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-   -   Bangalore to Velankanni : Route Queries (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/34526-bangalore-velankanni-route-queries-25.html)

Are you referring to Trichy-Tollgate-Musiri?
I took the Trichy-Kulithalai-Bridge on Cauvery-Thottiam which doesn't touch Musiri. I did not encounter any truck traffic on this stretch.

Understood. And yes I was referring to toll gate. I will probably try the Kulithalai. But still cross Namakal is peak traffic is the other problem.

I found Budan Santhai-Senthamangalam-Alnganatham to be a great option is also a road well done.

Planning to drive down to Velankanni (from Bangalore) on Friday (07-Feb-2024) early morning. Google Maps shows the default route via Chidambaram - Karaikal with a driving time of ~8.5 hours.

The alternate route via Salem - Thanjavur is some 45 km - 45 min longer.

Any suggestions on what would be a good route?

Hey Glifford,
I had completed my annual trip from Bombay to Velankanni last summer. Hence, I will be sharing my inputs from the time I travelled. I used the following route from Bangalore which is known to be a default route taken by most travellers travelling to Velankanni.

Bangalore - Hosur - Krishnagiri - Salem - Attur - Chidambaram - Karaikal - Velankanni

This route is very good for the most part. From Bangalore to Attur 4 Lane Highway. After Attur to Chidambaram is a Single lane road. Chidambaram to Sirkali is a new constructed concrete 4 Lane Highway. After Sirkali you may encounter few diversions and after that head on to Karaikal - Velankanni road which is a Single Lane Highway passing through all towns and Villages.

When I reached Velankanni to the place of stay last summer, the hotel owner did suggest me to use the Salem - Trichy - Thanjavur route as the roads there were in better conditions and you would have more of 4 Lane Highways.

The shortest route that is:
Hosur - Krishnagiri - Tiruvannamalai - Virudhachalam - Chidambaram - Karaikal - Velankanni is more of a Single Lane road right from Krishnagiri as you head onto Tiruvannamalai. Krishnagiri - Tiruvannamalai has a good road condition even though it is a single lane road. I had travelled through this road on my way back from Pondicherry and found it decent during the day but during night avoid it at all costs since there were no lights and overtaking on a single lane road at night can be difficult and dangerous. I am unaware of the Tiruvannamalai - Virudhachalam route. Hence, would suggest you to stick to the two route I mentioned above. Safe travels!

Thanks @tharian & @ampere.

Quick question - any recommendation between the two below.





in 2022 did "Velankanni - Thruthuraipoondi - Mannargudi - Thanjavur - Namakkal - Trichy - Salem - Hosur - Attibele and found it much better over the Salem - Namakkal - Trichy - Thanjavur - Thiruvarur - Velankanni.

In June last year, the second route is what I took and it was good all the way except for a short stretch nearing or after Musiri which was bumpy and narrow. But not a deal breaker. Also the last 10-15 kms to Nagapattinam was still the same narrow highway from where the new highway ended. Not sure if conditions have changed now but I would still stick to this route when I am going this year.

I would suggest : For Salem-Trichy: Salem - Budan Santhai - Senthamangalam - Alanganatham - Kannanur Nocihiyam - Toll gate

Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oxg2uA2fPcxJUb9M9

Thanks @ampere



The route you shared shows about 2:15 hrs, 96 kms.


This route says 2:20, 144 kms...

Just for getting your thoughts - First one is through state highways while second is through NH. Won't the NH be more predictable and wider roads?

If you are heading to Tanjore, this route is much better than Karur or Musiri as get it gets you to Toll gate and easy exit to Tanjore. Besides one village crossing, this is a very peaceful route. (It also has a Shell on the way which you can use for break).

From Budasanthai to Senthamangalam you will have humps. But that apart its anyway not many people and route has hardly any traffic. Roads are also nicely done.

While Karur to Trichy is a wide 2-lane, but you deal with trucks and buses all the time.


Also please note: Since you asked for Salem to Velankanni: I mentioned about Thuraiyur. If you are still looking Bangalore-Velankanni, like Justus mentioned, the best route is via Thiruvannamalai. It bypasses all the madness from Krishngiri-Salem and Salem-Trihcy. You can directly make it to Kumbakonam.

Hi guys!

What's the best route currently to drive to Velankanni from Bangalore. Google maps is not suggesting the usual Salem route I used to travel on.

Planning to drive next weekend.

Thanks in advance.

Many have already mentioned (like Google) that the best option is now via Tiruvannamalai. Default Google suggests via Tiruvannamalai-Elavanasur-Mangalampettai-Vridhachalam-Chidambaram-Velankanni.


What I was thinking is to do: Thiruvannamalai-Villupuram-Cuddalore-Chidambaram-Velankanni. This gets you 4-lane all the way from Villupuram.

Route Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UWZ73FZUMEvkEbPR7

Thank you all for the feedback,

Did Whitefield, Bagalur, Salem, Karur, Tanjore, Thiruvarur, Vailankanni - https://maps.app.goo.gl/cEqoQ2DTC1CMXmn19

530 kms - 8 hours - Left at 6 AM

Stopped at Sai Sangeet for breakfast - https://g.co/kgs/xUKYfma - would give them a 3.5*



Return did - Vailankanni - Thiruvarur - Tanjore - Salem, Attibele - Whitefield
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mnsuXGBxSc9xTYWQ8

475 kms - 9 hours - left at 10 AM

Stopped at Saravana Bhavan Aasai Dosai - https://g.co/kgs/CPw1VzE would give them a 4*