[sawan_dubey]

Hi everyone,

We (my wife and I) are taking a roadtrip from Bangalore to Bhutan on our motorcycle (RE Classic 500) this March and the route we have planned is BNG > VIZAG > BHUBANESWAR > KHARAGPUR > SILIGURI > sikkim 7 Bhutan. We are looking for some of your valuable advice about our very first day of the ride.

Plan for Day 1 - start by 04:30 hrs (BNG > Vijayawada / Eluru / Vishakapatnam - whichever we can achieve)

We're fairly experienced travelers on the road and can do 800 KM/day on 4 lanes without any issues. Is the above plan feasible?

Also, how about the BNG > KURNOOL > ATMAKUR > DORNALA > GUNTUR > VIJAYAWADA road conditions?

[Unavowed_X9]

Originally Posted by sawan_dubey

Hi everyone,
..
Plan for Day 1 - start by 04:30 hrs (BNG > Vijayawada / Eluru / Vishakapatnam - whichever we can achieve)

We're fairly experienced travelers on the road and can do 800 KM/day on 4 lanes without any issues. Is the above plan feasible?

Also, how about the BNG > KURNOOL > ATMAKUR > DORNALA > GUNTUR > VIJAYAWADA road conditions?

1. As a frequent traveller on this sections, BNG > KURNOOL > ATMAKUR > DORNALA > GUNTUR > VIJAYAWADA may not be so comfortable riding pillion on this stretch. The section between Kurnool - Atmakur- Doranala - Guntur are picturesque, but I have my doubts regarding the comfort levels.

Will recommend BNG-KOLAR-PLMNR-CHITTOOR BYPASS-TIRUPATI-NAIDUPETA-NELLORE-KAVALI-VJA

2. VJA-VIZAG-Bbsr-Kharagpur is a breeze.

3. The route you intend to take to Siliguri is not mentioned, so cannot update on that.

Warm regards
Unavowed_X9

[sawan_dubey]

Yeah, after spending some time on this thread, I realise tirupati route is the best option. Thanks for your time and suggestions

Approx how much time does it take from Bng - Vijayawada through this route?

[rkg]

Originally Posted by sawan_dubey

Yeah, after spending some time on this thread, I realise tirupati route is the best option. Thanks for your time and suggestions

Approx how much time does it take from Bng - Vijayawada through this route?

Approximately 12-13 hours.

Bangalore-Mulbagal 100+ km 4 lane
Mulbagal-Putalapattu diversion towards Tirupati is old two lane road 110-120 km
Putalapattu _ Tirupati bypass good road approximately 50km
Tirupati bypass-Naidupet newly laid out two lane road 55 km
Naidupet-Viziawada 4 & 6 lane road

Originally Posted by sawan_dubey

Approx how much time does it take from Bng - Vijayawada through this route?

Here are my actual timings driven in 2012: we crossed Vijayawada in the early hours. I don't remember the exact time.

[sawan_dubey]

Great, so going by the estimates, it would be difficult to reach Vizag if I'm traveling 4.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. on Day 1. We will stick to Vijayawada / Eluru. Thanks.

[sawan_dubey]

Originally Posted by rkg

Approximately 12-13 hours.

Bangalore-Mulbagal 100+ km 4 lane
Mulbagal-Putalapattu diversion towards Tirupati is old two lane road 110-120 km
Putalapattu _ Tirupati bypass good road approximately 50km
Tirupati bypass-Naidupet newly laid out two lane road 55 km
Naidupet-Viziawada 4 & 6 lane road

Superb information! Thank you... is there a google map link with all the bypass road for this route? BNG - Naidupet

[Krishroy]

There are bypass roads for Rajamundri and Vizag to avoid city traffic
- GNT road from Gundugolanu (towards Kovvuru), which hit Godavari fourth bridge bypassing the entire Rajahmundry city crowd
- You can take AP state highway 38 to bypass the Vizag city traffic. This road was a 2-lane road full of mid-sized craters. It was a 45 KM stretch, which took 1:10 hours for me to cover by car during evening time

[SDM Photoblitz]

GNT road from Gundugolanu (towards Kovvuru), which hit Godavari fourth bridge bypassing the entire Rajahmundry city crowd

Thanks Krishroy, for the infromation. But, since I will be approaching from the North, (i.e. from Vizag) can you please tell me the exact point where, I should leave NH5 and take the Rajahmundry bypass via Kovvuru, and GNT road ? And also the exact location where I will rejoin the NH5 again towards Eluru ?

You can take AP state highway 38 to bypass the Vizag city traffic. This road was a 2-lane road full of mid-sized craters. It was a 45 KM stretch, which took 1:10 hours for me to cover by car during evening time

Keep to the NH5. Takes nearly the same time, and will save you the diversion. Traffic depends on the timing you enter Vizag.

Unavowed_X9 , and Krishroy , can you both gentlemen come to a final verdict as to which of the two routes (NH5 or SH38) is the better one ? I expect to arrive at Vizag round 1000 -1100 hrs. on 1st March .
And what are the precise departure and rejoining points from NH5, if I wish to take the SH38, while coming the north ?
Thanks in advance.
SDM

[Unavowed_X9]

Originally Posted by SDM Photoblitz

Thanks Krishroy, for the infromation. But, since I will be approaching from the North, (i.e. from Vizag) can you please tell me the exact point where, I should leave NH5 and take the Rajahmundry bypass via Kovvuru, and GNT road ? And also the exact location where I will rejoin the NH5 again towards Eluru ?

Unavowed_X9 , and Krishroy , can you both gentlemen come to a final verdict as to which of the two routes (NH5 or SH38) is the better one ? I expect to arrive at Vizag round 1000 -1100 hrs. on 1st March .
And what are the precise departure and rejoining points from NH5, if I wish to take the SH38, while coming the north ?
Thanks in advance.
SDM

SDM Photoblitz
Dont have to bother about bypassing Rajahmundry. Simply drive through. It will be done in no time. Same goes with Vijayawada and Vizag. Just stick to the NH. These bypasses are not worth the effort you put in for searching the exits as well as negotiating the slightly uncomfortable / narrow roads.
Warm Regards.
Unavowed_X9

[vnabhi]

Hello all

Can someone post an update on the route and road conditions between Cuttack and Kolkata? My cousin is traveling this weekend from Vizag.
Thanks in advance.

[9tMax]

Originally Posted by SDM Photoblitz

Thanks Krishroy, for the infromation. But, since I will be approaching from the North, (i.e. from Vizag) can you please tell me the exact point where, I should leave NH5 and take the Rajahmundry bypass via Kovvuru, and GNT road ? And also the exact location where I will rejoin the NH5 again towards Eluru ?


SDM

You don't have to do anything to bypass Rajamundry as Unavowed has also mentioned. To make it more clear - just keep driving on the NH-5 and you will completely bypass Rajamundry without even knowing it, because the NH itself is the bypass and does not pass through the town proper. In fact, if you want to enter Rajamundry town, then only you have to leave NH-5.

But the same is not true with Vizag and Vijaywada. In both these cities the NH-5 goes through the city and is slightly to heavily crowded, depending on the time of the day. But they are 4-laned all along and are in good shape. So it may not be worthwhile searching for the bypass.
Plus you can have a nice tea and snack break if you want - in Vijaywada there are quite a few malls and food joints right on the NH-5.

[rkg]

There is no need to look for bypass in Bangalore-Vizag stretch.

One can clearly see the big road sign before chandragiri ( 15 km before tirupati). Take right turn into 4 lane road. Once right turn is taken just follow the road signs for Kalahasti/Naidupet. Thats all. At Naidupet T junction one has to take right turn and after some distance take left turn. It is about a kilometer long to reach NH5.

Try to cross Viziawada before 4 PM. otherwise you will be struck in traffic

No need to worry about Rajamundry bypass. NH5 did not enter Rajamundry at all. Just stick to 4 lane highway. Thats it.

Only for vizag bypass one has to look carefully. It starts just after Anakapalli. But in my opinion, the bypass is not worth the effort. One can stick to 4 lane and pass through Vizag. The traffic in Vizag is nothing compared to Bangalore.

[SDM Photoblitz]

You don't have to do anything to bypass Rajamundry as Unavowed has also mentioned. To make it more clear - just keep driving on the NH-5 and you will completely bypass Rajamundry without even knowing it, because the NH itself is the bypass and does not pass through the town proper.

Dont have to bother about bypassing Rajahmundry. Simply drive through. It will be done in no time.

No need to worry about Rajamundry bypass. NH5 did not enter Rajamundry at all. Just stick to 4 lane highway. Thats it.

Thank you, Unavowed_X9, 9tMax, and rkg, From all of your advise, I am now sure about my route as regards Rajamundry .
Vijayawada is not an issue since, I have planned to stay there for one night, and have already booked myself at " Innotel " on the Vijayavada Ring Road.

But, the situation about Vizag is still a bit confusing.

Only for vizag bypass one has to look carefully. It starts just after Anakapalli. But in my opinion, the bypass is not worth the effort. One can stick to 4 lane and pass through Vizag. The traffic in Vizag is nothing compared to Bangalore.

- rkg, firstly Anakapalli is to the South of Vizag, but since we will be approaching from the north ( i.e. BBSR) I would like to know the exit point from that direction.

In both these cities the NH-5 goes through the city and is slightly to heavily crowded, depending on the time of the day. But they are 4-laned all along and are in good shape. So it may not be worthwhile searching for the bypass.

- 9tMax

Same goes with Vijayawada and Vizag. Just stick to the NH. These bypasses are not worth the effort you put in for searching the exits as well as negotiating the slightly uncomfortable / narrow roads.

- Unavowed_X9
So gentlemen , what is the final verdict ? To Bypass, or Not to Bypass Vizag ? That is the question ! As pointed out earlier, I expect to reach Vizag at round 1100 hrs. on 1st march.

[9tMax]

Originally Posted by SDM Photoblitz

So gentlemen , what is the final verdict ? To Bypass, or Not to Bypass Vizag ? That is the question ! As pointed out earlier, I expect to reach Vizag at round 1100 hrs. on 1st march.

From google maps it looks like it may not be difficult to identify the location where you need to leave NH5 for bypassing Vizag. Just after Bhimunipatnam you need to get off the NH and continue on the left fork - straight along the Pendurthi - Anadapuram road (SH-38) till you reach Anakapalle and then finally take a left turn just before Anakapalle to get onto NH-5 again. I know - a snapshot of the google map would have been much more clear, but just feeling too lazy to do all the copy - paste - crop - resize -post. Hope this helps you.

You will surely be having gps assistance with you I hope. So bypassing shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Please note: 1) this bypass is not anything like a proper 4-laned bypass like you have for the bigger metros, it is just an alternative route; 2) I have not used this route yet. What I wrote above is just by seeing google maps.

I suggest while traveling towards Vijaywada, you explore this bypass option and then depending on your experience, decide whether to use the bypass or go through the city while returning.

And don't forget to update us about the condition of this route once you complete your journey.