[sajiseb]

Originally Posted by AsishT

There was no problem other than 1/2 diversion via service road where roads were under construction. Took the usual Dindigul - Karur - Namakkal - Salem route. It shows me the same route when I look it up in Google maps now.

Thanks, Ashish.
This is the route I could see yesterday (without Namakkal route)


Today morning it shows the Namakkal route also.

[patekgeneve]

With the heavy rains in Kannur, Wayanad and Coorg, what is the least risky route from Thalassery to Mysore? Anyone travelling this weekend on these routes?

Please advice.

[bimal_67]

Originally Posted by patekgeneve

With …. the least risky route from Thalassery to Mysore? Anyone travelling this weekend on these routes?

Took this route till Perambadi (enroute to Virajpet) and back in my trip from TVM - TCR -Virajpet - TCR - Kanjirapally last week. The condition of Iritti - Makutta - Virajpet road is very bad in a few sections (near check posts after Kuttupuzha and Makutta and also a kilometre nearer to Perambadi) and is satisfactory in other areas. The repairs started in the months prior to the rains are yet to be completed. Better to navigate slowly for the health of the suspension and passengers. This should not be a reason to avoid this route. I found it relatively better this time in spite of all the above, as compared to last December. The state roads in Kannur are in good shape.

[Vasuki]

Hi, Would like to start for Hyderabad from Kochi in the last week on June. Which is the best route?

1. Kochi - Hosur - Devanahalli - Hyderabad

2. Kochi - Kadapa - Hyderabad

3. Kochi - Vellore - Ongole - Hyderabad

Planning to start at 3 AM. Can we do it in one go? If not which is the best place to take a break in the journey?

Google also shows another option of Kochi - Coimbatore - Bhavanisagar dam- Chamarajanagar - Tumakuru - Penukonda - Hyderabad

[vivekcochin]

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Hi, Would like to start for Hyderabad from Kochi in the last week on June. Which is the best route?

1. Kochi - Hosur - Devanahalli - Hyderabad

2. Kochi - Kadapa - Hyderabad

3. Kochi - Vellore - Ongole - Hyderabad

Planning to start at 3 AM. Can we do it in one go? If not which is the best place to take a break in the journey?

Google also shows another option of Kochi - Coimbatore - Bhavanisagar dam- Chamarajanagar - Tumakuru - Penukonda - Hyderabad

First one is the best and most conventional route and would share my experience which might give some idea for you as well (hope so).

Do not attempt 1 day Kochi to Hyderabad drive:
Before I start, please do not attempt do drive at one stretch if you are the solo driver. It is not worth it. I am saying especially since I have done this at one stretch from Hyderabad to FortKochi when I was driving all alone. I consider it as most foolish decision and not to say how dangerous it is. I almost slept off and was in state of deep sleep while I reached. When I think back, I don’t remember my last 5 or 10 kilometers once I passed Ernakulam towards Fortkochi.

Route description:

Since it is a 3am start, there is no issue to cross Bengaluru (BLR) and move ahead. I always like to cross BLR on my day 1. You can find a place to halt and stay at Nandi cross area or slightly ahead at Chickballapura. You can even go ahead considering 3 am start but stay options are limited or not good. It is better to halt after BLR.
I always take interior roads after passing Krishnagiri at Shoolagiri as mentioned below. It will save us time considering evening Hosur, BLR entry will be hectic with back to back traffic. The roads through the interior will give a smooth travel with good roads but narrow at some stretch which is perfectly manageable for a long distance traveler/driver.

Exact route:

Kochi – Salem – Krishnagiri – At Shoolagiri enter Shoolagiri Berigai road – Puliyarasi – Athimugam – Berigai – Enter Karnataka – Masti – Malur – Enter NE 7 road (Chennai BLR expressway) – Nalluru toll plaza – Nandi cross – Penukonda – Anantapur – Kurnool – Hyderabad.

Day 1:

Break options:

Breakfast:

With 3 am start and thanks to block at Thrissur highway, I think you can have breakfast in Kerala itself either at Kanjikode Saravana or Palakkad bypass Ananda Bhavan. If it is smooth, then good options at L&T bypass Coimbatore before Avinashi.

Lunch:

Based on how you travel next, you can try A2B after Thoppur ghats. The lunch section should not be a problem since in this region you can find some good options right on highway

Halt/stay at night:

Either at Nandi cross area or Chickballapura. The stay budget is based on each person. Thus, I am not pointing to anything

Day 2:

It is better to have a good breakfast at this region where you stayed as options are limited later on. Else you can drive 120 kms and then have breakfast at A2B near Kia factory, Penukonda region. Lunch can be at Kurnool with many options on the highway.
If you start at 9 am, you can be at Hyderabad by 6pm.

Tail tip :
I hate to try the new Rayakottai road from Dharmapuri as it is not fully marked. I would stick to the trunk route of Kochi – Coimbatore – Salem – Krishnagiri but a deviation through interior roads at Shoolagiri to reach Nandi cross and then usual Anantapur – Kurnool route to Hyderabad.

Sorry for this long post.

[rajesh1868]

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Hi, Would like to start for Hyderabad from Kochi in the last week on June. Which is the best route?

Originally Posted by vivekcochin

First one is the best and most conventional route and would share my experience which might give some idea for you as well (hope so).

Do not attempt 1 day Kochi to Hyderabad drive:
Before I start, please do not attempt do drive at one stretch if you are the solo driver. It is not worth it. I am saying especially since I have done this at one stretch from Hyderabad to FortKochi when I was driving all alone. I consider it as most foolish decision and not to say how dangerous it is. I almost slept off and was in state of deep sleep while I reached. When I think back, I don’t remember my last 5 or 10 kilometers once I passed Ernakulam towards Fortkochi.

Agree on this. One day drive is a stretch. I take a break during my drive upto Puttaparthi.

You can also check this https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...ml#post5986266 (On Bypassing Bangalore) and other discussions in this thread to bypass Bangalore.

The one I had taken was https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...ml#post5954092 (On Bypassing Bangalore)

Check other posts (last 5 pages or so) in the Bypassing Bangalore thread. You might see reviews on bypassing Salem as well

[vivekcochin]

Originally Posted by rajesh1868

Agree on this. One day drive is a stretch. I take a break during my drive upto Puttaparthi.

Puttaparthi is way inside from highway, right? Can you elaborate please on options and deviation needed?

I have once stayed at Kia factory area some time back on the highway.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by Vasuki

Hi, Would like to start for Hyderabad from Kochi in the last week on June. Which is the best route?

1. Kochi - Hosur - Devanahalli - Hyderabad

Route 1, but take Krishnagiri-Venkatagirikota-NE7-STRR. This will avoid the construction on Krishnagiri-Hosur stretch. This is slightly longer, but you get wider roads throughout.

I wouldn't bother Sathy route, unless you are doing for fun with 2-3 days in hand.

Doing in a day is touch and go, Kurnool-Hyd sees quite a bit of traffic, not something you want to do end of your drive.

Keep stay options open from Penukonda to Kurnool (given your start time) and take a call at runtime. Penukonda (due to Kia presence and we stayed last month) , Anantapur and Kurnool have options.

[vivekcochin]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Keep stay options open from Penukonda to Kurnool (given your start time) and take a call at runtime. Penukonda (due to Kia presence and we stayed last month)

Can you pls suggest stay options at Penukonda?

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by vivekcochin

Can you pls suggest stay options at Penukonda?

I stayed at Susan Suites diagonally across from the Penukonda A2B. There were 2 more I noted that were further down the road, but didn't need them.

[vivekcochin]

Originally Posted by narayans80

I stayed at Susan Suites diagonally across from the Penukonda A2B. There were 2 more I noted that were further down the road, but didn't need them.

Yep, I had stayed there as well. Now an A2B has opened on opposite side. So a good place to halt. If you remember name of other options just further ahead, please add in

[rajesh1868]

Originally Posted by vivekcochin

Puttaparthi is way inside from highway, right? Can you elaborate please on options and deviation needed?

I have once stayed at Kia factory area some time back on the highway.

Sorry I meant I take a break (at Omalur) when I drive to Puttaparthi, my destination.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by vivekcochin

Now an A2B has opened on opposite side.

Where is this? I only saw one A2B as of 24th May(same day I stayed in Susan Suites).

Other options I had marked were RR Grand and N Grand.

I've stayed at the Kurnool Haritha too, its ok for an overnight stay.

[vivekcochin]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Where is this? I only saw one A2B as of 24th May(same day I stayed in Susan Suites).

Other options I had marked were RR Grand and N Grand.

I've stayed at the Kurnool Haritha too, its ok for an overnight stay.

Thanks a ton.

Thanks.

Here is the location of A2B at Kia circle. It is almost opposite to Susan suites ( on Anantapur to Bangalore side)

https://g.co/kgs/eQTgaKG

For easy reference on maps: See below, just say 250 metres away.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by vivekcochin

Here is the location of A2B at Kia circle.

We are talking about the same A2B here I thought there was a second A2B on the same side as Susan Suites.

I had dinner at this A2B on the trip last month, before calling the day off after finding the room.