[linuxmanju]

Originally Posted by ampere

Drive on 206 till Tarikere. Exit the road here to the SH to Hiriyur.

Perfect, that picture looks tempting. Will try that route on my next visit. Thanks for sharing.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by linuxmanju

Perfect, that picture looks tempting. Will try that route on my next visit. Thanks for sharing.

Please note the road quite broken in this stage. You can also take the NH13 to Chitradurga and drive to Hiriyur on the 4-lane. The dam location is about 11km from the 4-lane.

[shishir_bn]

Around 15 days back too this road to SHimogga

Bangalore-CHitradurga-Chennagiri-Shimogga.

Chitradurga until Shimogga is very good. You can take it as 95% to 5% with 95% being good roads. Also the surrounding nature adds a good view factor. Vehicle plying on this road is also very less.

Thanks to @ampere for giving the info on this road before the trip

[ampere]

Originally Posted by shishir_bn

Chitradurga until Shimogga is very good. You can take it as 95% to 5% with 95% being good roads. Also the surrounding nature adds a good view factor. Vehicle plying on this road is also very less.

Thanks Shishir. This is exactly the reason, to take the Chitradurga-Shimoga option. Decent roads, less traffic and good views! What more to ask for?

I remember many mentioning the stretches around Channagiri are quite bad as of date. No work on that section?

[shishir_bn]

Originally Posted by ampere

I remember many mentioning the stretches around Channagiri are quite bad as of date. No work on that section?

At many places they have expanded the road. Even the footpath is made at level with the road. May be some places might get damaged in the coming rainfall season. But even then I have seen those M800, Alto's zipping across in 100kmph.

[JLN]

Originally Posted by shishir_bn

At many places they have expanded the road. Even the footpath is made at level with the road. May be some places might get damaged in the coming rainfall season. But even then I have seen those M800, Alto's zipping across in 100kmph.

I did a trip to Shimoga last weekend - took the Bangalore-Chitradurga-Channagiri-Shimoga route on the way up. Chitradurga-Shimoga is OK, but the road is slowly coming apart - I would now say 80% good roads, 20% iffy. Still the traffic is very low and the drive is comfortable. Watchout for unexpected potholes too.

On the way back, we took the Shimoga-Tumkur route - painful drive all the way (roads were good), but traffic was painful to drive through (2 wheelers pretty the entire way) making overtaking impossible. The Tumkur bypass to NH4 is bad and patchy.

I would recommend the Chitradurga route for now.

[lancer_rit]

Originally Posted by JLN

I would recommend the Chitradurga route for now.

How was the time difference between the two routes you took ? Is it similar ?

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by lancer_rit

How was the time difference between the two routes you took ? Is it similar ?

Via Chitrtadurga is quicker if you have a fast car as nearly 200 kms is on four/ six laned NH4. THis route adds about 30 kms. The way I see it, 30 kms on the Tumkur - CHitradurga six lane is about 15 mins . The BH road passes through lots of towns and denser population which not only slows you down but also tires you as a driver.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by lancer_rit

How was the time difference between the two routes you took ? Is it similar ?

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Via Chitrtadurga is quicker if you have a fast car as nearly 200 kms is on four/ six laned NH4. THis route adds about 30 kms. The way I see it, 30 kms on the Tumkur - CHitradurga six lane is about 15 mins . The BH road passes through lots of towns and denser population which not only slows you down but also tires you as a driver.

+1. Going through the town on 206 takes away quite some time. Meanwhile once on the 4-lane you can just eat up that distance in no time. Its much more easier to cruise without the hassle of entering any town.

Chitradurga also has an easy exit route. You just need to know where to exit the 4-lane.

[meetbadri]

Originally Posted by ampere

+1. Going through the town on 206 takes away quite some time. Meanwhile once on the 4-lane you can just eat up that distance in no time. Its much more easier to cruise without the hassle of entering any town.

Chitradurga also has an easy exit route. You just need to know where to exit the 4-lane.

The road between Chitradurga and Shimoga is pain to drive. The roads are very narrow and the private busses travelling here are very rash. All time saved in 4 lane strech is eaten this road. I usually travel to Sagar and Sirsi (almost once in couple of months) and take NH 206 (BH Road) and reach Shimoga well in 4 Hours. Its just that I leave in ealry morning times by 6 and reach Shimoga by 10.

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by meetbadri

The road between Chitradurga and Shimoga is pain to drive. The roads are very narrow and the private busses travelling here are very rash. All time saved in 4 lane strech is eaten this road. I usually travel to Sagar and Sirsi (almost once in couple of months) and take NH 206 (BH Road) and reach Shimoga well in 4 Hours. Its just that I leave in ealry morning times by 6 and reach Shimoga by 10.

For Sirsi, nothing beats the BLR - Haveri - Hanagal - Sirsi route. I do BLR - Sirsi in about 5 to 5 1/2 hrs

[meetbadri]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

For Sirsi, nothing beats the BLR - Haveri - Hanagal - Sirsi route. I do BLR - Sirsi in about 5 to 5 1/2 hrs

I have taken almost same time even on NH 206. I have my in laws staying in Sagar and my home town is near Sirsi. Had to visit both the places and the total driving time on NH 206 was almost 5 hours and 40 Minutes from Bangalore to Sirsi with tea break in Tumkur, Breakfast at Kadur and Lunch at Sagar. I get bored when I drive on NH 4, there is noting except road no greenary at all. Also I believe paying toll is not worth for that road.

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by meetbadri

I have taken almost same time even on NH 206. I have my in laws staying in Sagar and my home town is near Sirsi. Had to visit both the places and the total driving time on NH 206 was almost 5 hours and 40 Minutes from Bangalore to Sirsi with tea break in Tumkur, Breakfast at Kadur and Lunch at Sagar. I get bored when I drive on NH 4, there is noting except road no greenary at all. Also I believe paying toll is not worth for that road.

Do you mean 5 hrs 40 mins including 3 breaks or excluding the breaks? Even if you assume each break takes just 20 mins, you lose 1 hour. I believe BLR - Sirsi in 4 hrs 40 mins is not possible via NH 206.

Haveri to Hangal is in a bad state after rains. But the good news is a new double road is being constructed. Once that is done, it will cut down another 1/2 hour travel time to Sirsi. I prefer NH4 as it is much safer compared to the two laned NH 206. Also it is a much more stress free drive.

BTW my in-laws are in Sirsi and my native town is Kumta. So I have traveled quite extensively on these roads.

[meetbadri]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Do you mean 5 hrs 40 mins including 3 breaks or excluding the breaks? Even if you assume each break takes just 20 mins, you lose 1 hour. I believe BLR - Sirsi in 4 hrs 40 mins is not possible via NH 206.

Haveri to Hangal is in a bad state after rains. But the good news is a new double road is being constructed. Once that is done, it will cut down another 1/2 hour travel time to Sirsi. I prefer NH4 as it is much safer compared to the two laned NH 206. Also it is a much more stress free drive.

BTW my in-laws are in Sirsi and my native town is Kumta. So I have traveled quite extensively on these roads.

5 hours and 40 minutes excluding my breaks. I usually take a bit long break of more than 2 hours in Sagar. You might know how a typical Havyaka In laws behave when their son is law is at their place especially when we go with wife.

And Yes I have driven on NH 206 continuously to Sirsi from Bangalore twice with only one break at Shimoga for a Cofee and the total travel time was about 5 hours and 48 minutes including my break at Shimoga (Just to clarify I donot cross 100 KMPH on any road)

[vinya_jag]

Few months back I did this stretch Blr -> Tiptur -> Shimoga -> Sagar in flat 4 hrs and 20 mins, with just 2 bio breaks. Off course I started Bangalore at 3:30 AM (by 7:50AM I was at Sagar). I usually take this route. Except for 500 mtrs, entire 400km stretch is in good condition.

The problem with Chitradurga highway is, whatever the time we saved in 6 lanes will go at toll booths if we happen to drive at peak time. Eateries are less in this stretch. Also fuel consumption wise its nightmare

Based on my experience, if we start early in the morning, then NH 206 is best both economy and time wise.

BTW my native is near Sagar and my In laws place is near Sirsi. I agree if we are going directly to Sirsi, Durga- > Haveri -> Sirsi route is better.