[NihilisticLogic]

Here is the query: ( I apologize in advance if there is any confusion/ weirdness with the post, its my first. )

I will be getting about a week off from the 12th of November, I was wondering if it is possible to do the 5000 Km in 10 days.

I will be leaving from madurai and will have to return. I am not in particular concern with spending time in any place along the route except for maybe a day or 2 in kolkata.

The road through NH5 seems like an expressway all the way to kolkata except for 100Km ( got the details from the NHAI website ). Madurai - chennai is smooth with the new 4 lane highway.

So the plan is 500-600Km for 8 days with a break for 2 days. Is this possible on this route?

( Extra details, not related to the above question )

Although I registered a month ago, I was a bit apprehensive about posting. I bought the safari ex 4x4 after reading a lot of threads here and test driving it among other vehicles.
The main reason for buying the vehicle was to take a trip around the length of india, from kanyakumari to leh; the same reason I registered; so I could ask about the routes to the best auto community I've ever seen on the net.

Sorry for the lack of an intro post, but this would have to suffice for now.
I know not many would read this, but this place is amazing, thank you for all the information and smiles.

Since this post is boring all the way through, I've attached a photo of the vehicle.

[hvkumar]

You can check out the route details for Madras-Calcutta in the following link:

GOLDEN QUADRILATERAL 2008 - hvkumar | Google Groups

The route is Madras-Tada-Nellore-Ongole-Guntur-Vijaywada-Eluru-Rajahmundry-Annavaram-Vizag-Srikakulam-Ichchapuram-Behrampur-Balugaon-Bhubaneswar-Bhadrak-Baleshwar-Jaleshwar-Kharagpur-Calcutta, which is 1,800 kms.

The entire stretch is 4-laned except for the following stretches:
120 kms between Ichchapuram (AP-OR border) and Bhalugaon, before Bhubaneswar
50 kms between Bhadrak and Baleshwar

Road conditions are good throughout except in the 2-laned sections where road is patchy and has bumps.

Doing the drive in 2 days will call for some aggressive driving, with early morning starts (say, before 4 am) and late evening halts.

It is around 900 kms which should be an ideal place to halt on Day 1. On Day 2, you can reach Calcutta if you keep the same pace.

Facilities are good throughout; however, bear in mind that most large towns are bypassed and food facilities are limited. Petrol stations are also few and far between, so you must ensure that you have a range of at least 100 kms in your fuel tank at all times.

Safety is not an issue. Traffic is moderate, almost all of it trucks.

Congested sections are Madras-Gummidipundi, Vijaywada city (bypass is congested), Vizag city (NH5 is congested), Bhalugaon, Bhubaneswar city, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack.

The final drive to Calcutta is along the fantastic Kon Expressway.

You can read about the WB-OR-AP-TN sections in teh tarvelogue that was written about our GQ Drive.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...s-6000kms.html

[NihilisticLogic]

I had almost given up hopes of making the trip due to time constraints, but you have brought it all back from the brink. Although I am not entirely decided yet, I might try and wing it.

Major gratitude for the reply and effort. The resources you linked to are fantastic. I know not how you bring yourself to type out such a long reply to somebody you do not even know of, but I wish I was as kind. Thanks again!