[Landkruzer]

Yesterday I drove from Konganapuram to Dharamanagalam section of the Omalur-Sankagiri SH 86. This road is getting upgraded to a 4 lane divided highway and hence it was in a very bad state. Many sections I had to crawl at 10 kmph.

Those who are looking for alternate routes for bangalore to coimbatore or looking to bypass salem, please do not take this road.

Initially I thought it has been upgraded to a NH. But google search showed that it is still an SH and state goverment is doing this.
https://indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in/o...project/703560

[115]

Took the usual Salem route on a Saturday with a 6am start from Bangalore.

Diversions - Lost count of the number of times we had to leave the highway to get into a narrow service road due to flyover constructions

Barricades - Extremely dangerous and unscientific placement

Truck Traffic - Significantly increased. They were all over the road.

OT
Was driving in tandem with a bus from Conti travels. Brought back good old memories of being a regular on their non AC and Volvo bus during earlier times 🙂

[jkrishnakj]

I've stopped using the highway for Coimbatore and mostly use the ones via Kollegal, Dhimbam. The ghats are a hit or a miss. With easy traffic I reach Cbe in less than 5 hours 30 mins. Highway takes an hour more these days.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by 115

Diversions - Lost count of the number of times we had to leave the highway to get into a narrow service road due to flyover constructions

Barricades - Extremely dangerous and unscientific placement

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

I've stopped using the highway for Coimbatore and mostly use the ones via Kollegal, Dhimbam. The ghats are a hit or a miss. With easy traffic I reach Cbe in less than 5 hours 30 mins. Highway takes an hour more these days.

I guess this is all the Thoppur-Salem section? Especially the one around Omalur? I thought that work should have progressed well now? Looks like not.

[sairamboko]

Originally Posted by ampere

I guess this is all the Thoppur-Salem section? Especially the one around Omalur? I thought that work should have progressed well now? Looks like not.

Thoppur - Salem still has issues. Not much progress. Read in a tamil newspaper about some project for this section. Hopefully that will bring relief. On the other hand, I recently did a Hosur - CBE trip. While going I took the Hosur -Rayakottai-Palacode , then joined the NH. Again after thoppur section took the Mettur-Bhavani and then joined NH. Peaceful drive without much traffic. On the return had to take the regular NH route as it was late night.

[115]

Originally Posted by ampere

I guess this is all the Thoppur-Salem section? Especially the one around Omalur? I thought that work should have progressed well now? Looks like not.

Mainly around Omalur and Salem. It seems to be never ending. There is also one started just after Attibele toll.
Will explore the other route options suggested by the members.

[shankar.balan]

I drove Bangalore-Coimbatore on the normal highway via Hosur and Salem and all on Friday. And returned on the same route yesterday.
There are indeed one or two ‘Stonehenges-in-the making’ on that route by way of these flyovers-which-seem-to-take-forever-to-complete. (Not much change in status since 2020 and Ive been using that road a few times a year since then.)

But then, on this recent drive I found the traffic sparse and what there was, was mostly disciplined. And all diversions were well marked and the surfaces are good.

The only serious irritant (for my poor little low-slung pretty little red car) were the evil unscientific mountainous home-made speed breakers along those diversions and service roads. Ah! And those splendiferous inventions, the ‘strategically-placed’ metal barricades with lovely finely honed,sharp edges (just-right-to-skewer-you-with-my-dear!). TN Traffic Authorities honestly need some serious re-education in how to regulate traffic with modern methods and priper signs.

(We also drove up to Valparai from Coimbatore. Everything is wonderful and the roads are delicious and lovely and all. But the Ukkadam and Pollachi pieces of the jigsaw seem to be pieces that will never ever fit properly into the overall puzzle. They are SUCH ill-conceived, ill-designed, perpetually-WIP pieces and do not look like they are going to be finding a proper resolution anytime in the foreseeable future.)

[TonyJames]

Drove from Bangalore to Coimbatore recently

Start Time: 05:45 PM From Bangalore Avalahalli

To Reach Hosur took the Varthur - Sarjapur - Attibelle Route

And it took 90 minutes to reach Hosur Check Post

Crossing Hosur during peak hours is now a pain after they have started construction of Bridge near Sipcot Junction

Crossed Hosur around 7:30 PM and then it was an absolute breeze until Dharmapuri

Decided to take dinner break in Sai Sangeet near Thoppur Toll Gate. This is by far the one with best taste in this route for me. Better than A2B and Murugan Idli Stop in this route.

Crossed Salem around 10:15 PM and it was relatively traffic free.

Salem to Coimbatore is a mixed bag. There are nearly 4 diversions due to Bridge construction but luckily traffic was less on that particular day.

Reached Coimbatore Gokulam Hotel around 12:05 AM

I maintained speed between 100 to 110 in good stretches.

Throughout this journey, my 2021 i20 Diesel Turbo managed an impressive mileage of 19 KMPL.

[kayarem]

Originally Posted by abg

I did Bengaluru - Coimbatore and return a couple of times over last two weeks. Depending upon whether you are traveling with family or not, there are multiple good options to choose from.

.

2. Bengaluru - Mysuru road - Maddur - Malavalli – Tirumakudalu Narsapura - Chamaraja Nagar - Dhimbam - Sathy - Coimbatore. This route is in good to excellent condition, despite work in progress in various stretches till Maddur and rough patches after Malavalli. Travel time will be same as option one. At times, there could be congestions till Bidadi.


For options 2,3 & 4, it is possible to bypass most of the towns after Dhimbam till Annur, by choosing Bannari - Bhavani Sagar Dam - Othimalai Road - Annur route. Roads are in excellent condition and no traffic at all. This is now the preferred route for me. With one break, I could complete Coimbatore – Bengaluru in 5 Hrs 15 Minutes with normal driving, with an early start.

Unfortunately, I am not able comment on the stay options near Isha.

Thanks for the good description of options. I am planning a Bangalore to Coimbatore drive on peak traffic day - Friday 22nd Dec - and can leave from Konanakunte Cross in Kanakapura Road only by 2:30PM.

Lot of folks have shared experience of the drive during the day and all the info was useful.

I have a few questions:
1. Will it be OK to go all the way to Mysore in the expressway and go towards Dhimbam to avoid Kollegal or Malavalli.
2. I might probably reach Dhimbam ghat around 6PM. Will it be ok to climb down at that time of the day.
3. Is the Bannari-Bhavani Sagar- Othimalai - Annur stretch safe to drive around 8PM or 9PM.

Looking to avoid the mad rush in the Salem highway and the potential choke points due to construction of flyovers in Hosur Sipcot area, Pannappati (before the Omalur flyover) and the usual toll booth crowd.

We will driving an Innova HyCross.

[TonyJames]

Originally Posted by kayarem

Thanks for the good description of options. I am planning a Bangalore to Coimbatore drive on peak traffic day - Friday 22nd Dec - and can leave from Konanakunte Cross in Kanakapura Road only by 2:30PM.

Lot of folks have shared experience of the drive during the day and all the info was useful.

I have a few questions:
1. Will it be OK to go all the way to Mysore in the expressway and go towards Dhimbam to avoid Kollegal or Malavalli.
2. I might probably reach Dhimbam ghat around 6PM. Will it be ok to climb down at that time of the day.
3. Is the Bannari-Bhavani Sagar- Othimalai - Annur stretch safe to drive around 8PM or 9PM.

.

I suggest taking the Salem route itself. It will take a solid 5 to 5:30 hours to reach Sathyamangalam from Bangalore, and from there, another 1:30 hours to Coimbatore.

The rush in Hosur starts after evening. So, if you can cross Hosur by 3:30 PM, the Salem route should be okay. You can reach Coimbatore, Neelambur by 7:30 or 8 PM.

I have only driven through Dhimbam ghats during the daytime, so I'm not sure if it's okay to climb during the evening. For night travel, I suggest taking the Bannari - Sathy - Puliyampatty - Annur Road.

However, if your end destination is on the Ganapathy side or Sathy Road in Coimbatore, you can consider the Dhimbham route.

[kayarem]

Originally Posted by TonyJames

I suggest taking the Salem route itself. It will take a solid 5 to 5:30 hours to reach Sathyamangalam from Bangalore, and from there, another 1:30 hours to Coimbatore.


However, if your end destination is on the Ganapathy side or Sathy Road in Coimbatore, you can consider the Dhimbham route.

Thanks. I guess it is better to bear the highway rush rather than taking the narrow ghat road in the dark. I need to go to Trichy Road side.

[QlnBlr]

Originally Posted by TonyJames

Drove from Bangalore to Coimbatore recently
Start Time: 05:45 PM From Bangalore Avalahalli

While coming from Salem, how far is Gokulam Park from the Coimbatore bypass beginning point? And, do they have safe and secure car parking at Gokulam Park?

[TonyJames]

Originally Posted by QlnBlr

While coming from Salem, how far is Gokulam Park from the Coimbatore bypass beginning point? And, do they have safe and secure car parking at Gokulam Park?

Gokulam Park is very close to Neelambur Bypass in Coimbatore and it took me 2hrs and 15 mins from Salem Selvi Mess Hotel.

They have secured Parking inside hotel premises with Security Guard.

Rooms where a bit old fashioned. But they offer 24 hours checkin which the neighbouring Le Meridian doesn't offer. Overall its a decent option if you want to stay nearby NH and not near the city.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by kayarem

2. I might probably reach Dhimbam ghat around 6PM. Will it be ok to climb down at that time of the day.

Its a traffic prone stretch(due to truck break downs). So, better to avoid this stretch after 6PM.

[cogWheel]

Those of you who are familiar with the Chamarajanagar - Dhimbam route towards Coiimbatore / Mettuplalyam, please recommend hotels with decent washrooms. Planning to drive from Mysore to Coonoor through this route.
Tia.