[Gaddi_waala300]

Hey, I'm having to change my plans due to office & will be taking a flight, seems like my driving to WB won't be fulfilled this time.
Thanks for the encouraging response though!

Originally Posted by ssjr0498

Mate, I leave on the morning of 14th to Kol! Let me know your plans!


Cheers
Shrey

[gurminder_81]

Quick update on Renigunta - Naidupet stretch.

I travelled today from this stretch despite google asking us to take left at Yerapadu.

Google showcased total time of 1 hr 45 mins to cover this stretch, but I could cover it in 1hr 25mins.

The good part of this route is that despite the road construction going on all along the route, the tarmac condition is good for almost 70-80% of the road journey. Even in the rest of 20-30% it's not really bad and only newly laid uneven patches and some broken road sections are there.

The bad and the worst part are the speed bumps which are available in wholesale. They are so frequent that you just cannot maintain any decent speed. Very annoying.

The other bad part is the traffic, specially the truck traffic. It is in abundance and along with long distance trucks carrying goods a lot of slow moving trucks carrying cement blocks for the bridges slow down the traffic considerably.

Travel time: 5PM to 6:25PM.

After joining NH16, the tarmac is smooth, but still a lot of truck traffic, at least till Nellore, where I took a break after starting in the afternoon from BLR.

[pravarag]

I finished Kolkata to Bangalore yesterday, started on 27th Morning from Kolkata with 2 halts in Bhubaneswar and Vijaywada. Pretty much the same route, but just before Nellore GMaps automatically re-routed us to take a smaller route skipping Tirupathi. I realized this after crossing 100 Kms off the route, took a turn again to Thirupathi and still managed to reach Bangalore around same time .

Be careful once you cross Kavali and better to go with Nellore continue on Nh 16 for a while.

The other route will take you off Nh16 before Nellore and move from Kadapa, Chintamani. While going I was very careful not take this one but somehow slipped my mind during return journey.

[touring_spirit]

Planning to start on 23rd December to Kolkata and return on the 4th of Jan with my pet. What are some good rest-stops along the way? Any COCO/good petrol bunks that people have shortlisted. Planning two stops, one at Rajamundhry and Bhubaneswar. Have gone through this thread, but any more updates on the recent state of roads is appreciated.

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by touring_spirit

What are some good rest-stops along the way? Any COCO/good petrol bunks that people have shortlisted ... any more updates on the recent state of roads is appreciated.

Pitstops
Kamat Hosaruchi, Narasapura (Empire in same complex)
A5 Food Court, Gudur (after Budhanam Toll Plaza)
Delhi Highway (before Ongole) - Almost fine dining experience on the highway, though it is veg restaurant.
One Food Court, Annavaram

Not many options between Vizag and OD Border, only a few restaurants attached to COCO bunks which can offer usable washrooms of the bunks (which are mostly locked and you have to take a key from the attendant to use them).

After OD Border,
Some dhabas including Chilika Dhaba near Rambha, Barkul, and Balugaon
Some restaurants on Kharagpur Bypass
Azad Hind Dhaba, Uluberia

COCO Pumps
KA
IOCL COCO, Narasapura

AP
BP COCO, Ulavapadu, Ongole
BP COCO, Ongole (opp. side)
IOCL COCO, Diwancheruvu (RJY Bypass)
IOCL COCO, Bendapudi, Annavaram (opp. side)
BP COCO, Yelamanchili
BP COCO, Kasimkota (just before Anakapalle, opp. side)

OD
BP COCO, Girisola (4-5 kms after border)
IOCL COCO, Rambha
IOCL COCO, Khorda-BBSR highway (opp. side)
IOCL COCO, Chhatia
IOCL COCO, Hasnabad (opp. side)
IOCL COCO, Baleshwar (has on both sides a km apart)

WB
IOCL Swagat Sonakania (just 3 kms after border).
BP COCO Uluberia (next to Azad Hind Dhaba, opp. side)

Fuel prices are KA < WB < OD < AP, so we can plan accordingly, i.e. tankful at Narasapura, Girisola, and Sonakania.

Roads
I returned in first week of Nov. Nothing to complain, apart from Tirupati-Naidupeta though some stretches are open including service roads that have oncoming traffic separated. Was able to cover the stretch of 70 kms in 70 mins, which is good enough given under construction.

Between Nellore and Tangutur (the toll plaza with restaurant atop), keep mostly to the 3rd lane as deep ruts have formed in the other 2 lanes. due to overweight trucks.

Vijayawada might take an hour to cross on a bad day, so plan accordingly, since RJY is already about 850 kms from BLR. Hopefully, could see a bypass being built at Gannavaram (Airport).

Vizag bypass is a delight. OD still has 3-4 diversions up to BBSR, especially around Khorda, and about 60 kms of bad/ one way roads and diversions between Soro, and after Baleshwar till NH60 section of tolled road starts.

Note that Vidyasagar Setu is closed for trucks for 8 months, which may extend to all vehicles at some point. You may have to take Bally Bridge or Howrah Bridge.

[touring_spirit]

Originally Posted by mayukh42

Pitstops
Kamat Hosaruchi, Narasapura (Empire in same complex)
.

I am planning to go in my Figo Aspire. Is it doable?

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by touring_spirit

I am planning to go in my Figo Aspire. Is it doable?

Of course. You won't even scrape underbody in any part of the road. But be careful of two nasty bumpers at the railway crossing in Baleshwar bypass. They are negotiable, just don't let them catch you off guard.

[touring_spirit]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DiyyePyHuSBySwZr9?g_st=iw

Have made this list based on your input above. Can make this list open to edit. Some COCOs i wasn't sure off. Needs more rest stops. Bhpians with pets can also add the stops they prefer. May be a separate list can be made for pet friendly stops.

[touring_spirit]

What would be a great place for breakfast near Tirupati and Renugunta ?

[Sidban85]

Originally Posted by touring_spirit

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DiyyePyHuSBySwZr9?g_st=iw

Have made this list based on your input above. Can make this list open to edit. Some COCOs i wasn't sure off. Needs more rest stops. Bhpians with pets can also add the stops they prefer. May be a separate list can be made for pet friendly stops.

Which hotels will you stay in at BBR? Pet friendly.

[touring_spirit]

Originally Posted by Sidban85

Which hotels will you stay in at BBR? Pet friendly.

Staying at Vivanta DN Square. It's on the highway. There is a pet friendly Airbnb which is quite famous in the pet circles. I will try post it here.

[touring_spirit]

https://abnb.me/C4bdwxIuEFb

This is a highly rated pet friendly Airbnb in bbsr.

[Sidban85]

So I ventured till Vishakapatnam. I did not find any good pet friendly hotels or Airbnb (e.g. one shared above) in Bhubaneswar so enjoyed the sea and sands and planning to go back.

BTW if you are looking at Vizag, do note that The Park Vizag is amongst the worst hotels for pets or in fact any branded hotels I have stayed in. The staff are really unfriendly, almost looking at floor to avert gaze when one is with pet. In general, the hotel needs maintenance: door locks don't work, bed linen is torn, lawns are strewn with garbage hours after some event happened there, etc. There is a dirty nullah emptying right next to it on beach, so I would even be careful about getting in the water. And they don't have enough parking for hotel guest, since it is always crowded with outsiders visiting some sale, etc.

For travelling with pet, Winsar Park was a much better experience last year. Maybe if someone stays in Bheemli Resort Accor, they can share their review.

[touring_spirit]

Taj Vivanta Bhubaneswar is a very pet friendly place. Stayed at River Bay Resort, Rajamundry. Was decent, a bit rundown but acceptable and has a lot of footfall. It's on the banks of the Godavari.

[JavaTraveller]

Just finished my Bangalore to Kolkata trip. Had to travel 4 times on this stretch in the last 1.5 months. I wanted to share a few small updates on this route.


Renigunta - Gudur stretch -

Although Google Maps will recommend taking the left from Yerpadu and merging with NH16 at Gudur passing through Venkatgiri, I would suggest heading to Naidupeta instead and then merging into NH16 from there. I took the Naidupeta route thrice and in my final run, thought of taking the Venkatgiri to explore this route and to see if this route has improved or not(I Had taken this same route in Jan 2023, and it was in bad shape in that time). But I regretted taking this route as soon as I entered through the Gudur town. The road from Gudur to Venkatgiri is full of potholes as of December 2023 1st week. And there are some places where you can't avoid falling into one as those are spread across the full width of the road. Post Venkatigiri, the road smoothens with occasional diversions, but the drive is smooth otherwise. But the real pain would be the Gudur to Venkatgiri stretch. Instead, the Naidupeta stretch is more or less the same with multiple diversions and frequent speed breakers, but there are fewer chances of scraping the bottom of your car. Also, considering the difference between the kilometers and the time needed to cover both stretches, I feel the Naidupeta stretch is more hassle-free.



Rajamahendravaram -

Stick to NH16 and take the Godavari 4th Bridge if you are not planning to go inside Rajamahendravaram city.



Visakhapatnam -

Stick to NH16 (Vizag Bypass - From Anakapalle to Anandapuram) if you are not planning to go inside the Visakhapatnam city. This highway is now fully operational and with very little traffic.



Orissa -

The Bhadrak to Balasore stretch is still having few diversions as the road work is still going on. Try to maintain some gap from the heavy vehicles on the broken roads as you may feel the small stones hitting your car which may chip the paintwork. Happened to me twice.

Also, do maintain the 80kmph speed limit as much as possible between the Bhadrak to Rambha stretch at least to avoid any surprise overspeeding challans. Although it is easier to spot overhead speed cams from a distance, it will be more difficult to spot the speed cams manned from inside the vans which are strategically placed at a few points, where you will be mostly on a downhill straight stretch right after a curve, and it will be too late for you to spot the van by then.



West Bengal -

Beware of a few diversions in between the Dantan - Kharagpur stretch. Also, saw the most number of roadkills on this stretch. So, anticipate and be ready to encounter animals jumping before you. Not to forget about the almost invisible (at night) road barriers placed in the middle of the road (zig-zag pattern) without many reflective stickers on them. Mostly, you will see them until midnight. Didn't find them early in the morning(2:00 AM - 3:00 AM).



Pet Friendly Option -

Stayed twice at this BnB in Visakhapatnam, which I would say is a decent option on a budget. If you just need to spend a night, you can go for it. https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/54334...ssfqUF9G%2B19G