[peugeot96]

Originally Posted by Car_fanatic

I am scheduled to drive to Chennai tomorrow for the weekend and was looking at options. I am not too familiar with the route but this does seem like an excellent option. Would you be able to share a Google Maps link for your route pls?

Sorry but I am travelling and only have access to my mobile so am unable to link with maps. The solution is to ask google maps for Sholingur once you reach Chittoor through Old Madras Road. Then enter Chennai once you reach Sholingur. Google does not show the whole road as an alternate to Chennai from Bengaluru. It is also very easy to ask someone for the Tiruttani road once you enter Chittoor. Sorry once again- would have been easy if I could access my pc.

[Car_fanatic]

Not a problem. This is helpful. Just one follow up question - does this route go thru lots of city traffic and/or narrow roads with two way traffic?

[peugeot96]

Originally Posted by Car_fanatic

Not a problem. This is helpful. Just one follow up question - does this route go thru lots of city traffic and/or narrow roads with two way traffic?

Yes it does but traffic is very light especially in the late mornings/ afternoon. I have used it at night too when there almost zero traffic in certain sections.

[srvm]

Originally Posted by Car_fanatic

I am scheduled to drive to Chennai tomorrow for the weekend and was looking at options. I am not too familiar with the route but this does seem like an excellent option. Would you be able to share a Google Maps link for your route pls?

This is the route from Chittoor entry to Nemilicheri / Pattabiram ORR entry:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AxbNhzQSvauGQbt9


If you wish to enter Chennai via Tiruvallur-Thirumazhisai, then this is the route:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/omvbeqcjdJSMe4a96

Narrow roads inside Sholighur, RKPet. But usually not bothersome.
I agree with previous post by peugeot96. This route can be done even in night. Mostly empty roads during night time. But watch out for speed-breakers between Chittoor and Ponnai. Once inside TN, typical smooth 2-lane SH roads.

[Aviator_guy]

I am traveling from Bangalore (Varthur) to Chennai (RK Salai Road) on saturday morning. These are the routes Google baba is showing.

Usually I take the route#1 Krishnagiri route because of familiarity and food options. I heard that now it is full of traffic due to flyover construction at multiple places.

Gmaps is also showing a new route #2. Is this the new expressway which has been partially completed ? How is it after crossing KA border? Has anyone tried this route as shown and what is the feedback. I believe there may not be much opportunity to find a good food option on this route until it connects back to route #1.

In the past, I have taken route #3 from Whitefield. It was smooth till Chittoor but afterwards narrow roads and town crossings slowed me down. Is it still the same?

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Aviator_guy

I am traveling from Bangalore (Varthur) to Chennai (RK Salai Road) on saturday morning. These are the routes Google baba is showing.

Usually I take the route#1 Krishnagiri route because of familiarity and food options. I heard that now it is full of traffic due to flyover construction at multiple places.

Gmaps is also showing a new route #2. Is this the new expressway which has been partially completed ? How is it after crossing KA border? Has anyone tried this route as shown and what is the feedback. I believe there may not be much opportunity to find a good food option on this route until it connects back to route #1.

In the past, I have taken route #3 from Whitefield. It was smooth till Chittoor but afterwards narrow roads and town crossings slowed me down. Is it still the same?

Most of your questions are covered in Bangalore Chennai via Chittoor thread and Bangalore Chennai Expressway (BCE) thread.

In current form, BCE is not recommended, your option #2.

Either choose #3 or stick to #1 depending on your comfort levels.

-Ravi

[Aviator_guy]

Originally Posted by Aviator_guy

I am traveling from Bangalore (Varthur) to Chennai (RK Salai Road) on saturday morning. These are the routes Google baba is showing.

Usually I take the route#1 Krishnagiri route because of familiarity and food options. I heard that now it is full of traffic due to flyover construction at multiple places.

Originally Posted by ravib

Most of your questions are covered in Bangalore Chennai via Chittoor thread and Bangalore Chennai Expressway (BCE) thread.

In current form, BCE is not recommended, your option #2.

Either choose #3 or stick to #1 depending on your comfort levels.

-Ravi

Today I reached Chennai. Took the usual Krishnagiri route. Started at 8:45AM and reached RK salai by 3:30pm with a 45 minute lunch break. I was dreading heavy traffic but luckily it wasn't as bad. May be because I started late or it was plain luck.

Encountered many diversions due to bridge construction specially after Vellore. Bad roads around Sriperambadur and sad to see no improvement even after so many years.

[sleepyhead148]

Another route and trip update from my end.

Over the course of the last 2 months, I did two round trips between Chennai and Bangalore. The latest one was a couple of weeks back. Each of the trips took 6 hours from end-to-end. The car returned a tank-to-tank of 18/19 on both these trips.

The stretch between Sriperumbudur and Kanchi has become worse around the diversions, with one of the bumps messing with my left front tyre alignment. Blame it on me for missing it due to poor lighting and slightly higher speed. The road surface between Chennasamudram and Kanchi is also better now given two more bridges have opened up. The stretch between Ranipet (Chennasamudram toll) and Krishnagiri is a breeze with asphalt relaid at most places (before Vellore, Madhanur, Natrampalli and Bargur). Lane marking was still work-in-progress so it should've been done by now. The work at Ambur city bypass bridge seems to be in full pace so expect opening soon (or atleast before they officially open stretches on the new highway). Between Hosur and Krishnagiri you still have the bypasses at SIPCOT and TN RTO being a bit of a time sink. There was also some work on E-city flyover which slowed down progress.

This time, I tried Upashana Hotel at Kanchi for a late evening snack. Service was slow but food was delicious. Do try their Kanchi idli. I did try a few tea stalls on both sides and they seem to be better options for a rest stop.

Overall, I still maintain that the train or a bus remains your best option to and fro between the city. Only prefer driving if you're starting from either place at around 4 am or a little after.

[RGK]

Did a trip to BLR (Kempapura) and returned from there (off Bannergatta Road) after doing a few temple trips. Started from T Nagar at 11.45 a.m. and arrived in Hoskote at 5.45 p.m. via Pallikonda - Gudiyatham - Palamaner. Just wanted to check out this parallel route off the Vellore-Katpadi-Chittoor bypass. The road quality between Pallikonda, Gudiyatham, and Palamaner is good, with no surprises. The sole disadvantage is the few speed breakers. There is literally no traffic in this but day trip is only preferred. Had a delicious coffee at Woodys after Mulbagal.

As I started from Bannerghatta Road and preferred the Hosur route. Except for perhaps ~16 detours, it is typical. Started at 5.40pm and arrived at T Nagar at 12 a.m., after two short rests. Fortunately, all the diversions did not take much time.

Some Observations:

• The expressway work in AP (before Palamaner) is currently at brisk pace when I passed below it.
  
• There is not a single evidence of work at the Balu Chatram Diversion (after Kanchi on the Chn-Blr direction). I have been here few times in the last six months, and the situation has not changed.
  
• The road quality has improved till Sriperumpudur from BLR.

Thanks to NPV and Ravib for timely guidance.

[arun_josie]

I prefer starting around 4am to avoid these traffic-jams at the diversions on the Hosur-Krishnagiri stretch, but I still got stuck for 45 minutes at one of the diversions before shoolagiri, yesterday. I am not sure if this has anything to do with the bandh prompting all trucks to exit KA before 6am. Thankfully I didn’t get stuck anywhere else.

[Aviator_guy]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

I prefer starting around 4am to avoid these traffic-jams at the diversions on the Hosur-Krishnagiri stretch, but I still got stuck for 45 minutes at one of the diversions before shoolagiri, yesterday. I am not sure if this has anything to do with the bandh prompting all trucks to exit KA before 6am. Thankfully I didn’t get stuck anywhere else.

Attachment 2739990

I think everyone in KA side has same idea of leaving early before dawn. I recently took this route and started late (around 830 AM) from Whitefield. It was light traffic all the way, even crossing the Attibele toll and Hosur check post was a breeze. They used to be bottlenecks during rush hour.

[Blueleader]

Originally Posted by Aviator_guy

I am traveling from Bangalore (Varthur) to Chennai (RK Salai Road) on Saturday morning. These are the routes Google baba is showing.

I took "route #2" this past weekend, and it was a very pleasant drive. The stretch from Pallikonda to BCE is 2 Lane SH with a nice ghat area in between. The road conditions are good, and traffic is light, especially without the presence of container trucks. Quite a few rumble strips on the stretch as well, but more a irritant than bone breaker.

However, BCE currently lacks operational rest stops, and I did not observe any layover lanes along the route. Return was through the usual Krishnagiri route and time taken was similar just that "route 2" is much more relaxing as it allows for driving without weaving through traffic.

[RGK]

According to local sources, the flyover at Ambur has been opened for traffic. Without a sure, this is a huge comfort for all motorists who take the Krishnagiri route.

[sandsun7]

Originally Posted by RGK

According to local sources, the flyover at Ambur has been opened for traffic. Without a sure, this is a huge comfort for all motorists who take the Krishnagiri route.

Yes, the X link below has a short video of the same

https://x.com/TamilNaduInfra/status/...sdl-ahjWg&s=08

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by RGK

According to local sources, the flyover at Ambur has been opened for traffic. Without a sure, this is a huge comfort for all motorists who take the Krishnagiri route.

Yes, this used to be a major bottleneck during peak hours. I took this flyover today and crossed ambur in no time.



The flyover near Vaniyambadi is open too, the one opposite to Ahmedia hotel.