[enygma]

Originally Posted by GeeTee TSI

Taking inspiration from this very informative thread by Dr.AD, I had firmly set a drive to Bijapur at the next available opportunity over a 3 day weekend. That I checked out a day earlier and returned late on day 2 is a different matter (but I state it here because it is possible)

Awesome and very detailed write-up! I have been to Bijapur around 5 times in the last 1 year for personal reasons but never went beyond exploring Gol Gumbaz. Will check out the remaining monuments on my next trip. Fern is my go-to hotel as well and would highly recommend it. Been to one nearby hotel for one visit and it was just too noisy - too many events and parties happening. For folks starting early morning from Bangalore and not taking too many breaks, a breakfast at Upadhayay Ruchi (on the other side while going to Bijapur) and a late lunch at your hotel in Bijapur is pretty much feasible. Another attraction slightly off the highway is the Almatti dam.

[mario_bros]

I recently did Latur-Solapur-Bijapur-Bangalore drive (~800km) in a single day. Really need to admire the good quality highway.

Found a food joint just after Chitradurga left turn. I couldn't find this in any of the team-bhp thread. Adding the location in case anyone finds it useful:

Sukh Sagar: https://maps.app.goo.gl/w4KXPNVbZmeiY2Xy7

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by mario_bros

Sukh Sagar

Where exactly is this located? Per Gmaps POI its on the exit ramp. I don't remember seeing this in my June drive.

The first known stop is Anand Vihar which is 50 km north towards Hospet.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Where exactly is this located? Per Gmaps POI its on the exit ramp. I don't remember seeing this in my June drive.

The first known stop is Anand Vihar which is 50 km north towards Hospet.

Seems like a new place! Also, this is ideal only for Bangalore bound traffic from Hospet side.

If driving towards Bangalore, you have 2 choices right after the bypass ends and hardly 10 minutes away - Sarvodaya Veg and Upadhya Ruchi.

[condor]

Anand Vihar is ok - but our last visit got us limited selection and not the taste we are used to.

Upadhya Ruchi any day. Will never step in to Sarvodaya veg again.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by condor

Upadhya Ruchi any day. Will never step in to Sarvodaya veg again.

Doesn't work out for folks like me who start at 4am and cross this place before 7:00, that too located on right hand side which I mostly avoid even if it is a small detour or I am a big "fan" of such places and not flexible.

Anand Vihar so far has been consistent for us, Breakfast and Dinner tried till now. Agree his menu is limited but there's not much choice on this stretch towards Hospet that meets the criteria when traveling with family.

Mysore Cafe detour isn't worth 14 extra km detour especially when we are considerate about time on a 1000 km drive!

[condor]

The difference in reaching these two places would be 20 minutes. Even with a 4 am start, one would reach Chitradurga well before breakfast time.

I will still avoid this sarvodaya veg place. Once is enough. Will rather have a cup of tea at a dabba shop / toll gate and head further down towards the destination for breakfast/lunch/snacks.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by condor

The difference in reaching these two places would be 20 minutes. Even with a 4 am start, one would reach Chitradurga well before breakfast time.

I will still avoid this sarvodaya veg place. Once is enough. Will rather have a cup of tea at a dabba shop / toll gate and head further down towards the destination for breakfast/lunch/snacks.

While I have visited Sarvodaya only once, I am regular to Upadhaya and they have been pretty consistent. On the other hand, Anand Vihar is an Oasis; can't complain since there is nothing worthwhile ahead.

However, the discussion here is about the new place that has come up at the cloverleaf intersection "towards Bangalore" and how this may not be ideal for those headed towards Hospete/Vijayapura. The location shared by the OP can be a good alternate to Sarvodaya or Upadhya, both of which has quite some customer traffic on a weekend since it is on the Hubli Bangalore highway while this one right at the exit of Hospet Chitradurga highway witnesses moderate to lower traffic even on weekends and hence one can avoid reaching the crowded places.

[sixersiddu]

Sarvodaya veg was my go to place based on our start time from Bengaluru. However, the quality has gone down a lot! In the last few trips, I have been going to Paakashaala - Sira. Downside is we need to park the car on highway and cross the road. For 4am/5am starts, it would be too early though!

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by condor

Anand Vihar is ok - but our last visit got us limited selection and not the taste we are used to.

On Chitradurga-Solapur there are exactly 2 options bang on the NH. That is Anand Vihar before Kuldigi and Nandagokula at Kushtagi. There are food options inside Hospet or Bijapur town. They would all require 20-30 minute additional effort.

I've had lunch at Naivedyam when I had just 8 hours drive for the day. I did not and would not do on a Madras-Bijapur sort of drive.

Unlike AP or TS where you have this mobile food vans that open for service much earlier, there is no such thing in KA.

No hotel opens earlier than 7 am for service. Even if doors are open, it'll be 730 am atleast when you actually get food.

[ar.abc]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

While I have visited Sarvodaya only once, I am regular to Upadhaya and they have been pretty consistent. On the other hand, Anand Vihar is an Oasis; can't complain since there is nothing worthwhile ahead.

However, the discussion here is about the new place that has come up at the cloverleaf intersection "towards Bangalore" and how this may not be ideal for those headed towards Hospete/Vijayapura. The location shared by the OP can be a good alternate to Sarvodaya or Upadhya, both of which has quite some customer traffic on a weekend since it is on the Hubli Bangalore highway while this one right at the exit of Hospet Chitradurga highway witnesses moderate to lower traffic even on weekends and hence one can avoid reaching the crowded places.

Hello. I am planning a drive from Mumbai to Chitradurga and Chikkamagalur and back. Reading a lot of recent posts on this forum, it gives me an impression that the pune-solapur-bijapur-hospet-chitradurga route is currently a better alternative to our regular satara-kolpaur-hubli route. Is that true for people like me driving down from Mumbai too. In the past i have experienced it takes 2 hrs to cross pune city from east to west. I dont mind moving traffic but dont want bad roads and huge jams!

I had specifically 2 queries:

1. I will be driving a baleno manual (new gen) and would like to avoid bad roads/potholes. i dont mind diversions but huge potholes, no roads and being stuck endlessly in jams are a big NO for me. (recently in feb this year i was stuck for 3 hours near manor on mumbai - ahmedabad highway). considering this will bijapur route be better or are the road conditions on diversions on the satara route manageable by cars like baleno.
2. is the chitraduraga-hospet-bijapur-solapur stretch safe in late evening and early morning?

Your inputs will be helpful.

[sumukha]

Originally Posted by ar.abc

Hello. I am planning a drive from Mumbai to Chitradurga and Chikkamagalur and back. Reading a lot of recent posts on this forum, it gives me an impression that the pune-solapur-bijapur-hospet-chitradurga route is currently a better alternative to our regular satara-kolpaur-hubli route. Is that true for people like me driving down from Mumbai too. In the past i have experienced it takes 2 hrs to cross pune city from east to west. I dont mind moving traffic but dont want bad roads and huge jams!

I had specifically 2 queries:

1. I will be driving a baleno manual (new gen) and would like to avoid bad roads/potholes. i dont mind diversions but huge potholes, no roads and being stuck endlessly in jams are a big NO for me. (recently in feb this year i was stuck for 3 hours near manor on mumbai - ahmedabad highway). considering this will bijapur route be better or are the road conditions on diversions on the satara route manageable by cars like baleno.
2. is the chitraduraga-hospet-bijapur-solapur stretch safe in late evening and early morning?

Your inputs will be helpful.

I drove from Indore to Bangalore via solapur ,Vijayapur and chitrdurga on 4th sept.Its all through good road with less traffic. As I do not drive after 8 pm I have no experience, however I started @ 5 am on 5th from Vijayapura towards chitradurga and it was absolutely OK. The only issue is searching a decent hotel for break Fast. I found a reasonably OK hotel on the highway in Ilakal town, near the bus stand.

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by ar.abc

Mumbai to Chitradurga
...
1. I will be driving a baleno manual (new gen) and would like to avoid bad roads/potholes.
...
2. is the chitraduraga-hospet-bijapur-solapur stretch safe in late evening and early morning?

Solapur - Vijaypura - Hospet - Chitradurga is a breeze, there is no bad stretch apart from some near Hungund after crossing the Krishna, some potholes that are avoidable and might require you to switch lanes and reduce speed to 60-70 for 15-20 kms. Nothing to worry.

The real challenge for you would be to cross Pune and come to the Solapur side, from the expressway. Refer this thread (towards the end) for details on how to cross the city from West to East.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...-eateries.html (Bangalore - Pune - Mumbai : Route updates & Eateries)

As for safety, there is absolutely no issues however all the general rules of safe driving on any Indian highways after dark will also apply here.