[chipsnchops]

Originally Posted by rknair

Successfully completed this journey and here I am with the details. I think there is no point rambling on the route and road quality; this route is way too familiar for the members of this forum. Instead, let me share the detailed plan I used so that it will motivate others to take up this route.

Trip summary:
Total Distance: 3316.4 km (~1300 km either way + remaining within Kerala including a trip to Harippad)
Drivers: 2. My wife & me.
Ride: Mahindra Xylo E6.

Onward Journey:
Day 1: Home at Hyderabad to Dindigul. Start at 4:45 AM, reached by 7:55 PM - 947km - 15:10 hours. Top speed 140 km/hr.
Day 2: Dindigul to my in-laws place near Amaravila. Start at 8:00 AM, reached by 3:00 PM. 341 km - 7 hrs. Top speed 136 km/hr.

Return Journey:
Day 1: In-laws home to Bangalore. Start at 5:35 AM, reached Attibele by 3:46 PM - 707km - 10:11 hours. Top speed 146 km/hr.
Day 2: Cousin's house in Bangalore to Hyderabad. Start at 6:35 AM reached ORR Gachibowli by 2:00 PM. 573 km - 7:25 hrs. Top speed 141 km.

Highlights:

I usually prepare a very detailed route plan with possible speeds and timings for each stretch and track the journey against the plan to see how I am faring. You can see that my plan was fairly accurate.

Total Toll: Rs. 2208/- Details with Date and Time are below.
Attachment 1038140

Bottom line: Is Hyderabad-Thiruvananthapuram possible in a day? Yes. We were very confident to do that especially on our return journey, but we decided against it since we had few relatives to meet in Bangalore. But there are lot of factors which could upset that plan. So attempt it at your own risk, with a backup plan.

I was actually inspired by this detailed thread and decided to follow the same. I was driving alone.

I did Hyderabad Trivandrum in about 18 hours. Started at 0415 h from Gachiobowli and was home at Peroorkada by 2230 h.

Vehicle : Scorpio N Z8L 2WD Manual

I only stopped for loo breaks and fuel breaks. I had plenty of homemade snacks that I could munch on while driving and I don't eat heavy lunch esp when I drive alone. I tend to feel sleepy post-lunch.

Since I was driving alone, I could not do a detailed study of all the stops and timing. So I took the toll entries from PayTM transactions and made a table. That would show the timing and the amount paid at the toll.

I was not planning to drive the whole way but I reached Dindigul early evening and wasn't even very tired. So thought of stopping at Madhurai. Stopped there, looked for some places to stay (and lost about 30 mins there). There was still daylight and reaching home and snuggling into a nice bed and getting up late looked quite alluring. So decided to go all the way.

Hyderabad - Trivandrum is very doable in a day. You need to start as early as possible from Hyderabad so that you cross Banglore as early as possible. Even though I reached by 1030 h, I decided to just follow google maps. I strongly recommend using google maps especially when you are crossing the city because it will take you through the best route possible at that time based on traffic conditions . It took me across Banglore through two different routes while I was going and coming and I did not get stuck in any traffic jam anywhere.

Nagarcoil to Trivandrum is the worst stretch of all. Avoid this route during day time at all costs. Luckily I crossed post 8.30 pm. So a lot of shops had closed thus reducing civilian movements. The trucks and buses that ply on that road will always be there unless you travel between midnight and early morning (like 4 am).

Google maps showed another route, but it had tolls and it was also 28 mins slower. So just went through the grind from Nagarcoil till I reached Tvm.

Except for this stretch, all roads are fantastic. Here also the road is fine, but it is a two-lane highway that caters to one of the heaviest highway traffic in the country.

Here are the toll details. Hope this helps.

[irs_2s]

Dear all, A friend of mine has invited me and a common friend over for a function in Thiruvananthapuram. My plan is to do a all-round road trip, Hyderabad to TVM and back. Mostly it would be 3 or 4 of us and the car is swift Dzire diesel 2010.

I would like the inputs from fellow travelers regarding halts in between and good places to see (temple visits and architecture is a bonus). All of us are sober drivers none go over 90kmph and avoid night driving.

Plan is to leave Hyderabad in morning of 16th December and be back on 27th December. Stay in TVM is for 5 days.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by irs_2s

Dear all, A friend of mine has invited me and a common friend over for a function in Thiruvananthapuram. My plan is to do a all-round road trip, Hyderabad to TVM and back. Mostly it would be 3 or 4 of us and the car is swift Dzire diesel 2010.

I would like the inputs from fellow travelers regarding halts in between and good places to see (temple visits and architecture is a bonus). All of us are sober drivers none go over 90kmph and avoid night driving.

Plan is to leave Hyderabad in morning of 16th December and be back on 27th December. Stay in TVM is for 5 days.

You can take halt in Bangalore or Hosur or Salem. Yercaud (hill station) is a good place to visit but it is 30 Kms away from Salem and you will have to return to Salem to proceed towards Trivandrum.

[maximus_fiat]

Hello All, I am planning a road trip from Hyderabad to Varkala. Will be driving with family and I will only do the driving duties. Plan is to leave Hyderabad by lunch time. Any suggestions on ideal halt locations ?

I have previously done 15-16 hrs. drive on multiple occasions on Hyd - BBSR route. This will be first time I will be driving on the Bangalore route.

[rknair]

Originally Posted by maximus_fiat

Hello All, I am planning a road trip from Hyderabad to Varkala. Will be driving with family and I will only do the driving duties. Plan is to leave Hyderabad by lunch time. Any suggestions on ideal halt locations ?

Usually I start at 5 am from Hyderabad cross / by pass Bangalore between 1pm - 3pm and stay overnight at Krishnagiri or Dharmapuri. Second day you can easily reach Varkala by 2-3 pm. But since you are starting by lunch time, halting at North Bengaluru would be appropriate. Second day start early so that you can cross Bangalore before the traffic picks up and will reach Varkala by evening. Beware that the traffic during evening peak hours between Nagercoil and Thiruvananthapuram is really crazy.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by maximus_fiat

Hello All, I am planning a road trip from Hyderabad to Varkala. Will be driving with family and I will only do the driving duties. Plan is to leave Hyderabad by lunch time. Any suggestions on ideal halt locations ?

I have previously done 15-16 hrs. drive on multiple occasions on Hyd - BBSR route. This will be first time I will be driving on the Bangalore route.

As mentioned by rknair, you can stay at the entry of bangalore. But if you are entering bangalore late (after 10-11PM), then you can consider to cross bangalore and stay in Electronic city or Hosur)

[ampere]

I agree with other here. If you arrive late in Bangalore, I would say cross at night to Hosur and then take a break.

There are some good hotels in Hosur on the highway which you can use. Hotel Hills, TGI Platina etc are few.

[maximus_fiat]

Originally Posted by rknair

Usually I start at 5 am from Hyderabad cross / by pass Bangalore between 1pm - 3pm and stay overnight at Krishnagiri or Dharmapuri. Second day you can easily reach Varkala by 2-3 pm. But since you are starting by lunch time, halting at North Bengaluru would be appropriate. Second day start early so that you can cross Bangalore before the traffic picks up and will reach Varkala by evening. Beware that the traffic during evening peak hours between Nagercoil and Thiruvananthapuram is really crazy.

Originally Posted by arun_josie

As mentioned by rknair, you can stay at the entry of bangalore. But if you are entering bangalore late (after 10-11PM), then you can consider to cross bangalore and stay in Electronic city or Hosur)

Originally Posted by ampere

I agree with other here. If you arrive late in Bangalore, I would say cross at night to Hosur and then take a break.

There are some good hotels in Hosur on the highway which you can use. Hotel Hills, TGI Platina etc are few.

Thanks for all the valuable suggestions / inputs. Completed a round trip from Hyderabad & Varkala last week.

We started at 6 PM from Hyderabad and crossed Bangalore at around 4 AM. Quite surprised to see traffic lights working at that time and people following it as well . I drove on till Madurai and called it off for the day.

While coming back, we stayed in Hosur for the night.

[kanthaswamy.g@g]

Team,
I am a new member at Team bhp owing a Grand i10 petrol 2018 sportz.

Kindly advice me if driving from Hyderabad -Hitech City area to Cumbum (theni district) in Tamilnadu would be meaningful in my car with my wife and 2 boys.
Although, I have had driving as a passion during my 30s when I owned a ambassador 1960 OHV with Isuzu G1, it has been many years I am not fond of driving as my family isn't much supportive for long trips.

We are generally only travelling by air to either coimbatore or madurai multiple times.

Please advice me the route options with breaks whereever necessary.

I would like to start by Friday evening 4.30 PM or early Saturday around 4.30 AM

Appreciate your valuable inputs