[DigitalDragon]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Here you go.

Day 1:

....

11:30 AM - Halt near Anandapuram flyover before taking the Bheemunipatnam - Anakapelle bypass road

..... :15 PM - Bellandur

Thanks for the update. Could you kindly let me know how was the road condition of the Vizag bypass? I guess you are talking of SH 9.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by DigitalDragon

Thanks for the update. Could you kindly let me know how was the road condition of the Vizag bypass? I guess you are talking of SH 9.

Yes, this is the bypass route. As of Feb end '21, 60% of the road was in great shape and the remaining in good shape. This is the preferred route of truckers and hence, you will find a lot of truck traffic.

It took me about 85-90 mins to cover those 60 odd kms. Was a lot more peaceful than crossing Vizag city.

[Thumping Soul]

Originally Posted by DigitalDragon

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.

This is now the default route suggested by Google Maps. So, just follow through and you would be good. Here's a screenshot & URL of exact map location:

Complete Route:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/17.8...4!2d17.6719464



Entry Point: The marked locations have some amount of construction activitiy going on, but easily drivable. Go under the new flyover (under construction) and head towards Anandhapuram and then onto the Bypass.


Exit Point: Anakapallle. While existing, would suggest to take that left and then quickly merge onto NH16, rather than passing through the Anakapalle town. Plenty of options to have lunch around this area.


Overall, the bypass is about 70% complete, except the entry & exit points and one very long flyover. But a much better option if you are passing through during daytime.

As for Lemon Tree, Vijayawada. Excellent property and very friendly & supportive staff. They conformed to every single COVID protocol and ensured we had a very comfortable stay. We arrived around 8.30pm and were in our rooms in less than 10mins. Restaurant was closed but dinner was served in the room. Breakfast was the usual buffet spread in their restaurant.

And London street, I have bookmarked this place and is my usual stop every time i cross this area. Kids love the place. Food is awesome, neat & clean toilets plus a small kids play area.

As for the BBSR - Vizag route, the major construction site at Icchapuram is almost complete. Apart from that, there are a few construction sites in Odisha, but nothing that should worry you. But watch out for cattle on the road. Once you enter Andhra, roads quality improves a lot.

[DigitalDragon]

Originally Posted by Thumping Soul

This is now the default route suggested by Google Maps. So, just follow through and you would be good. Here's a screenshot & URL of exact map location:....... Once you enter Andhra, roads quality improves a lot.

Thanks a lot for the super fast response. Will follow the same.

[DigitalDragon]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Yes, this is the bypass route. As of Feb end '21, 60% of the road was in great shape and the remaining in good shape. This is the preferred route of truckers and hence, you will find a lot of truck traffic.

It took me about 85-90 mins to cover those 60 odd kms. Was a lot more peaceful than crossing Vizag city.

Thank you for the confirmation.

[bong_voyager]

Hi All, I will be having a Kolkata-Bangalore trip starting on 6th of Aug. Due to some last minute cancellation of Airbnb, i need to now travel from Bhubaneswar to Vijaywada on the second day. Have some questions regarding the same and would be grateful to have your suggestions.

1. Is it doable? google shows around 15.5 hours but wanted to know if anyone has recent experience.
2. Can anyone suggest any good eatery options in this stretch? I will prefer places with moderate/big parking spaces as I need to give my pets little walks during the breaks.
3. Does anyone know recent status of Godavari 4th bridge and the stretch from NH16 to 4th bridge? If this is managable, I would like to try the new 4lane highway between Kovvur and Gundugolanu.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by bong_voyager

Hi All, I will be having a Kolkata-Bangalore trip starting on 6th of Aug. Due to some last minute cancellation of Airbnb, i need to now travel from Bhubaneswar to Vijaywada on the second day. Have some questions regarding the same and would be grateful to have your suggestions.

1. Is it doable? google shows around 15.5 hours but wanted to know if anyone has recent experience.
2. Can anyone suggest any good eatery options in this stretch? I will prefer places with moderate/big parking spaces as I need to give my pets little walks during the breaks.
3. Does anyone know recent status of Godavari 4th bridge and the stretch from NH16 to 4th bridge? If this is managable, I would like to try the new 4lane highway between Kovvur and Gundugolanu.

Yes, Bhubaneswar to Vijayawada is doable in day. It's a 14-15 hour drive with breaks. Start around 6am(earlier the better to avoid morning traffic) and you can reach your destination in Vijayawada by late evening.

I took my lunch break just after crossing Vizag. Stopped at this dhaba which is located inside a large fuel bunk. Enough space to park a dozen trucks outside . And good tasty food.
Punjabi Dhaba
095501 04039
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hbg1U6upV846cDPS6

Refer the last couple of posts on this thread to understand the route and road conditions, especially the Vizag bypass.

For Rajahmundry stretch, I always prefer to stick to NH16 throughout.

[bong_voyager]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Refer the last couple of posts on this thread to understand the route and road conditions, especially the Vizag bypass.

Yes took the bypass during my onward journey in April itself. So hopefully the bypass will be more complete now

Originally Posted by ashis89

For Rajahmundry stretch, I always prefer to stick to NH16 throughout.

Even I had the same plan untill i came across the below video in youtube. The new road seems to be in a terrific shape

https://youtu.be/0VMZ0Yh3E9k

[Slipstream11]

Originally Posted by poised2drive

If yo are looking for breakfast , do not look beyond Idlys ( Gurunanak Nagar)

Can you please suggest some decent stays on NH65 in Vijayawada - I will be continuing towards Rajamundry - Vizag - BBSR early next morning - so want to avoid getting into the city. I will be reaching Vijayawada from Pune.

[bong_voyager]

Originally Posted by Slipstream11

Can you please suggest some decent stays on NH65 in Vijayawada - I will be continuing towards Rajamundry - Vizag - BBSR early next morning - so want to avoid getting into the city. I will be reaching Vijayawada from Pune.

Although not on the NH65, check if the Kay hotel suits your requirement. You can take the left from Gollapudi to reach here without traveling through the city. This will also give a head start for your next day's journey.

https://goo.gl/maps/ZJCw5w43XsgW3zs96

[poised2drive]

Originally Posted by Slipstream11

Can you please suggest some decent stays on NH65 in Vijayawada - I will be continuing towards Rajamundry - Vizag - BBSR early next morning - so want to avoid getting into the city. I will be reaching Vijayawada from Pune.

As Bong Voyager suggested, Kay Hotel is a good place to stay. It is quite near the Ramavarappadu Ring ( this is where you join the Visakhapatnam Highway if you take a left at Gollapudi onto Inner Ring Road (IRR) when coming from Hyd)

Also, the Inn Hotel - https://goo.gl/maps/XuWiU6Ufvc7L7Hbr6 is right on the Ramavarappadu ring which is also a good option.

I would suggest Novotel , Bhartinagar https://goo.gl/maps/eZUiFHV1Um8rck7MA , if you prefer a luxurious stay. And it is about 2-3 km from the Ramavarappadu Ring ( & not much of a hassle) ( take the IRR and turn right into City near Ramavarappadu Ring )

Since your plan is to start early in the morning from Vijayawada, I take the liberty to suggest you Lemon Tree Premiere (https://goo.gl/maps/j2qMy1WAB4vNrcQp6) near Subcollector Office on Bunder Road.

You can proceed straight from Gollapudi and take the Durga Temple Flyover ( and witness the Prakasham Barrage, which is overflowing and witness River Krishna in its glory ) ( takes 15-20 min after you enter Vijayawada and any hassle is worthy - if your trip is in coming 1-2 days)

But if your only objective is to skip all traffic, the first 2 suggested places are the best



Please feel free to DM for any info !

[Slipstream11]

I did Pune - Kolkata through 18, 19 and 20 August 2021.

Route - Pune>Solapur>Hyderabad>Vijayawada>Rajamundry>Vizag >Srikakulam>Bhubaneswar>Kharagpur>Kolkata - a total distance of 2083 kms.

My halts:

Vijayawada - 18th Aug night - The Purple Stay (from Oyo, near Benz Circle) - budget 800 bucks

Bhubaneswar - 19th Aug night - Hotel Bari (from Oyo, on the highway to Cuttack) - budget 1000 bucks

Road conditions:

Solapur to Vijayawada (through KA and TS) - quite a few diversions due to constructions.

GMaps took me off NH65 just before Vizag and took me through the Chennai Srikakulam highway (152). Its a single lane road - terrible surface conditions and lots of slow truck traffic. However, 13 kms of this ordeal and this will lead you to a nice 6 lane highway. The alternative was to drive through the Vizag city (afternoon) which a local advised against stating there are 15 traffic signals to cross and a 110/- toll to pay.

Getting into Bhubaneswar through the Khurda bypass was stressful given the evening hours.

Bhubaneswar to Balasore is again a pain and full of diversions - its kind of frustrating.

RTPCR was check at KA border.
Car was checked at AP border for liquor.

[chakri400]

Originally Posted by Slipstream11

RTPCR was check at KA border.
Car was checked at AP border for liquor.

Is RTPCR mandatory for entering from AP Border too? I thought this was only for Kerala and MH.

[Slipstream11]

Originally Posted by chakri400

Is RTPCR mandatory for entering from AP Border too? I thought this was only for Kerala and MH.

It was for KA as well, however I was stopped at AP for a routine check (verbally asked while my vehicle was checked for liquor).

If traveling across state borders, it is advisable to carry RTPCR - you never know where you might be asked for it.

MH and KL is most certain - especially with the numbers again increasing.

[abhinabp]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some help as I am driving from Bhubaneswar to Bangalore on the 6th of September and needed some quick updates.

I will be taking the Bhubaneswar-Vizag-Vijayawada-Nellore-Tirupati-Chitoor-Bangalore route

• Are there any Eatery/Plaza recommendations on the still under construction Vizag bypass?
• We are double vaccinated. Is there any need for RT-PCR report at the border check-points? I will be crossing OD-AP and AP-KA borders
• Any route recommendations (on latest road conditions) to cross the Naidupeta-Chitoor section as I will be taking this stretch for the first time. I regularly take the BLR-HYD-VGA route.

Also, this is my first post here after reading recommendations from Team-BHP for several years and planning several of my road trips in India. Glad to be registered and here