[kala]

Originally Posted by Klub Class

The positives of taking Chamravattom Road is that there are no tolls (a saving of Rs 85) and lesser traffic.

Which toll do you save ? Don't remember paying any when I travelled between Calicut and Guruvayoor last month (except the one at the Calicut byepass).

[Klub Class]

Originally Posted by kala

Which toll do you save?

I was talking of the Mannuthy-Edapally NH toll.

[NPV]

Thanks for all the responses - rameshnanda, ajithbr, rajeevraj, mpksuhas - a combined wealth of information on the route/road conditions ! No wonder why this thread is highly rated.

So the route via Calicut is recommended and there are few options for routes from Calicut to Guruvayoor, have pointed my friend to this thread.
I will also be taking the Bangalore-Sultan-Bathery-Kalpetta-Thamarassery-Calicut route later this month and will update on latest conditions then.

[joecherian]

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

OK. Here is an update for you. Took this route on our drive to Chalakudy y'day night and it was a breeze. Started from BEML gate, HAL at about 12.20 and was in Coimbatore City by 6am with 3 breaks totaling 45 mins.

Hi Lloyd, how safe is this route for a night travel ? I have to drive down to cochin tomorrow and the latest I can start from bangalore is 6 PM. In this time, is it advisable to take this NH 209 route (considering the friday traffic that might be there on this route) ?
More important, how safe is this for night travel ? I will be travelling with my wife.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by joecherian

Hi Lloyd, how safe is this route for a night travel ? I have to drive down to cochin tomorrow and the latest I can start from bangalore is 6 PM. In this time, is it advisable to take this NH 209 route (considering the friday traffic that might be there on this route) ?
More important, how safe is this for night travel ? I will be travelling with my wife.

There are no safety issues and the route sees traffic through the night. However, between Chamarajnagar & Bannari, you can expect to see wildlife, especially elephants & bison, so be extra-cautious & watch out for any crossings.

[vinucv]

Can anyone please update the current condition of salem-coimbatore-palakkad route ? Has the road works near avinashi completed ? Is it better to take the valayar route or the kangeyam route

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by vinucv

Can anyone please update the current condition of salem-coimbatore-palakkad route ? Has the road works near avinashi completed ? Is it better to take the valayar route or the kangeyam route

Construction is still going on but its not that bad to consider other routes.

[Path_Finder]

Originally Posted by vinucv

Can anyone please update the current condition of salem-coimbatore-palakkad route ? Has the road works near avinashi completed ? Is it better to take the valayar route or the kangeyam route

Came this route day before yesterday. The works are far from over, but I see that at least one lane or the service road is done neatly – so except at the points of diversion it was not as bad as expected. Should still be better than any other route.

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by joecherian

Hi Lloyd, how safe is this route for a night travel ? I have to drive down to cochin tomorrow and the latest I can start from bangalore is 6 PM. In this time, is it advisable to take this NH 209 route (considering the friday traffic that might be there on this route) ?
More important, how safe is this for night travel ? I will be travelling with my wife.

Joe, As HVK mentioned the route is safe but there are a lot of desolate stretches with virtually no traffic till Chamrajnagar. Eateries are very few for a night drive and for toilets you have to depend on Fuel Stations only. Watch out for some truck traffic after Chamrajanagar. Other than that it should be a stress free drive.

[joecherian]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

There are no safety issues and the route sees traffic through the night. However, between Chamarajnagar & Bannari, you can expect to see wildlife, especially elephants & bison, so be extra-cautious & watch out for any crossings.

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

Joe, As HVK mentioned the route is safe but there are a lot of desolate stretches with virtually no traffic till Chamrajnagar. Eateries are very few for a night drive and for toilets you have to depend on Fuel Stations only. Watch out for some truck traffic after Chamrajanagar. Other than that it should be a stress free drive.

thanks a lot. Hope the traffic is not that bad till kanakpura (given that it is a friday evening). I am planning to take the NICE road from Hosur road to get out at kanakpura exit. Hope this is the best route for me (starting at 6 PM from CV Raman Nagar)

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by joecherian

thanks a lot. Hope the traffic is not that bad till kanakpura (given that it is a friday evening). I am planning to take the NICE road from Hosur road to get out at kanakpura exit. Hope this is the best route for me (starting at 6 PM from CV Raman Nagar)

Hmmm... I'm not familiar with the traffic on the NICE road. But I wouldn't suggest a 6pm start from CV Raman Nagar. It is better to start before 5-5.30 to avoid the peak hour rush else start after 9pm for a relaxed drive.

[mpksuhas]

^^ Second what lloydofcochin mentioned. It would be better if you able to start a bit early since for reaching NICE road on Hosur road you need to travel through Marthahalli- Bellandur strech of ORR. Starting bit early will help you in beating peak traffic that builds up after six. Else expect bottle necks at Kadubisinahalli, Bellandur, Silkboard junction.
Expect moderate traffic till Kanakpura, also rest rooms are not present even if some petrol bunks on way. Guess the best option for rest room and food will be Rajdhani resturant in Chamarajnagar near KSRTC bus stand. Most other resturants on road side was bit shack like bar attached ones and felt not suitable for family.

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

^^ Second what lloydofcochin mentioned. It would be better if you able to start a bit early since for reaching NICE road on Hosur road you need to travel through Marthahalli- Bellandur strech of ORR. Starting bit early will help you in beating peak traffic that builds up after six. Else expect bottle necks at Kadubisinahalli, Bellandur, Silkboard junction.
Expect moderate traffic till Kanakpura, also rest rooms are not present even if some petrol bunks on way. Guess the best option for rest room and food will be Rajdhani resturant in Chamarajnagar near KSRTC bus stand. Most other resturants on road side was bit shack like bar attached ones and felt not suitable for family.

From CV Raman Nagar shorter route for him would be Indiranager - Ejipura - Madivala - Silk Board. But the issue would be that with a 6pm start the IRR would be choked.

[ajithbr]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

^^ Second what lloydofcochin mentioned. It would be better if you able to start a bit early since for reaching NICE road on Hosur road you need to travel through Marthahalli- Bellandur strech of ORR. Starting bit early will help you in beating peak traffic that builds up after six. Else expect bottle necks at Kadubisinahalli, Bellandur, Silkboard junction.
Expect moderate traffic till Kanakpura, also rest rooms are not present even if some petrol bunks on way. Guess the best option for rest room and food will be Rajdhani resturant in Chamarajnagar near KSRTC bus stand. Most other resturants on road side was bit shack like bar attached ones and felt not suitable for family.

Gokul@Kanakapura and Nandhini@Kollegal are both good for food and toilets. I think Rajdhani@Chamarajnagar closes by 10 PM which will be too tight if you start 6PM from C.V.Raman Nagar. However, if you think you can reach Chamarajnagar for dinner, I would recommed Nijaguna Residency. Beyond Chamarajnagar, please do not expect anything decent for a break with family till you join back NH-47. And I am not sure how comfortable you will be if you are descending Bannari ghats (with 27 Hairpin bends and relatively narrow stretches in between) in the night (well, almost midnight!) when there is heavy truck traffic and many overnight buses from Coimbatore/Erode towards Mysore.

[deetjohn]

I maybe driving to KL over the weekend. I am thinking about taking the NH209 from Bannerghatta Road to Coimbatore and join NH47 from there.

I went to Coimbatore via NH209 last month and the road condition is excellent. Moreover, I thoroughly enjoyed driving on this road. But I am worried about getting stuck inside Coimbatore city.

Is this a good option to take and what is the shortest way to get onto NH47 from NH209? We are looking to drive during the day.