[mashmash]

Originally Posted by Arka

I am thinking of driving from Bangalore to Bhubaneswar, shortly. In a dilemma, and am trying to decide between Bangalore-Hyderabad-Vijayawada and Bangalore-Tirupati-Vijayawada. I am a sedate driver and seldom exceed 100 kmph even on the best of highways. What would you suggest, based on the current road conditions on these two routes?

When are you traveling? I am planning a drive till Visakhapatnam on 26 Dec. I had done this drive in Jan 2014 and the route taken was via Hyderabad. Really happy with that route. Its comparatively faster and safer I feels since its through out 2 lane highway with a divider in between.

However, here again to check if things have changed and whether any other route is as fast and safe? Suggestions are welcome.


MaSh

[Arka]

Originally Posted by mashmash

When are you traveling? I am planning a drive till Visakhapatnam on 26 Dec. I had done this drive in Jan 2014 and the route taken was via Hyderabad. Really happy with that route. Its comparatively faster and safer I feels since its through out 2 lane highway with a divider in between.

However, here again to check if things have changed and whether any other route is as fast and safe? Suggestions are welcome.

MaSh

Hello MaSh,

I did Bangalore-Tirupati-Vijayawada on Dec 20. First 100 clicks, till the KA-AP border, is as good as the best that I have driven on. The next 250, or so, till Nayudupeta is a two-lane undivided highway, that could have been better. Actually, a lot better. Add crazy drivers to it and it becomes potent mix. My first sight of NH5 was akin to an oasis in a desert.

The (a) KA-AP border to Nayudupeta, (b) Kolaghat to South Kolkata, were the two most draining stretches during my drive to Kolkata.

I plan to take the Vijayawada-Hyderabad-Bangalore route during my return trip in a week's time.

Good luck with your trip! Have a safe one.

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by Arka

I plan to take the Vijayawada-Hyderabad-Bangalore route during my return trip in a week's time.

Long detour imo,unless you need to be in Hyd.

[mashmash]

Originally Posted by Arka

Hello MaSh,

I did Bangalore-Tirupati-Vijayawada on Dec 20. First 100 clicks, till the KA-AP border, is as good as the best that I have driven on. The next 250, or so, till Nayudupeta is a two-lane undivided highway, that could have been better. Actually, a lot better. Add crazy drivers to it and it becomes potent mix. My first sight of NH5 was akin to an oasis in a desert.

The (a) KA-AP border to Nayudupeta, (b) Kolaghat to South Kolkata, were the two most draining stretches during my drive to Kolkata.

I plan to take the Vijayawada-Hyderabad-Bangalore route during my return trip in a week's time.

Good luck with your trip! Have a safe one.

Thank You for the update. That was exactly the case in Jan too which made me opt for the Hyderabad route. I shall take the same route again this time.

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Long detour imo,unless you need to be in Hyd.

Ranjit, I feel it's worth it.

[Arka]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Long detour imo,unless you need to be in Hyd.

Hello Ranjit,

Like MaSh and Goandude have said in their last posts on this thread, I guess it might be less draining to take the Hyd route. I will know for myself shortly and will post an update on my experience.

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by Arka

Hello Ranjit,

Like MaSh and Goandude have said in their last posts on this thread, I guess it might be less draining to take the Hyd route. I will know for myself shortly and will post an update on my experience.

Your tentative drive times from VJA to BLR via HYD should be as below:

VJA-HYD : 3hrs

NH9-NH7: 60mins (Take the Outer Ring Road from NH9 to NH7 at SHamshabad )

Shamshabad-Devanahalli Airport Turnoff: 6-6.5hrs

[yogee]

I may be travelling to Kodad in Telangana in few days from Bangalore. I wanted to travel by the highlighted route below. Need inputs regarding the road condition and food options en-route. First of all, whether its a good idea to take this route or stick to the route via Hyderabad.

[JoseVijay]

Originally Posted by yogee

I may be travelling to Kodad in Telangana in few days from Bangalore. I wanted to travel by the highlighted route below. Need inputs regarding the road condition and food options en-route. First of all, whether its a good idea to take this route or stick to the route via Hyderabad.

The best route would be through Hyderabad ORR - Exit at Pedda Amberpet towards Vijayawada. It takes you just 3 hours from the exit of ORR. You may budget a total of 9 to 10 hours from Bangalore to Kodada.

[yogee]

Originally Posted by JoseVijay

The best route would be through Hyderabad ORR - Exit at Pedda Amberpet towards Vijayawada...

Thanks JoseVijay, i also agree that travelling via Hyderabad would be best route in terms of time and road conditions. But my idea is to explore new roads and here the distance is also less by 100 km so just wanted to explore the possibilities of this route via Madanpalle-Kadapa-Miryalaguda if the road condition is fair enough. 2 extra hours of driving time will not be an issue if the road is good.

[JoseVijay]

Originally Posted by yogee

Thanks JoseVijay, i also agree that travelling via Hyderabad would be best route in terms of time and road conditions. But my idea is to explore new roads and here the distance is also less by 100 km so just wanted to explore the possibilities of this route via Madanpalle-Kadapa-Miryalaguda if the road condition is fair enough. 2 extra hours of driving time will not be an issue if the road is good.

I remember travelling this route by bus in 2001. But that was from Vijayawada, Narsaroapet, Marakapuram and Kadapa. It took 13 hours for the bus to reach Kadapa from Vijayawada. Back in 2001, the roads were very bad.

Actually speaking, the route you wanted to take is an unusal one, I mean not many dare to take that route as they are not aware of the road conditions. You may try the route and update us though.

[hillsnrains]

Originally Posted by yogee

I may be travelling to Kodad in Telangana in few days from Bangalore. I wanted to travel by the highlighted route below. Need inputs regarding the road condition and food options en-route. First of all, whether its a good idea to take this route or stick to the route via Hyderabad.

Attachment 1338762

I must say the route you are planning is shortest (almost straight line), but it may take minimum 3 hrs extra than conventional route like BLR-HYD-Kodad. Travel duration shown by Google maps is very optimistic and roads in AP are not in great shape. Moreover this route passes through many villages and small towns, where you may have to face mobile speed breakers (cattle/sheep). This will reduce your speed significantly and need lot of energy to stay focused.

Coming to your query I have traveled between the following towns/cities
1. BLR-Madanapalle : Still 4 lane work is in progress with some completed patches
2. Markapur-Macherla-Nagarjuna Sagar-Karempudi-Vinukonda : This is having small overlap with your route. Roads around Markapur are mostly two lanes w/o divider and some parts are in bad shape.

I will drive from Bangalore to Ongole in every 3-4 months. Every time I will think of taking the route you are planning, but to spend more time at home we always differ the route via Kadapa and choose the fastest route i.e Via Tirupati.

[yogee]

Originally Posted by JoseVijay

...You may try the route and update us though.

If i dare to take that route, I will definitely update it here.

Originally Posted by hillsnrains

...
Coming to your query I have traveled between the following towns/cities
1. BLR-Madanapalle : Still 4 lane work is in progress with some completed patches
2. Markapur-Macherla-Nagarjuna Sagar-Karempudi-Vinukonda : This is having small overlap with your route. Roads around Markapur are mostly two lanes w/o divider and some parts are in bad shape.
...

Thanks hillsnrains, I expect the route upto kadapa to be in good condition but not sure about the further route. Also my worries are that i'm travelling with family including small kids. So the route need to be safe and have few good food options. So unless someone gives updates on the road conditions, I may not opt for this route.

[JoseVijay]

Originally Posted by yogee

If i dare to take that route, I will definitely update it here.



Thanks hillsnrains, I expect the route upto kadapa to be in good condition but not sure about the further route. Also my worries are that i'm travelling with family including small kids. So the route need to be safe and have few good food options. So unless someone gives updates on the road conditions, I may not opt for this route.

Since you are travelling with kids, why don't you take the Hyderabad ORR - Vijayawada highway which is very safe and good? You can as well have lunch in "7" at Suyapet. Kodada is very near to Suryapet.

[hillsnrains]

Originally Posted by yogee

Also my worries are that i'm travelling with family including small kids. So the route need to be safe and have few good food options. So unless someone gives updates on the road conditions, I may not opt for this route.

The major towns/cities you pass through are Madanapalle, Kadapa, Markapur, Macherla and Miryalaguda. On a lighter note all the above places starts with letter “M”
Out of the above list only Kadapa is district head quarter and all other places are Mandal/Taluka head quarters. So do not expect fancy restaurants but you will get decent quality Andhra food. The only issue is to identify the best hotel with toilets in those towns, which can be found by inquiring locally.
I do not see any issues with safety on this route. In fact people from small villages and towns are more helpful than those from metro cities, because they treat us as guests.

I will take this route for sure during my next trip

[yogee]

Originally Posted by hillsnrains

...
I will take this route for sure during my next trip

Thanks hillsnrains, Although I'm not sure what to expect on this route, I'm going ahead and taking this route this friday. I'll update about the road conditions so that you can decide on taking this route for your next trip.