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-   -   Bangalore - Pondicherry : Route Queries (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/19838-bangalore-pondicherry-route-queries-111.html)

Last weekend completed a Bangalore Pondicherry round trip.
Route used was Hoskote - Mulbagal - Arcot - Cheyyar - Tindivanam - Pondicherry. I returned via same route, with a quick detour to visit Vellore Institute of Technology (my wife's alma mater) during the return trip. Both times, we had lunch at A2B Arcot.

Road condition is good, but there were stretches of single lane roads - while returning it was a pain overtaking the slow moving long trailers.

Since we started at 5 AM from Bangalore, I faced dense around 6 AM, for almost 30-40 minutes.

Thanks to everyone for the very useful updates on this thread that helped me plan my trip.

Any recommended pit stops on the Ranipet - Chitoor -Kolar stretch. Planning to drive this route on 29th Jan.
Also is this the route to take from Ranipet to Chitoor?

Near Kolar, you have Woodys. Slightly beyond Woodys, you have Vasudev Adigas on your right.

Aware of that. Was asking for any pit stop near Mulbagal/Palamner. Found Sri Shanthi Sagar on maps and reviews on google also looks positive. Might just give it a try.

Hardly any good options on Ranipet-Chittoor stretch. When you join the Bangalore-Tirupati road at Chittoor and turn left towards Bangalore, almost immediately there is a coffee day outlet on left and on right side you can see Hotel Bans which is also decent (this is at the beginning of Chittoor bypass towards Tirupati).
Also, at Chittoor if you turn right and go towards the town there is a good hotel and not very far (forget the name, but it is mentioned in one of the threads, probably the Tirupati one).
And, near Vasudev Adigas, Kolar there is also a food court now (there was a recent TBHP drive planned there but later destination changed).
*The A2B at Arcot is also good.

Bans as you said is on the Thirupathi side of the bypass. Another place to look for is MGM Grand which is between Ranipet and Chitoor. Its just after Ranipet exit.

We did not stop at all en-route , but you have a couple of joints on the
right side , after the Chittoor bye-pass.
My advice would be to stop at Woody's , ( on the left) nearing Kolar , which
is a decent place for a pit stop.

And yes, the route is what you have shown

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Folks,

I am driving Bangalore to Mahabalipuram via Kancheepuram on 26th Jan with 5am start. Any idea on the toll booth congestion (I have Fastag) on Hosur-Vellore stretch, being a long weekend? The alternative can be to take Bangalore-Chittor-Vellore route. Any inputs/pointers are appreciated.

Mate I too driving back to Bangalore on the same date from Pondy. I am planning start @8.30AM. If you are ok we can drive together.

Even though you have FASTag, don't expect anything better in a long weekend. Its going to be crowded and chaotic and expect long queues.

Bangalore-Mulbagal-Chittoor route is comparitively better in terms of toll crowd but it is slower compared to Hosur route. But you can give a try because you are avoiding all the traffic going towards south of TN/Salem and beyond.

-Ravi

A friend of mine drove via Chittor during the last long weekend in Dec and he said it is no better than the usual route via Krishnagiri as a lot of folks from Chennai take this route to get back to Bangalore. Hence I am still on the fence about the route to take. I might just end up checking traffic when I am near Bargur and decide to stick to the usual Hosur route or take Krishnagiri - Rayakottai - Kelamangalam - Attible to bypass both Krishnagiri & Attibele tolls.

@hillsnrains - I will be starting from Pondy at 10-10.30 am. I think you should carry on if you plan a 8.30 am start.

Just crossed Krishnagiri. There was quiet a bit of traffic at both Attibele & Kgiri but Fasttag saved the day. Security ensures that Fasttag cars are given way to reach the toll booth and that saved a lot of time. So folks with Fasttag, find the lane & stay close to it.

You still starting at 8.30 tomorrow?

I drove back from Thiruvannamalai today. The Krishnagiri toll was letting all vehicles pass through FasTAG thus ensuring no difference in having installed one! I enquired and they said it was the manager's decision since the queue was more than a km long. This was around 6pm.

Is it advisable to take the same route as yours to reach Club Mahindra, as it's situated south of pondy?

How much of time can be saved compared to the Thindivanam route? I guess, we can avoid City Traffic, If I need to go the resort directly.

Club Mahindra is way south of Pondy, and is closer to Cuddalore. I guess it
would make sense to turn right at Koliyanur( after Villupuram) and then on
to Panrutti, and then turn left to Cuddalore. CM seems only a few kms from
Cuddalore. (Haven't taken this route, but it seems logical, instead of going
into Pondy and wading through the dense city traffic) :)

Hope the above helps