[vijaykr]

What's the best route to go to Somnathpur from Bangalore (Yeshwantpur)? Google Maps is showing two options, one via Kunigal-Maddur etc. and second, via Kanakapura. The new expressway is not part of the list, but displays on the map with construction icons throughout.

Basically, I am looking to do a daytrip this Saturday and plan to leave by 6-7am. The plan is to return by evening.

Any pointers from folks who have recently traveled? Appreciate recommendations for good food stops on the way. I read on the expressway thread that service road markings not present everywhere, stops need to be planned in advance.

Thanks!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by vijaykr

Basically, I am looking to do a daytrip this Saturday and plan to leave by 6-7am. The plan is to return by evening.

Start Early, Take the Mysore Road.

Maddur-Malavalli-Bannur-Somnathpur is the best option.

[deehunk]

Originally Posted by vijaykr

What's the best route to go to Somnathpur from Bangalore (Yeshwantpur)?
Any pointers from folks who have recently traveled? Appreciate recommendations for good food stops on the way.
Thanks!

I drove to Mysuru last week on the Malavalli-Bannur route, road condition is average from Maddur to Somnathapura. Breakfast has to be planned before crossing Maddur, there are no good hotels after Maddur.

[sanjaykk]

Apparently autos and two wheelers will be banned from using the expressway:

https://twitter.com/IndexKarnataka/s...TBHVidWKzCvfig

[rajathv8]

Drove BLR-MYS on 26th and back on 28th.
All bypasses were operational and I reached Mysore without realizing that Srirangapatna and Mandya were bypassed.
Google maps showed Mandya bypass as closed. Maps went berserk when I got onto the bypass.

The onward was chaos with long-weekend traffic! Enjoyed some sights of cars beached on dividers. When folks approached the deviation from the expressway (due to sections being under construction), many including KSRTC busses and trucks would turn around and drive back - no idea why! At some points there were face-to-face traffic jams with folks who turned back and no one could go anywhere. It was hilarious to say the least and I laughed my lungs out. Picture this : empty expressway -> a row of stationary vehicles facing MYS -> a row of stationary vehicles facing BLR -> empty expressway.

The return was a pleasant surprise. Covered Manipal/Columbia asia junction to NICE road entry in 1Hr 35Mins since some sections had 100Kmph speed limit and all bypasses were open.
NICE road between MYS road entry and Kanakpura exit was terrible. Due to roadworks both direction traffic flow was restricted to 3.5 lanes. It was a slow 1st-2nd gear crawl and the worst part of my journey by far.

One thing I would like to call out is while the expressway is beautiful, having driven on it 3 times now, I find it extremely boring.

[FURY_44]

Originally Posted by FURY_44

So I had ridden to Ooty on the new "partially" opened Bangalore - Mysore expressway on the Dussehra weekend.

Here are some things I noticed:

For the amount of expenditure the project boasts, the road quality is not so "world-class", I could find lots of undulations on the highway, not only at the entry/exit of flyovers but also on straight roads. Long-term reliability when completely open is a question mark.

In the typical "Bengaluru" style, the flyover joints are not smooth.

Entry/Exit on those railway bridges could have been smoother, it's at an awkward angle, Volvos/Cars carrying high speed will need to be cautious over these bridges. To add to the mix, some engineers have thought adding smooth tar over these bridges would be a good idea.

Well, I said so.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by FURY_44

For the amount of expenditure the project boasts, the road quality is not so "world-class",

True that. To handle current traffic, at least 8 lanes are needed and to be future-proof 10 lanes - all along, not just in some stretches. Considering that this is one of the busiest highways in the country.
Since many towns are bypassed, they have to build proper exists to these towns with toll booths.

[NPV]

Indian Railways seems to have woken up after many years
In the western arm of the Mysore ring road (when going from Bangalore take a right turn at Manipal hospital junction), I saw 3 railway underpasses being constructed between Manipal Hospital and Hotel Kalyani, within 3-4km!

One of them is a brand new much wider bridge running parallel to the existing one and other two are additional boxes to accommodate the 4 lanes - existing underpasses were only wide enough for 2 lanes and were a dangerous merging place with narrowing and expanding from 4 to 2 lanes and vice versa on either side.

[procrj]

Looking for inputs on Bellur cross - Nagamangala - Pandavapura - Mysore route. Haven't used this route in a while and plan to take the same to avoid weekend madness on the Mysore expressway.

[jkrishnakj]

I had done this route a couple of months back in my sedan. Good to Decent roads all through.

The problem is that till Bellur cross, you'll still hit traffic on that road.

[Oppanna]

Originally Posted by procrj

Looking for inputs on Bellur cross - Nagamangala - Pandavapura - Mysore route. Haven't used this route in a while and plan to take the same to avoid weekend madness on the Mysore expressway.

Did you consider going to Mysore via Kanakapura - Malavalli - Bannur - Mysore? The roads till Malavalli is brilliant now with all bypass operational.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

The problem is that till Bellur cross, you'll still hit traffic on that road.

Not a lot of traffic after nelamangala if you time it right. Usually 6.45 - 8 am is rush hour on Parle toll - Nelamangala - Kunigal stretch during weekends, based on what I have observed.

Originally Posted by Oppanna

Did you consider going to Mysore via Kanakapura - Malavalli - Bannur - Mysore? The roads till Malavalli is brilliant now with all bypass operational.

That's all the way across town for me and will add 30-45 min if I go through town, else will need to take NICE road.

The above had been my standard route to Mysore pre expressway, deterministic 2.5 hours from my place to Columbia asia signal. While it's an additional 20 odd kms it's significantly lower toll cost (430 vs 150 IIRC) while net time taken is approx 20 min more. Now with cruising speed of 90-95 kmph on Mysore expressway + weekend rush, I really don't see the point of taking it when I have a viable alternative.

[daretodream]

Seeking guidance on BIKE route from HSR, Bengaluru to Mysore (end destination being Gonikoppa)?
Will be Okay to skip Mysore.

Considerations (Descending order of priority):

1. Safety (e.g., Lesser speeding four-wheelers)
2. Comfort (e.g., # of speed breakers)
3. Water/Food/bio-break options every 1.54-2 hours
4. Speed / Time to travel

Planned start time: Between 4-5AM, Saturday morning

I read that service road along the access controlled expressway has multiple speed breakers and oncoming traffic - it is not pleasant experience for both two-wheelers and four=wheelers.

[Oppanna]

Originally Posted by daretodream

Seeking guidance on BIKE route from HSR, Bengaluru to Mysore (end destination being Gonikoppa)?
Will be Okay to skip Mysore.

Here is my suggestion, HSR - Kanakapura - Malavalli - Bannur - Mysore - Ilavala - Hunsur - Gonikoppa. The quickest and has everything you want.

The other routes are quite far and also would touch Nelamangala side.