[ashis89]

Originally Posted by androdev

Could you pls share a google map link for the above location? I'm not that familiar with the roads here. Thanks!

Gachibowli ORR entry: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TkYt4mg7T4ZY...s.preview.copy

Next option would be Shadnagar: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TikxnU4e24tZ...s.preview.copy

[SR-71]

Did a back to back round trip and here is my update on the current road conditions.

• 2x2 stretch throughout with smooth surfaces for the most part except for some patch work around Gooty.
• Did not encounter any potholes except on the couple of diversions where some construction is going on and is well marked. Be careful about a massive speed breaker that pops up without proper signage just before you enter the diversions on the Hyderabad - Bangalore stretch.
• Annoying and small but sharp rumblers on cross-road up to Anantapur, you have to slow down to crawling speed. On my way back, I worried being rear ended each time I slowed down as it was dark and raining heavily.
• Bangalore to Chikkabalapur bypass and Shadnagar to Hyderabad can be annoying with lot of city bound traffic creeping in.
• Took me 9 hours 15 minutes each way with 1 short and 1 long pitstop and cruise control set around 95 Kmph for most parts.
• Way less stressful to drive compared to the Bangalore - Chennai/Coimbatore (via Krishnagiri) and Bangalore - Goa/Pune stretch (via Hubli). I rate the Bangalore - Chennai / Coimbatore stretch the worst when it comes to driving stress.
• Tolls are far and few between but tend to be expensive. However, crossing each of them was a breeze with hardly any queue.
• Good restaurants near Ananthpur and Kurnool

[ankitsharma]

Will be doing Hyd -> Blr -> Hyd this weekend. Planning to leave around 4 AM tomorrow.
Any specific speed cams that one needs to be aware of ? Got 2 challans last year near Shadnagar. Do not want to repeat.

[vnabhi]

Folks

How is the route via OMR and Budigere that joins the STRR near Sulibele? I am planning to drive to Hyderabad in a couple of days. An early morning start around 6 AM from Carmelaram is what I have in mind.

When i checked at 6 AM today, it showed the traditional route via Marathahalli and Hebbal, and another 2 that merge with the normal route at Nandi Upachar Jn--one is the STRR via Hoskote that I have taken last year, and another via Budigere, which seemed to be the fastest and shortest at that point of time. I am aware that some people take that Budigere route to the airport, but how is the road condition? A year ago I read that it was having too many potholes and speed humps. Based on your inputs, I might take the STRR instead.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

How is the route via OMR and Budigere that joins the STRR near Sulibele? I am planning to drive to Hyderabad in a couple of days. An early morning start around 6 AM from Carmelaram is what I have in mind.

If you are starting at 6AM, I would say just go through the city. Its faster. (Sarjapur-Koramanagala-MG Road - Mekri Circle - Hebbal - Devanahalli

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by ampere

If you are starting at 6AM, I would say just go through the city. Its faster. (Sarjapur-Koramanagala-MG Road - Mekri Circle - Hebbal - Devanahalli

Thanks, you had mentioned this to me last year too. But I don't know why Google does not show this route.

[subbaraomr]

Originally Posted by SR-71

Did a back to back round trip and here is my update on the current road conditions.
[*]Good restaurants near Ananthpur and Kurnool[/list]

We are travelling next week. Could you please name the restaurants near Anantapur and Kurnool? Are they accessible from NH44 or does one have to take the service road?

[Swaminathan]

Originally Posted by subbaraomr

We are travelling next week. Could you please name the restaurants near Anantapur and Kurnool? Are they accessible from NH44 or does one have to take the service road?

There are many Dhaba style restaurants serving breakfast lunch just before Anantapur town (towards Hyderabad) on both sides of the Highway. Once you cross Anantapur, not many good restaurants. Although there are some mobile breakfast services on the road side all through this highway (I have never tried those in this highway).

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by Swaminathan

There are many Dhaba style restaurants serving breakfast lunch just before Anantapur town (towards Hyderabad) on both sides of the Highway. Once you cross Anantapur, not many good restaurants. Although there are some mobile breakfast services on the road side all through this highway (I have never tried those in this highway).

I've always used the mobile vans for breakfast. One gets hot idlies and dosas or puris there. And the biggest advantage is that you are done with breakfast in 15 minutes. I use petrol bunks for bio breaks, and have coffee in coffee/ tea kiosks, which are plenty between Anantapur and Kurnool. There are a few located at toll booths that serve decent coffee.

[sanchari]

Originally Posted by subbaraomr

We are travelling next week. Could you please name the restaurants near Anantapur and Kurnool? Are they accessible from NH44 or does one have to take the service road?

If you are travelling from Hyderabad, around 2-3 kms after you depart Anantpur, there is Paakashaala - run by Nandi Upachar. It is a decent pure veg restaurant. Had dosas and mini-thali there and it was good. Cleanly maintained. restrooms outside was in clean shape

[itwasntme]

How are the road conditions now? Have a potential work trip coming up, and was thinking of driving BLR-HYD-BLR in the next week.

[smsrini]

There seems to be a new food court - Big Bay around ChikkaBallapur.

Another food court on the Hyd->Blr side near Gooty attached to the Bharat Petroleum outlet near the Gates Academy, and then the relaunched Reliance Jio-bp after Dhone.

Overall road conditions are good. Took 9 hours Blr --> Hyd on the 11th Oct, due to higher than usual traffic - trucks and holiday traffic.

[mogambo]

Hi Folks - planning Bangalore (Bellandur) to Hyderabad (Hitech City) tomorrow with a stop at Belum Caves on the way. Hope to leave home (Bellandur) around 5.30am.
Lot of posts on this thread for breakfast stops so will look at that.
Any suggestions on what overall time I'm looking at to get to Hitech City?
First time on this route for me.

[finneyp]

Originally Posted by mogambo

Any suggestions on what overall time I'm looking at to get to Hitech City?
First time on this route for me.

Normally it takes around 9 hours. Just checked Belum Caves on GMaps, it takes 2.5 hrs from Anantapur. So add 5 hours to the 9 hours drive from Bangalore to Hyderabad.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by mogambo

Hi Folks - planning Bangalore (Bellandur) to Hyderabad (Hitech City) tomorrow with a stop at Belum Caves on the way. Hope to leave home (Bellandur) around 5.30am.
Lot of posts on this thread for breakfast stops so will look at that.
Any suggestions on what overall time I'm looking at to get to Hitech City?
First time on this route for me.

This wont be easy. I would say.. visit, Belum, Yaganti and plan to stay in Kurnool. Hit Hyderabad the next day. You will spend at least 4-5 hours on these visits.