[ashis89]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucer

Vijayawada to Vizag took 9 hours with a couple of breaks. Vizag to Bhubaneswar took 8 and a half hours with breaks.

Is the road till Vizag (and beyond) still bad? Vijayawada - Vizag usually takes 6-7 hours including breaks.

[flyingsaucer]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Is the road till Vizag (and beyond) still bad? Vijayawada - Vizag usually takes 6-7 hours including breaks.

I think most BHPians should be able to do this trip in 7.5 hours. Got delayed because my eye started watering like crazy and we had to take multiple breaks.

There are plenty of diversions and the ride isn't as much fun as it used to be earlier. There was also a lot of traffic around Anakapalle.

[poised2drive]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Is the road till Vizag (and beyond) still bad? Vijayawada - Vizag usually takes 6-7 hours including breaks.

The construction work in between Vijayawada and Rajahmundry is still under progress. There are many diversions and the truck traffic is quite high during nights. One has to be patient to manouvre this route till the construction process gets done.
Rjy-Visakhapatnam is clean barring a few patches.

[bong_voyager]

Came across a youtube video which shows the road widening work between Gundugolanu to Kovvur is almost done. This will be a good alternative to avoid the pothole section between Eluru and Rajahmundry. Unfortunately the video narration is in Telegu so I couldn't understand it but looks like entire stretch is going to be completed in 2-3 months

https://youtu.be/ZW3vEYWef88

[papr23]

Originally Posted by bong_voyager

Came across a Youtube video which shows the road widening work between Gundugolanu to Kovvur is almost done. This will be a good alternative to avoid the pothole section between Eluru and Rajahmundry. Unfortunately the video narration is in Telegu so I couldn't understand it but looks like entire stretch is going to be completed in 2-3 months

The problem with this route is, it passes through lot of stone crushers between Devarapalli and Kovvur. The roads are horrendous and dangerous for driving fast in this stretch. This is around 25km I think with lot of lorries and passes through few villages. Search for Devarapalli Police Station in G Maps and check the satellite view. You can find lot of heavy vehicles there
Rest of the stretch (~30-40km I think. Not sure though.) is awesome to make rapid progress due to near empty roads. Bonus- no tolls...yet!

[bong_voyager]

Originally Posted by papr23

The problem with this route is, it passes through lot of stone crushers between Devarapalli and Kovvur.

There seems to be new route alignment between Yernagudem and Kovvur


Can be seen in satellite view also


So hopefully the entire stretch will become a stress free drive.

[papr23]

Originally Posted by bong_voyager

There seems to be new route alignment between Yernagudem and Kovvur


So hopefully the entire stretch will become a stress free drive.

Yes! Not just stress free drive, this is ~40km less compared to NH16 that goes via Ravulapalem.

[ashis89]

Not a route query but looking for suggestions for good food joints in Vijayawada.

What are some of the good eateries in Vijayawada (anywhere in the city)? Open to suggestions for breakfast, lunch or, dinner.

[damodar]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Not a route query but looking for suggestions for good food joints in Vijayawada.

What are some of the good eateries in Vijayawada (anywhere in the city)? Open to suggestions for breakfast, lunch or, dinner.

Just off the high junction called benz circle there is Hotel Dv Manor. They maintain high quality and hiegene standards are the best in the city. They have a restaurant called Aroma's the first floor with quite wide choice on the menu. One can try their ulavacharu biryani for which they are well known because they created the recipe for that.
Quality Hotel DV Manor
https://maps.app.goo.gl/m1WjiWtUpMxjXHyQ6

On the same road run by the same management is Food plaza where they run a restaurant called Serenade. It's a calm and not too crowded and food quality is similar to Dv Manor.
Manor Food Plaza
https://maps.google.com/?cid=1429371...5703&entry=gps

Minerva has a restaurant called eat street which is a good option for breakfast.
Minerva grand ( eat at street)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WQ2D4Cdv9jbaeXWC8

[poised2drive]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Not a route query but looking for suggestions for good food joints in Vijayawada.

What are some of the good eateries in Vijayawada (anywhere in the city)? Open to suggestions for breakfast, lunch or, dinner.

If yo are looking for breakfast , do not look beyond Idlys ( Gurunanak Nagar) https://www.google.com/maps/place/ID...6!4d80.6678707

Their idlis- Peanut CHUTNEY are irresistible and have multiple kind of Dosas.

You can also try SSS Idly hotel ( near Poly Clinic Road )https://www.google.com/maps/place/S....9!4d80.6528811

They serve only idlys, but are great !

For lunch/dinner, ( NOn-Indian Cuisines) you can try Monk's Kitchen ( Italian/Chinese )- their chicken stroganoff is mouthwatering - Gurunanak nagar or
Jumping beans (Chinese) Bharati nagar - they got great prawns .

If you want to have burgers, try https://g.page/VerandahCoffee?share

It is a cosy little cafe where you can pass some time !

For authentic Andhra meals, if you are patient enough, try Ramayya Mess
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sr...6!4d80.6304302

It is located a bit inside the city ( Governorpet), but the food makes it worth while.

Else, you can get Andhra Meals in Sweet Magic Restaurants ( they got branches in bandar Road, Mahanadu Road ) .

If you are in mood for biryani, try Biryanis & More in Mangalagiri , 10 km from Vijayawada on Chennai Highway !

Feel free to dm for any info !

[papr23]

Originally Posted by poised2drive

For lunch/dinner, ( NOn-Indian Cuisines) you can try Monk's Kitchen ( Italian/Chinese )- their chicken stroganoff is mouthwatering - Gurunanak nagar or
Jumping beans (Chinese) Bharati nagar - they got great prawns .

Agree with all your suggestions. I need to try the above places though, thanks!

What I noticed is you cannot go wrong with breakfast anywhere in Vijayawada. The chutneys are too good here compared to what you get in Telangana.

There is place for non-vegetarian meals off the Guntur-Vijayawada highway called Murugan Hotel. Not a fancy place but they serve good meals. I haven't had there in recent times though.

[poised2drive]

Originally Posted by papr23

I need to try the above places though, thanks!

I am sure you won't be disappointed !

Originally Posted by papr23

What I noticed is you cannot go wrong with breakfast anywhere in Vijayawada. The chutneys are too good here compared to what you get in Telangana.

Cannot agree more, though these days , so many hotels are mushrooming around. Tiffins in Telangana , especially in Hyderabad, are more influenced by the Udupi style and thus serve Coconut chutney. And PEANUT Chutney is something out of this world

Also try Vinayak Tiffins in Satyanarayanapuram. It is a small joint , but is always thronged with people .

Originally Posted by papr23

There is place for non-vegetarian meals off the Guntur-Vijayawada highway called Murugan Hotel. Not a fancy place but they serve good meals. I haven't had there in recent times though.

Murugan is still minting money. Lot of people have food there, but I must say it lost its sheen.

Last time I ate, the food was ordinary. But the hotel is still successful based on the fame.

[bong_voyager]

Few day's old news, but thought of sharing as this is relevant to the thread. A section of under construction flyover on the Anakapalle-Anandapuram bypass had collapsed. So the Road may be restricted for some time.

https://m.timesofindia.com/city/visa...w/84191639.cms

[ashis89]

The last time I drove from Vijayawada to Bangalore (Feb '21), I had taken the Renigutta - Puttur to bypass Tirupati.

Yesterday, while coming, I came via Tirupati - Chittoor bypass as Google said it was 50 mins faster. The road and the drive was very good. This should be the preferred route now unless the traffic within Tirupati increases in future.

Chittoor bypass is complete except for couple of small sections. Even here, the service roads are in good shape.

If I compare with Feb '21, the roads till Vijayawada remain the same and overall, are in good shape.

[DigitalDragon]

Originally Posted by Thumping Soul

I drove down from Kolkata, couple of weeks back. Following was my intinerary:

1. 18th June (Day 1): .......We had another small tea-break just after crossing KA border. Reached home in Whitefield by 7.30pm.

Hey, Thanks for the update buddy.
We are planning to drive from Bhubaneswar to Bangalore this weekend. Would like to have some details from you:

1.Please let me know the details of the Vizag bypass... where exactly to divert from NH 16 and where does it reconnect with NH 16? Is it safe to travel on this stretch with family and kids? Planning to leave by 7 from BBSR and so hit Vizag by 12ish...

2, How was your experience with Lemontree Vijayawada? We plan to stay there. Food, sanitation protocols, room etc.? I guess this is a new one. Hopefully should be good.

3. Would you recommend London Street for lunch? Do they follow COVID protocols? How is the food quality? I saw google reviews... but first hand feedback is different

4. How is BBSR - Vizag stretch road condition now? I guess Andhra section would be good. But last I know the Odisha stretch had lots of diversions and road constructions..

5. Anything specifically we need to take care of or keep in mind as far as route is concerned?

Thank you so much in advance.. I know its a bit of trouble for you to respond this much.