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Trivandrum - Nagercoil - Madurai - Dindigul - Karur - Salem - Bangalore. Route

It would be better to start by 4-5am types so that you can escape the traffic at Marthandam and Nagercoil.
Yes, you can cover this distance in 11-12 hours. Approx 730 Kms.

At trichy bypass
1. Kannapa (Non-veg)
2. Sangeethas (Veg).

Bangalore - Trivandrum, Via Srivilliputhur - Rajapalayam - Tenkasi - Thenmala:

I had some work in Trivandrum, So decided to take the Tenkasi-Thenmala road instead of the route via Nagercoil. From Madurai, its 2L and the roads are in very good condition.

Started from Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore - 4:30 AM
It took 10 and 15 mins respectively to cross Krishnagiri and Thoppur toll.
Stopped after Salem for Breakfast, it took around 30 mins.
Exited from 4L after crossing Madurai @ 10:15 AM.
Crossing Rajapalayam took around 10-15 mins.
Recached Tenkasi by 12:45 PM and stopped for 30 mins for lunch.
Reached Trivandrum Airport road by 3:15 PM

Overall, the roads are in very good condition throughout. A scenic drive and a great escape from the Marthandam traffic on the usual Nagercoil-Trivandrum road.

Here are some pics captured from my dashcam,

Towards Srivilliputhur - Rajapalayam







After Tenkasi





Some narrow roads that google maps suggested,

What time did you reach Krishnagiri? Maybe summer vacation is the reason for high traffic. Were you able to use fastag lane?

3:15 PM at Trivandrum airport is very good timing.

Many thanks for the update. The stretch between Madurai - Tenkasi was average & bumpy for passengers when I drove in the month of January. Has the road being relaid recently on this stretch? I drive an automatic and overtaking was a pain on the 2-lane roads. I know you drive a linea, so even bad roads would translate to carpet like ride :).

I will be driving to chengannur next month, my current plan is to take my usual route via Salem-Dindigul-Theni-Kumily.


Also if would help if you could comment on the Tirunelveli - Tenkasi stretch, assuming that you have driven recently.:)

Rgds,
Vinod

It was around 5:45 AM. Fastag lane was used exclusively for Fastag-ed vehicles, but for the truck in front of me, the fastag tag was not getting detected. So, they asked him to reverse. This took some time before I could take tht lane.

@thoppur toll it was a mess and they allowed all vehicles in Fastag lane.

Yes, the timing was really good as I was expecting around 12 hours.

Yes, the roads have been relaid and its not as bumpy as before. But I am not sure about the Tirunelveli - Tenaksi stretch.

Traffic was on the lower side so we didn't face much issue in overtaking.

Thanks. Let me explore the Tirunelvei - Tenkasi stretch, will keep you updated, it adds an additional 120kms to our journey to chengannur, but still worth the gamble since Bangalore - Tirunelveli is 4-laned highway and hoping it to be less tiring for my family.

How long would it take to reach Tirunelveli?, planning to leave koramangala at 12 pm & stay overnight at Tirunelveli.

Rgds,
Vinod

8-9 hours, based on your speed and number of breaks that you take. I normally do Nagercoil in 8.5H-10Hours.

Any update on the Kavalkinar - Trivandrum stretch? Is it better to take the Poovar route? Please also update about good restaurants between Salem and Trivandrum and back.

Thanks in advance.

Road condition is good but Marthandam flyover work is going on, so if possible it would be better to cross this stretch during non-peak hours.

Here are few while going from Bangalore,

• Dindigul - You have Thalappakatti and Ponram food square(for lunch/dinner stop), this is on the left side of the highway. You will have to take the service lane 1-2Km before this hotel.

• Few Kms before Madurai(around 385-390 Kms from EC signal), you have hotel Fantasy and CCD on the left side. In another 6-7Kms, you have Hotel Temple City on the left side. In another 2-3 Kms you have A2B on the right side along with a BP COCO.

• After the toll on the Madurai bypass, you have Nellai saravana bhavan and Hari's restaurant on the right side.

• While crossing Virudhunager, you have Burma Kadai on the left side(for lunch/dinner).

• After Kayathar toll(5kms from this toll and around 540 Kms from EC Signal), you have Capsi Hotel on the left side(for lunch/dinner)

There is one Thalappakatti immediately after Namakkal toll as well, not sure if they have inaugurated it. Apart from these hotels, there are other options as well.

I will be reaching Kaval Kinar by 1:00 - 1:30 PM. Would you recommend taking this route or the one via Tenkasi?

I think, crossing Marthandam around 2:30-3:00 should be fine. But I would prefer via Tenkasi as the traffic was minimal when I took that route.

If its season in courtallam, then traffic is bound to increase on the Madurai-Tenkasi stretch during weekends.

Details of my Trivandrum drive can be found here.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...ml#post4224590

There is a Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant just after the Namakkal toll(while going from bangalore) which opened recently and Padma Vilas (Pure Veg) in the same campus. They have good parking space and clean rest-rooms as well.

Tried the Trivandrum - Thenkasi - Rajapalayam - Madurai route for the first time, as against the regular Trivandrum - Nagercoil - Tirunelveli route. And to be quite frank, I'm cursing myself why I didn't try it out earlier itself. With the Marthandam section being under construction, it makes a lot more sense to take this route instead.

Time taken was similar as well. Joined the Nedumangad road at 10AM. Reached Madurai BPCL COCO bunk by 3 PM for lunch - 5 hours overall which I would have considered as very decent timings even while taking the Nagercoil route.

More details of my drive here