going straight, you will reach Ashok Nagar (Pillar). Take a right & immediate left & proceed straight. After another 4 -5 Kms, you will reach Guindy kathipara junction where a multi grade separator is under construction. Take a left here & keep going straight for another 4-5 Kms until you reach nandanam. I will try to give you a much clearer picture. Where in nandanam do you have to go ?

[n_aditya]

when are u planning on coming to chennai?

If you are here this weekend, dont miss the trackday.

[sudheermenon]

Thanks @esteem_lover. You are providing very useful info that will really help me in Chennai.

Well, I have to reach a place called CIT nagar near the nandi statue in nandanam

Thanks again