Planning to do Blr - Hyd over Good Friday weekend

amitoj · 1st April 2006, 12:45

.. any suggestions, guys? any specific travel advisory? Are there any sections of the route that are relatively safer than other sections for night driving?

Also, how about a meet with TBHPians from Hyderabad over some nice delicious hyderabadi biryani?

Cheers
Amitoj

cnu · 1st April 2006, 18:13

Hi Amitoj,

No special precautions are needed for NH7 between Blr and Hyd. The complete stretch is safe even for night driving but just keep in mind that the full stretch is just 2 lanes except for few kms just after Blr and few kms just before Hyd.

I usually do this stretch in the day time. If you want to do it in the day, the best time is to start is latest by 6 AM and reach Hyd by around 5 PM. It usually takes between 10 and 12 hours based on your driving skills and the breaks you take.

Cheers
cnu

P.S: Even I may drive down to Hyd during that weekend. Not yet finalized though.

amitoj · 1st April 2006, 18:37

Hey thanks cnu. Hows the road? badly potholed?

Let me know if u finalise ur plans. If u dont mind, we can go as a convoy of two cars!

And i guess the hyd tbhpians arent too keen on a meet, eh? Come on guys.... i need someone to take me to some delicious biryani.

Cheers
Amitoj

cnu · 1st April 2006, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitoj

Hows the road? badly potholed?

Nope. The road is good. You may hit few potholes before the AP-Karnataka border but after that its smooth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitoj

Let me know if u finalise ur plans. If u dont mind, we can go as a convoy of two cars!

Sure. Will PM you if I decide to drive down.

Cheers

cooldude1988765 · 2nd April 2006, 12:29

When is good friday ???

Any day other than 19th, 20th, 21st & 22nd I am ok with the meet !

ritik123 · 2nd April 2006, 19:38

I've done this road twice in my maruti van. It took me 12 hours, so on a faster car it should be much less.

Roads are excellent, food and petrol bunks are also not a problem. Better to fuel up in AP as petrol wud be cheaper by 2 Rs or so.

Vicki_Rau · 2nd April 2006, 21:33

Hi amitoj,
done this trip many times, plan around 10 hours with a decent driving speed and stops.
Just remember that :-

1. you must cross hebbal by 6 am or you are screwed.
2. early morning, you will meet incoming Volvos who drive a little crazily sometimes.
3. carry a little water and some snacks. you will get plenty of refills along the way.
4. plan lunch around Kurnool (4 hours from Hyd).
5. Remember its going to be hot, especially as you near Anantapur (which should be between 10-11am. From then on you will need the AC, because even the wind/breeze is hotttttt!.

Enjoy the drive man.

Vicki_Rau

amitoj · 6th April 2006, 11:44

Thanks everyone for the tips! Really appreciated.

Jus two more things:
1. Any idea about location of any reliance petrol pumps on the way? I'd prefer to fill up there.
2. Are there any places worth visiting on the way?

Cheers
Amitoj

tsk1979 · 6th April 2006, 15:46

DO NOT ATTEMPT NIGHT driving.
We did bangalore nagpur, and night driving was the worst part. Forget the naxal threat, the road is two lane with lots of blind turns and full of trucks at night. Daytime means good nice roads relatively free of traffic. I suggest, try to get out by 3pm, stop at Indian oil guest house at kurnool, start at 6m in morning and before 9 you are at HYD fresh.
Or if you can start at 1pm you can easily make to hyd by 10.

tsk1979 · 6th April 2006, 15:48

Lots of reliance pumps on the way. They start as soon as Bangalore ends.

satish_appasani · 6th April 2006, 16:59

amitoj, welcome to Hyd. Let me know where you'll be going to in Hyd, so i can try to put a map or atleast directions. You'll be entering Hyd from the old city side and it would confuse new comers.

For biriyani, you have the right contact. I'll treat you with the best biriyani...

airfoil · 6th April 2006, 17:12

Bangalore ~ Hyderabad is a good highway, NH7 all the way. There are a few Reliance bunks spread out all along the way as well.

Road conditions are largely good other than smallish bad patches of road.

Watch out for sections of terrible strecthes road as you approach Hyderabad though. Four laning work has made some sections on the way to Hyderabad a blast, but the divided highway sometimes ends without warning (this becomes pronounced especially when you don't have anyone ahead of you to follow, which serves as advance warning) and some other sections have serious potholes.

The best sections are Pembarthi~Ananthapur and Ananthapur ~ Gooty. Gooty ~ Kurnool isn't too bad either, but it sort of gets busier from Kurnool on. Of what I can remember, the only notable place worth visiting on the way is the Lepakshi ruins, which you'll come across soon as you cross into Andhra Pradesh. Look for a sign on the left while in a village, and drive in a couple of kilometers at most. There's a fort on top of a hill in Gooty as well, but I haven't check it out as yet.

I recommend you leave B'lore by about 6 AM, this will allow you to get into Hyderabad by about 4 PM, this without driving the wheels of that e-Zen! You'll avoid the worst traffic at both ends this way. The worst time to drive into Hyderabad is at night, when the truck & video coach traffic hit this road in earnest. Plan to get in before dark if you can.

I'd love to hook up while you're here - however as it stands, things are falling into place for a weekend getaway. I'll stay tuned though.

Zappo · 6th April 2006, 17:20

Amitoj bhai... welcome to hyderabad!

Sathish has already promised you the best of biriyani places else I would have suggested you some. I would have loved to meet you and Goldie... but then I am out of hyderabad during this long weekend. How sad! Btw, you are driving Goldie to hyd and then going back by bus?!! I think you said you have a bus to take on sunday evening...

amitoj · 8th April 2006, 00:09

Thanks for the welcome and the nice responses, guys! The camaraderie at tbhp is so heart warming!!

Zappo, too bad i wont be able to meet u. Hopefully some other time then. Oh and there is no way me n my car can be apart! I will be driving back to blr in my car on sunday.

Satish, i will hold u to that biryani promise. And I'll let u know where i will be heading as soon as i get the exact address. Seems i will need some directions real bad!

Airfoil, thanks for the tip about Lepakshi. Will do my best to visit that place on the way.

Tsk, though i have upgraded my headlights, u have further confirmed my belief that night driving is to be avoided AT ALL COSTS!

By the way, has anyone done Blr - Hyd via Hampi?? Gut feeling says it will be way out of the way but lemme know if thats remotely possible. Wifey is kinda stuck on going to Hampi.

Cheers
Amitoj

tsk1979 · 8th April 2006, 19:37

<quote>Tsk, though i have upgraded my headlights, u have further confirmed my belief that night driving is to be avoided AT ALL COSTS!</quote>
You bet, it was while coming from hyd to blr on the narpur trip that a close shave happened. Big rocks strewn on the road, due to a breakdown truck. With oncoming traffic blinding me I noticed it quite late and my low speed was what saved us. After that we stopped at kurnool as we decided that its too dangerous. NExt morning going back we saw around 4 wrecked cars because they were in a hurry of overtaking at turns.

1st April 2006, 12:45	#1
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Windham, NH USA Posts: 3,405 Thanked: 3,503 Times View My Garage	Planning to do Blr - Hyd over Good Friday weekend .. any suggestions, guys? any specific travel advisory? Are there any sections of the route that are relatively safer than other sections for night driving? Also, how about a meet with TBHPians from Hyderabad over some nice delicious hyderabadi biryani? Cheers Amitoj
	() Thanks

1st April 2006, 18:13	#2
cnu BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 301 Thanked: 121 Times	Hi Amitoj, No special precautions are needed for NH7 between Blr and Hyd. The complete stretch is safe even for night driving but just keep in mind that the full stretch is just 2 lanes except for few kms just after Blr and few kms just before Hyd. I usually do this stretch in the day time. If you want to do it in the day, the best time is to start is latest by 6 AM and reach Hyd by around 5 PM. It usually takes between 10 and 12 hours based on your driving skills and the breaks you take. Cheers cnu P.S: Even I may drive down to Hyd during that weekend. Not yet finalized though.
	() Thanks

1st April 2006, 18:37	#3
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Windham, NH USA Posts: 3,405 Thanked: 3,503 Times View My Garage	Hey thanks cnu. Hows the road? badly potholed? Let me know if u finalise ur plans. If u dont mind, we can go as a convoy of two cars! And i guess the hyd tbhpians arent too keen on a meet, eh? Come on guys.... i need someone to take me to some delicious biryani. Cheers Amitoj
	() Thanks

2nd April 2006, 12:29	#5
cooldude1988765 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,055 Thanked: 222 Times	When is good friday ??? Any day other than 19th, 20th, 21st & 22nd I am ok with the meet !
	() Thanks

2nd April 2006, 19:38	#6
ritik123 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United States Posts: 123 Thanked: 4 Times	I've done this road twice in my maruti van. It took me 12 hours, so on a faster car it should be much less. Roads are excellent, food and petrol bunks are also not a problem. Better to fuel up in AP as petrol wud be cheaper by 2 Rs or so.
	() Thanks

2nd April 2006, 21:33	#7
Vicki_Rau BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 88 Thanked: 5 Times	bangalore - hyderabad Hi amitoj, done this trip many times, plan around 10 hours with a decent driving speed and stops. Just remember that :- 1. you must cross hebbal by 6 am or you are screwed. 2. early morning, you will meet incoming Volvos who drive a little crazily sometimes. 3. carry a little water and some snacks. you will get plenty of refills along the way. 4. plan lunch around Kurnool (4 hours from Hyd). 5. Remember its going to be hot, especially as you near Anantapur (which should be between 10-11am. From then on you will need the AC, because even the wind/breeze is hotttttt!. Enjoy the drive man. Vicki_Rau
	() Thanks

6th April 2006, 11:44	#8
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Windham, NH USA Posts: 3,405 Thanked: 3,503 Times View My Garage	Thanks everyone for the tips! Really appreciated. Jus two more things: 1. Any idea about location of any reliance petrol pumps on the way? I'd prefer to fill up there. 2. Are there any places worth visiting on the way? Cheers Amitoj
	() Thanks

6th April 2006, 15:46	#9
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,688 Thanked: 23,489 Times View My Garage	DO NOT ATTEMPT NIGHT driving. We did bangalore nagpur, and night driving was the worst part. Forget the naxal threat, the road is two lane with lots of blind turns and full of trucks at night. Daytime means good nice roads relatively free of traffic. I suggest, try to get out by 3pm, stop at Indian oil guest house at kurnool, start at 6m in morning and before 9 you are at HYD fresh. Or if you can start at 1pm you can easily make to hyd by 10.
	() Thanks

6th April 2006, 15:48	#10
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,688 Thanked: 23,489 Times View My Garage	Lots of reliance pumps on the way. They start as soon as Bangalore ends.
	() Thanks

6th April 2006, 16:59	#11
satish_appasani Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,114 Thanked: 110 Times View My Garage	amitoj, welcome to Hyd. Let me know where you'll be going to in Hyd, so i can try to put a map or atleast directions. You'll be entering Hyd from the old city side and it would confuse new comers. For biriyani, you have the right contact. I'll treat you with the best biriyani...
	() Thanks

6th April 2006, 17:12	#12
airfoil BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 318 Thanked: 81 Times	Bangalore ~ Hyderabad is a good highway, NH7 all the way. There are a few Reliance bunks spread out all along the way as well. Road conditions are largely good other than smallish bad patches of road. Watch out for sections of terrible strecthes road as you approach Hyderabad though. Four laning work has made some sections on the way to Hyderabad a blast, but the divided highway sometimes ends without warning (this becomes pronounced especially when you don't have anyone ahead of you to follow, which serves as advance warning) and some other sections have serious potholes. The best sections are Pembarthi~Ananthapur and Ananthapur ~ Gooty. Gooty ~ Kurnool isn't too bad either, but it sort of gets busier from Kurnool on. Of what I can remember, the only notable place worth visiting on the way is the Lepakshi ruins, which you'll come across soon as you cross into Andhra Pradesh. Look for a sign on the left while in a village, and drive in a couple of kilometers at most. There's a fort on top of a hill in Gooty as well, but I haven't check it out as yet. I recommend you leave B'lore by about 6 AM, this will allow you to get into Hyderabad by about 4 PM, this without driving the wheels of that e-Zen! You'll avoid the worst traffic at both ends this way. The worst time to drive into Hyderabad is at night, when the truck & video coach traffic hit this road in earnest. Plan to get in before dark if you can. I'd love to hook up while you're here - however as it stands, things are falling into place for a weekend getaway. I'll stay tuned though.
	() Thanks

6th April 2006, 17:20	#13
Zappo Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 5,907 Thanked: 2,746 Times	Amitoj bhai... welcome to hyderabad! Sathish has already promised you the best of biriyani places else I would have suggested you some. I would have loved to meet you and Goldie... but then I am out of hyderabad during this long weekend. How sad! Btw, you are driving Goldie to hyd and then going back by bus?!! I think you said you have a bus to take on sunday evening...
	() Thanks

8th April 2006, 00:09	#14
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Windham, NH USA Posts: 3,405 Thanked: 3,503 Times View My Garage	Thanks for the welcome and the nice responses, guys! The camaraderie at tbhp is so heart warming!! Zappo, too bad i wont be able to meet u. Hopefully some other time then. Oh and there is no way me n my car can be apart! I will be driving back to blr in my car on sunday. Satish, i will hold u to that biryani promise. And I'll let u know where i will be heading as soon as i get the exact address. Seems i will need some directions real bad! Airfoil, thanks for the tip about Lepakshi. Will do my best to visit that place on the way. Tsk, though i have upgraded my headlights, u have further confirmed my belief that night driving is to be avoided AT ALL COSTS! By the way, has anyone done Blr - Hyd via Hampi?? Gut feeling says it will be way out of the way but lemme know if thats remotely possible. Wifey is kinda stuck on going to Hampi. Cheers Amitoj
	() Thanks

8th April 2006, 19:37	#15
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,688 Thanked: 23,489 Times View My Garage	<quote>Tsk, though i have upgraded my headlights, u have further confirmed my belief that night driving is to be avoided AT ALL COSTS!</quote> You bet, it was while coming from hyd to blr on the narpur trip that a close shave happened. Big rocks strewn on the road, due to a breakdown truck. With oncoming traffic blinding me I noticed it quite late and my low speed was what saved us. After that we stopped at kurnool as we decided that its too dangerous. NExt morning going back we saw around 4 wrecked cars because they were in a hurry of overtaking at turns.
	() Thanks