[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by ampere

Even I would say it would be better to take the route via Uludurpet/Attur. But eating options are limited. There is an A2B at Ulundurpet exit from GST.





Is going through Palaghat the best option? I remember Ranjit you mentioned about :

Pollachi-Kollendode-Pazhyanur-Wadakancherry-Kecheri-Choondal-GVR. Is it any better?

Route Link

I would rather take the simpler routes than get into interior off the main highways in a State I may not know much about, which is why sticking to NH47 till Palakkad and then taking an excellent road through Ottapalam may be the best route.

[rameshnanda]

I did Chennai to Guruvayoor twice in the last one year. My recommendation would be,

Chennai-Trichy-Dindigul-Palani-Pollachi-Palghat-Ottapalam-Shoranur-Kecheri-Choondal-Guruvaayur. This would be the best route to take to reach Guruvaayur from Chennai. 6 Laning is in progress between Chennai-Krishnagiri and I won't recommend it for a smooth drive.

If you have any questions on this route, let me know.

[mpksuhas]

From Palakkad to Guruvayoor my recomendation would be Palakkad- Ottapalem-Pattambi-Guruvayoor route. I did it last week after being suggested against taking other routes by everyone. The road is in superb condition and traffic sparse. Its a two lane road and a pleasure to drive. Google map : Palakkad, Kerala to Guruvayoor, Kerala - Google Maps

Regarding Salem- Coimbatore strech, last weeks update is : 1. Salem - Chengapalli ~ 100 kms of superb 4 laned road with sparse traffic. Can cover it in 1hr 20 mins.
2. Chengapalli- Coimbatore Byepass start ~55Kms- Surface condition OK, however deviations and lane merging due to 4 laning work. Also you have to cross Avinashi town. Took about 1 hr 10mins to cross.
3. Coimbatore Bypass Start - End ~25 Kms- Two laned, good surface, arrow straight- Can cover in 20mins.
4. Coimbatore Bypass End- Palakkad town start ~ 35Kms- 4 laning work going on till KL border, also surface in bad shape. Once crossing in to KL, surface condition improves, bus/ truck traffic. Took around 50 mins.

[Dieseldunk]

Originally Posted by rameshnanda

I did Chennai to Guruvayoor twice in the last one year. My recommendation would be,

Chennai-Trichy-Dindigul-Palani-Pollachi-Palghat-Ottapalam-Shoranur-Kecheri-Choondal-Guruvaayur. This would be the best route to take to reach Guruvaayur from Chennai. 6 Laning is in progress between Chennai-Krishnagiri and I won't recommend it for a smooth drive.

If you have any questions on this route, let me know.

Thanks for the info

Anyway wanted to know driving time since i plan to start at 430/5am from chennai-tambaram-athur-salem route total distance is approx 570km.

My visit is on 2nd may to guruvayoor so hopefully pooram is over by then.

Cheers
Prasad

[Dieseldunk]

Originally Posted by ampere

Even I would say it would be better to take the route via Uludurpet/Attur. But eating options are limited. There is an A2B at Ulundurpet exit from GST.





Is going through Palaghat the best option? I remember Ranjit you mentioned about :

Pollachi-Kollendode-Pazhyanur-Wadakancherry-Kecheri-Choondal-GVR. Is it any better?

Route Link

Hi Ampere

That was a very helpful info but do feel that palghat being my native would like to travel through the town. Secondly what is the drive time from Chennai to Guruvayoor

cheers
Prasad

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Dieseldunk

Hi Ampere

That was a very helpful info but do feel that palghat being my native would like to travel through the town. Secondly what is the drive time from Chennai to Guruvayoor

cheers
Prasad

My summary would be the following:

- Salem is about 340 km. You should be there in about 4-5 hours if you can exit out of Chennai early morning.
- Salem-Avinashi is about 120km. That you should cover in 1.5 to 2 hours max.
- Avinashi-Walayar-Palakkad and beyond is the region of uncertainty esp. the border.
- Palakkad to GVR is about 100km, That should be at least 2-3 hours depending on traffic density.
- Add time for breaks.

[kala]

Originally Posted by ampere

- Palakkad to GVR is about 100km, That should be at least 2-3 hours depending on traffic density.

Took me 1 hour 45 minutes to cover the 88 kms from Guruvayoor to Palakkad on Easter Sunday afternoon. I travelled via Kunnamkulam-Perumbilavu-Pattambi-Ottappalam. (Traffic wasn't too heavy). The road was mostly excellent except for the Perumbilavu-Pattambi stretch which was reasonably ok, but not really butter-smooth like the rest of the route.

[Dieseldunk]

Folks thanks for the info.Hope that my drive will be in good stead. Also guruvayoor is a good drive hopefully from the feedback given. Initially thought the drive time will be around 8hrs but does not seem so seeing the road condition mentioned

Cheers
Prasad

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by Dieseldunk

Folks thanks for the info.Hope that my drive will be in good stead. Also guruvayoor is a good drive hopefully from the feedback given. Initially thought the drive time will be around 8hrs but does not seem so seeing the road condition mentioned

Cheers
Prasad

8hrs is going to be very difficult.Budget for a 10-12 hr drive.

[Dieseldunk]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

8hrs is going to be very difficult.Budget for a 10-12 hr drive.

Thanks Ranjith

Seems that way only. Given the fact of info coming on road conditions better factor in some extra time too.

cheers
PRasad

[rameshnanda]

Originally Posted by Dieseldunk

Thanks for the info

Anyway wanted to know driving time since i plan to start at 430/5am from chennai-tambaram-athur-salem route total distance is approx 570km.

My visit is on 2nd may to guruvayoor so hopefully pooram is over by then.

Cheers
Prasad

I once started from Chennai at 4.30PM and reached Guruvayoor at 3.45AM in the morning with breaks at Tindivanam for Coffee, Dindigul for dinner (1 hr. break), another short break at Pollachi.

[shenbag63]

Folks,
I am planning a road trip: Chennai -> Guruvayoor -> Wayanad -> Chennai. The plan is to start early from Chennai and reach Guruvayoor by evening. Have darshan either the same day or next morning and around noon drive to Wayanad to reach by evening. After 2 days start early morning from Wayanad and reach Chennai by night.

The current route chosen based on similar threads are:
Chennai-Krishnagiri-Salem-Palakkad-Ottapalam-Pattambi-Kunnamkulam-Guruvayoor
From Guruvayoor I have two options to Wayanad. One is thru Calicut on NH212 and another thru Perinthalmanna in Nilambur/Gudalur road. Not sure which one is good. I am staying in Meenmutty heights resort which is in Vythiri-Gudallur Hwy/ SH 29 (25 km from NH212 and 35 km from Gudalur Road). Google maps show almost same distance and timings for both routes.
Wayand-Sulthan Bathery-Mysore (NH212)-Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Chennai

Has anyone driven this stretch lately? What are the road conditions? Any suggestions for alternate routes?

Also, any pointers to pit stops for food in these stretches are much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by shenbag63

The current route chosen based on similar threads are:
Chennai-Krishnagiri-Salem-Palakkad-Ottapalam-Pattambi-Kunnamkulam-Guruvayoor

If GST is an easier access to you, then you should try :

Tindivanam-Ulundurpet-Salem-CBE-Palakkad-Ottapalam-Kunnamkulam-GVR.

Or if you like SH you can also try :

Trichy-Dindigul-Odanchatram-Dharapuram-Pollachi-Alathur-Pazahayannur-Wadakkancherry-GVR
Route Link

But from an efficiency and timing point of view 4-lane is faster.

For breaks 4-lane has enough options.
NH46 : Aryas at Pallikoda, A2B Thoppur.
NH45 has A2B at Ulundurpet.

From Guruvayoor I have two options to Wayanad. One is thru Calicut on NH212 and another thru Perinthalmanna in Nilambur/Gudalur road. Not sure which one is good. I am staying in Meenmutty heights resort which is in Vythiri-Gudallur Hwy/ SH 29 (25 km from NH212 and 35 km from Gudalur Road).

Take the road via Nilambur. Its very scenic and in good condition. GVR-Kunnamkulam-Pattambi-Perinthalmanna-Nilambur-Meppadi. Diversion to Meppadi comes before you reach Gudalur.

[shenbag63]

Thanks ampere. I am closer to Bangalore highway than to GST. So I'll take the option thru Salem as I drove in this stretch a few times before till Palakkad.

Also, I understand the Nilambur route from GVR to Wayanad is the better option. Will go with that.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by shenbag63

Thanks ampere. I am closer to Bangalore highway than to GST. So I'll take the option thru Salem as I drove in this stretch a few times before till Palakkad.

Then no issues. Just that the stretch till Kanchi is quite bad for a 4-lane and on top, any delay gets all the buses on the road! Apart from that absolutely no issues. In spite of the diversion, you manage a decent pace. Instead for 4AM, if you can manage a 3AM start, I would say its even better. The road is quiet and you find absolute very less traffic. You can easily make almost up to Krishnagiri till the world wakes up. And you would be in time for a good break fast. And if you can stretch till Salem, then splurge at GRT. That would be stretch a bit too much, but its possible. The price is a yummy breakfast!