Pondicherry-Calicut Route Query

Rajeevraj · 23rd July 2012, 13:17

Hi All,
What would be the best route from Pondicherry to Calicut. Google Maps shows me the following options (high level)

1. Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet- Salem -Cbe-Palakkad-Kozhikode
2. Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet--Perambalur-Karur-Dharapuram-Pollachi- Palakkad-Kozhikode
3. Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulundurpet-Perambalur-Karur-Kangayam-Palladam-Cbe-Palakkad-Kozhikode

This trip would be the weekend after Onam. So considering the Walayar block issues, option 2 looks better. But I have no idea on these routes or the conditions.

Another constraint is that a single person would drive the whole distance and the start time will be only mid morning. So one option we were thinking is to stop over in Cbe. But with route 2 that will not be possible.

The start is from Bangalore and 2 families would return to Bangalore. So coming back to Bangalore and going to Calicut the next day is also an option. Does that make more sense?

Any inputs/suggestions are welcome.

ampere · 23rd July 2012, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

1. Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet- Salem -Cbe-Palakkad-Kozhikode
2. Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet--Perambalur-Karur-Dharapuram-Pollachi- Palakkad-Kozhikode

A combination of 1 and 2.

Pondi-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet- Salem-Perundurai-Kangeyam-Palladam-Pollachi-Palakkad-Malappuram-Calicut.

This gives you :
- 4-lane from Villupuram to Perundaurai
- Fantastic roads from Perundurai till Palakkad
- Very good options for food break.

- Palakkad to Calicut is the standard NH213.

Rajeevraj · 23rd July 2012, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

A combination of 1 and 2.

Pondi-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet- Salem-Perundurai-Kangeyam-Palladam-Pollachi-Palakkad-Malappuram-Calicut.

Thanks for the info. How much will be the approximate driving time from Pondi to Palakkad considering a mid morning start?

shekaran · 23rd July 2012, 14:52

Route 1 is the best - mostly 4 laned, from villupuram till cbe, food joints in between, lots of good fuel stations, also for relaxed driving.

yes, if you start after breakfast, you can reach cbe for lunch, salem outer for evening tea/snacks and reach pondy for dinner. cbe to pondy takes approx. 7.5 hours driving without any pitstops.

after you cross villupuram, beware of local buses that run as though their tails are on fire...

ampere · 23rd July 2012, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Thanks for the info. How much will be the approximate driving time from Pondi to Palakkad considering a mid morning start?

Its about 450km to Palakkad and very good roads. Only deterrent is time taken to cross Pollachi. If you start by 6AM and assuming an average of 60kmph, you should be there by 3PM max (including breaks).

narayans80 · 23rd July 2012, 18:45

Why wouldn't Pondy-Ulundurpet-Salem-Sathy-Chamrajnagar-Calicut work ? It would avoid Palakkad or anywhere close to Walayar alltogether.

ampere · 23rd July 2012, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by narayans80

Why wouldn't Pondy-Ulundurpet-Salem-Sathy-Chamrajnagar-Calicut work ? It would avoid Palakkad or anywhere close to Walayar alltogether.

I thought of suggesting that. But then we do two sections of ghats.
Thought that would delay the drive. Hence did not suggest.

Rajeevraj · 24th July 2012, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by narayans80

Why wouldn't Pondy-Ulundurpet-Salem-Sathy-Chamrajnagar-Calicut work ? It would avoid Palakkad or anywhere close to Walayar alltogether.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

I thought of suggesting that. But then we do two sections of ghats.
Thought that would delay the drive. Hence did not suggest.

An interesting option. I assume that will be a good drive. And Charmrajnagar-Calicut is familiar roads due to frequent trips between Bangalore-Calicut. Issue is that the start is expected to be around 10am which means both ghats and forest sections will have to be tackled late evening/night. Also, in case there is some delay on the way, there is a risk of missing the 9pm cut-off to cross Bandipur.

Anyway, will keep this option also in mind

narayans80 · 24th July 2012, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

start is expected to be around 10am which means both ghats and forest sections will have to be tackled late evening/night.

You should be able to make it Sathy by 3. Till Athur it will be a fast drive, then might slow to Salem, again runway till Bhavani. Beyond that am not much aware, but reading BLR-CBE thread, Dimbam good seems to be in good condition. You should be able to make it before 9pm easily IMO.

Rajeevraj · 28th August 2012, 09:45

An update on this.

The start can happen only around 11am. And a single person driving. There are some friends to visit also at CBE. So we are thinking to halt at Coimbatore some point and resume the next day to avoid night driving. . So I guess then the route should be

Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet- Salem -Cbe-Palakkad-Kozhikode

Any thoughts?

23rd July 2012, 13:17	#1
Rajeevraj Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,607 Thanked: 17,685 Times	Pondicherry-Calicut Route Query Hi All, What would be the best route from Pondicherry to Calicut. Google Maps shows me the following options (high level) 1. Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet- Salem -Cbe-Palakkad-Kozhikode 2. Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet--Perambalur-Karur-Dharapuram-Pollachi- Palakkad-Kozhikode 3. Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulundurpet-Perambalur-Karur-Kangayam-Palladam-Cbe-Palakkad-Kozhikode This trip would be the weekend after Onam. So considering the Walayar block issues, option 2 looks better. But I have no idea on these routes or the conditions. Another constraint is that a single person would drive the whole distance and the start time will be only mid morning. So one option we were thinking is to stop over in Cbe. But with route 2 that will not be possible. The start is from Bangalore and 2 families would return to Bangalore. So coming back to Bangalore and going to Calicut the next day is also an option. Does that make more sense? Any inputs/suggestions are welcome.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2012, 14:52	#4
shekaran BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Puducherry Posts: 245 Thanked: 77 Times View My Garage	Re: Pondicherry-Calicut Route Query Route 1 is the best - mostly 4 laned, from villupuram till cbe, food joints in between, lots of good fuel stations, also for relaxed driving. yes, if you start after breakfast, you can reach cbe for lunch, salem outer for evening tea/snacks and reach pondy for dinner. cbe to pondy takes approx. 7.5 hours driving without any pitstops. after you cross villupuram, beware of local buses that run as though their tails are on fire...
	() Thanks

23rd July 2012, 18:45	#6
narayans80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Madras Posts: 3,114 Thanked: 4,527 Times	Re: Pondicherry-Calicut Route Query Why wouldn't Pondy-Ulundurpet-Salem-Sathy-Chamrajnagar-Calicut work ? It would avoid Palakkad or anywhere close to Walayar alltogether.
	() Thanks

28th August 2012, 09:45	#10
Rajeevraj Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,607 Thanked: 17,685 Times	Re: Pondicherry-Calicut Route Query An update on this. The start can happen only around 11am. And a single person driving. There are some friends to visit also at CBE. So we are thinking to halt at Coimbatore some point and resume the next day to avoid night driving. . So I guess then the route should be Pondicherry-Villupuram-Ulurdurpet- Salem -Cbe-Palakkad-Kozhikode Any thoughts?
	() Thanks