[hothatchaway]

Originally Posted by atishpanda

Finally doing a Bangalore-Rajmundry-Jeypore tomorrow morning. Taking the Tirupati route. Booked Anand Regency at Rajahmundry. Will update more on road conditions.

Originally Posted by rajatmakar

Great ! Please update the road conditions. I am starting tomorrow morning towards Kolkata and also taking the Tirupati route.

hi
Please share your experience driving on this stretch, me planning to drive to Vizag from BLR later this month and contemplating between this one and one via Hyd. How is the stretch between Vijaywada and Vizag? Is it tolled 4 lane?

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by hothatchaway

hi
How is the stretch between Vijaywada and Vizag? Is it tolled 4 lane?

Yes, it is a part of the GQ that was 4-laned and tolled a decade ago. Problem is that it has deteriorated a bit between Vijaywada and Rajamundry. There is also more traffic on that part. However you can drive at 70 to 90 kmph for most of that stretch. The road condition improves from RJY onwards.

Estimate an hour to cross Vijaywada. Benz Circle and many junctions within the city will slow you down, unless you are crossing in the late hours.

[vnabhi]

Couple of my colleagues drove to Vizag/ Araku from Hyd and back in the last 2 weeks and have given the following updates:

1. Vijaywada bypass is better than the road that goes via the Kanakadurga temple and then via Eluru Road or Benz Circle. It takes around 40 minutes from the left turn at 'Welcome to Vijaywada' board to the NH5 towards Hanuman Jn.
2. It is better to go on the state highway via Kovvuru and Rajahmundry than the GQ NH5, as it is not only 40 kms shorter, but also recently re-laid. It is an undivided road, but speeds or 80 to 90 kmph are possible. Keep looking out for a board which says 'Kovvur 70 kms' and that is the spot where you have to take left onto an exit that is inclined upwards. If you miss it, you'll see another signboard that reads 'Rajajmundry 120 kms', which is longer route via NH5.
3. There is a new bridge across the Godavari at Kovvur and you need not go through Rajamundry town.The road directly takes you to the NH5 beyond Rajahmundry.
4. People going north of Vizag can take the bypass from Anakapalli to Anandapuram. The road is ok and helps avoid an hours's time driving through Vizag city. However, there are two narrow bridges over railway lines that are the only places you have to slow down.

[JoseVijay]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

Couple of my colleagues drove to Vizag/ Araku from Hyd and back in the last 2 weeks and have given the following updates:

1. Vijaywada bypass is better than the road that goes via the Kanakadurga temple and then via Eluru Road or Benz Circle. It takes around 40 minutes from the left turn at 'Welcome to Vijaywada' board to the NH5 towards Hanuman Jn.

That is some good news with regard to bypassing Vijayawada. Has the road been relaid recently? Last year I travelled on the stretch and the road was full of potholes.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by JoseVijay

That is some good news with regard to bypassing Vijayawada. Has the road been relaid recently? Last year I travelled on the stretch and the road was full of potholes.

I don't think it has been relaid, as it still has potholes. But it avoids the hassle of going through the narrow, pot-holed road near the Kanakadurga Temple, and also the pain of crossing many busy junctions within city limits.

I am told after one takes that bypass, one reaches a T Jn where one needs to turn right. The road then takes you via a couple of railway bridges and a tunnel before it merges with the NH5.

[Roady]

The stretch between Vijayawada and Vizag is pretty decent and you can maintain speed of 90+ kmph. There is lot of truck traffic which one needs to negotiate on this stretch. I did this while travelling to Kolkata 1.5 years back. And being part of GQ this is well maintained. Not too many options to eat (other than few dhabas) unless you enter the towns.

I drove from home at Royapettah, Chennai to Ginger, Bhubaneswar on 1/2 April 2015 via Nellore, Vijayawada, Vizag and Srikakulam on the beautiful 4/6 laned NH 5.





We had our dinner comprising packed idlies, tomato chutney and chilly powder with oil at BP Ghar Dhaba, Ongole bypass, washed down by tea at a road-side tea stall and continued our drive throughout the night.







Breakfast comprised the same food at BP COCOO and Ghar Dhaba at Yelamanchili near Vizag, where our XUV 500 too had tankful of diesel, costing ₹ 56.27/litre.



The NH 5 was very good with 6-laning completed on most of the stretches upto Vijayawada with construction still in progress for some bridges and flyovers.







We reached Ginger, Bhubaneswar under a heavy downpour at 2:44 pm on 2 April 2015 after driving 1,261 km - 1,275 km as per MapMyIndia! - in 22 hours.



In the return journey, we checked out of Ginger, Bhubaneswar, had sumptuous and yummy lunch at Priya, left at 3:30 pm on 20 April 2015 and reached home, sweet home at Royapettah, Chennai at 1 pm the next day.

[mashmash]

Hi,

Any one doing Bangalore - Vizag coming weekend? I would be taking the Hyderabad route.


MaSh

[Redeemer8]

Hi,

A bridge is being built on Godavari River which may reduce the distance between Hyderabad - Kolkata by about 300 kms !!

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nationa...cle7398647.ece

[ashis89]

I will be driving from Bhubaneswar to Hyderabad on October 5th in my WagonR. I intend to start early by 5-6am and end the day at Rajahmundry/Vijaywada depending upon my coverage. The rest would be covered the following day. Some queries:

1. How is the road condition in this route?

https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir/Ma...17.4770495!3e0

Is there a better alternative route?

2. Any recommendations for hotel to stay at Rajahmundry/Vijaywada? Required for 1 or guys and should not be very expensive but should be neat.

3. I intend to drive to drive till dusk (or 7pm) as these are unknown roads. Are the roads from Vijaywada to Hyderabad pitch perfect? I can stretch the drive to cover the whole distance and would prefer to rest for the day after reaching home in Hyderabad. Any ideas, suggestions or insights are welcome.

Thanks and regards,
Ashis

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by ashis89

1. How is the road condition in this route?

Is there a better alternative route?

2. Any recommendations for hotel to stay at Rajahmundry/Vijaywada? Required for 1 or guys and should not be very expensive but should be neat.

3. I intend to drive to drive till dusk (or 7pm) as these are unknown roads. Are the roads from Vijaywada to Hyderabad pitch perfect? I can stretch the drive to cover the whole distance and would prefer to rest for the day after reaching home in Hyderabad. Any ideas, suggestions or insights are welcome.

Thanks and regards,
Ashis

That route is the best. There is a shorter route from Rajamundry to Suryapet via Khammam, but that road is reportedly not great. Moreover, there are no recent updates on that alternate route. The one you've chosen is 4-laned all the way till Hyderabad.

The Vijaywada to Hyderabad stretch is better than the GQ that you'll be traveling on simply because it was 4-laned only 3 years ago compared to the GQ that is a decade old.

Please search this thread for hotels in RJY and BZA, I do remember seeing some posts.

Going by updates I got from my pals, it will take you around 6.5 hours of leisurely driving to Vizag from BBSR, and another 5 till Vijaywada. BZA to HYD is 4.5 hours.

[Unavowed_X9]

Originally Posted by ashis89

I will be driving from Bhubaneswar to Hyderabad on October 5th in my WagonR. I intend to start early by 5-6am and end the day at Rajahmundry/Vijaywada depending upon my coverage. The rest would be covered the following day. Some queries:

1. How is the road condition in this route?

https://www.google.co.in/maps/dir/Ma...17.4770495!3e0

Is there a better alternative route?

2. Any recommendations for hotel to stay at Rajahmundry/Vijaywada? Required for 1 or guys and should not be very expensive but should be neat.

3. I intend to drive to drive till dusk (or 7pm) as these are unknown roads. Are the roads from Vijaywada to Hyderabad pitch perfect? I can stretch the drive to cover the whole distance and would prefer to rest for the day after reaching home in Hyderabad. Any ideas, suggestions or insights are welcome.

Thanks and regards,
Ashis

Ashis.
Follow the regular route from Hyd to Vja. No detours required. The road is awesome. As a matter of fact, Hyd to Bbsr is doable in a day, provided u have an early start. Day 1: Dep 0700 Bbsr -> Arr Hyd 2330. Day 3: Dep 0600 Hyd -> Arr Bbsr 2100. I did it, there is no reason YOU cant.
As far as accomodation is concerned, there are plenty along the highway in Rjy as well as Vja. Ensure you dont get inside those cities, or you will lose precious time.
And btw, time, work and fellow members facilitating, would love to give you an ESCORT!
If you want to halt at all, halt at places before the city, so that you will get a traffic free city ahead when you start early morning.
Unavowed_X9

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

That route is the best. There is a shorter route from Rajamundry to Suryapet via Khammam, but that road is reportedly not great. Moreover, there are no recent updates on that alternate route. The one you've chosen is 4-laned all the way till Hyderabad.

The Vijaywada to Hyderabad stretch is better than the GQ that you'll be traveling on simply because it was 4-laned only 3 years ago compared to the GQ that is a decade old.

Please search this thread for hotels in RJY and BZA, I do remember seeing some posts.

Going by updates I got from my pals, it will take you around 6.5 hours of leisurely driving to Vizag from BBSR, and another 5 till Vijaywada. BZA to HYD is 4.5 hours.

Thanks for the route update. I will try to cover the whole distance in a day as I intend to start very early, 5-6 am. As per your estimates, I feel I can have my dinner at Hyderabad itself.

Originally Posted by Unavowed_X9

Ashis.
Follow the regular route from Hyd to Vja. No detours required. The road is awesome. As a matter of fact, Hyd to Bbsr is doable in a day, provided u have an early start. Day 1: Dep 0700 Bbsr -> Arr Hyd 2330. Day 3: Dep 0600 Hyd -> Arr Bbsr 2100. I did it, there is no reason YOU cant.
As far as accomodation is concerned, there are plenty along the highway in Rjy as well as Vja. Ensure you dont get inside those cities, or you will lose precious time.
And btw, time, work and fellow members facilitating, would love to give you an ESCORT!
If you want to halt at all, halt at places before the city, so that you will get a traffic free city ahead when you start early morning.
Unavowed_X9

Anna, now you are talking about a plan which I can't resist. Please do join me and we can have a gala of a time. It gives you a reason to visit YOUR Hyderabad. Till then, I will plan for an offer which you can't resist.

[Redeemer8]

Originally Posted by ashis89

I will try to cover the whole distance in a day as I intend to start very early, 5-6 am.

Hi , I would suggest you to consider 18-19 hours if you're a solo driver. You've got to cover distance of about 1100 kms in a single day. Ensure that you get a good overnight sleep before you start & keep yourself well hydrated. Have a safe journey

[Oreen]

Guys,

Am planning Bangalore to Durgapur (WB) on 16th October. I have done this route a couple of times before in 2006 and 2010, but both times I could do only Bangalore to Vijaywada on the first day. However, this time round am planning to do Vizag on Day 1. So, the idea is to do 1000 kms on both days. I know it is a little ambitious, but I want to give it a try. I do have a buffer day on both sides, and my Duster has been equipped with Hella 700 FF lights, which have a throw of about 500 meters, so the main worry of night driving, visibility, is taken care of.

Any idea about the roads on this stretch, and are there any places that might slow us down?

HVK sir, what's the URL of your group? My wife is my navigator and she wants to join the group so that she can get rooms booked either at Rajamundry or at Vizag.

Any updates will be very welcome.