[tilt]

I am driving to Chennai tomorrow morning. Planning to leave Bangalore around 5:30 a.m. Hope that's not too late a time to start.

I am leaving from Malleswaram. I have not driven BLR-MAA in over 35 years - hell, I have not driven in India for over 20 years. I know there are two routes - Hosur/Krishnagiri and Chittoor.

My question to all of you here is: Which route would be better to take in terms of better roads and quicker transit time?

Also, has anyone attempted to do this with an iPhone5-based GPS - wither google maps or Waze or ...? Is the mobile network decent enough to be able to handle online maps consistently?

Cheers

[Secretariat]

Originally Posted by tilt

Which route would be better to take in terms of better roads and quicker transit time?

• Not much difference in time although the Chittoor route is some 20 kms shorter
• The Hosur / Krishnagiri route is dual carriageway all the way through. The Chittoor route has some 125 kms of singe carriageway between Mulbagal and Walajahpet. For that reason, since you are driving in India after a long time, the Krishnagiri route may be better
• Both routes converge near Walajahpet The road is patchy and bumpy from thereon through to Chennai, but no major issue.
• Depending on where in Chennai you want to go to, there are choices from Sriperumbudur onwards , although you could still do the straight road and arrive ! - see earlier posts on this thread for options.

5.30 start is OK, but obviously the earlier the better !

You really don't need a GPS other than to negotiate inside either Bangalore or Chennai - else its just a straight road and signposted. Inside both cities mobile connectivity and GPS using google maps is not an issue.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by tilt

I am leaving from Malleswaram. I have not driven BLR-MAA in over 35 years - hell, I have not driven in India for over 20 years. I know there are two routes - Hosur/Krishnagiri and Chittoor.

There will be some moments for reality check. But dont worry its fun! If not, we won't exist as a forum; would we?

My question to all of you here is: Which route would be better to take in terms of better roads and quicker transit time?

Take the Hosur/Krishnagiri/Vellore road.

Also, has anyone attempted to do this with an iPhone5-based GPS - wither google maps or Waze or ...? Is the mobile network decent enough to be able to handle online maps consistently?

Many people use it now a days. But you will need to keep it powered all the time.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by tilt

My question to all of you here is: Which route would be better to take in terms of better roads and quicker transit time?

No second thoughts. Stick to GQ

[suresh_gs]

Hi all

I had been to Chennai for my visa interview on Friday. For the onward journey, took the KSRTC AIRAVAT BLISS multi axle. The bus left Shantinagar bus depot at 5:05 PM. There was heavy traffic jam near bommanahalli junction. By the time the bus reached Kamat upachar near Shoolagiri, it was 7 PM.
The bus was driven so slow that I was aghast seeing lorries overtake the Volvo. I noticed hammers in place close to emergency exit windows. Post Baluchetty Chatram, the road is awful to say the least. I could feel the rumblings even in a multiaxle The bus was caught in a massive traffic jam close to Maduravoyal on the account of lorry break down.
Finally the bus reached Koyembedu at 1 AM.
For the return journey, I took SHAMA SARDAR MULTI AXLE VOLVO.I boarded the bus at Egmore at 3:40 PM. The bus reached koyembedu close to 5 PM. Waited for about 40 minutes for the passengers to board the bus. Unlike the KSRTC multi axle, this one was driven fast but not rash.
I too noticed the presence of hammers close to emergency exit windows. Un like the onward stretch from Baluchetty Chatram to Chennai, the road from Chennai to Baluchetty Chatram is far better.
The bus reached Bommanahalli at 11:30 PM. The toll at sriperumbudur is atrocious. They charge Rs 45 for single trip by car and Rs 70 for the return trip. The road is not worth paying toll.

[aneezan]

Originally Posted by Secretariat

• Not much difference in time although the Chittoor route is some 20 kms shorter
• The Hosur / Krishnagiri route is dual carriageway all the way through. The Chittoor route has some 125 kms of singe carriageway between Mulbagal and Walajahpet. For that reason, since you are driving in India after a long time, the Krishnagiri route may be better
• Both routes converge near Walajahpet The road is patchy and bumpy from thereon through to Chennai, but no major issue.
• Depending on where in Chennai you want to go to, there are choices from Sriperumbudur onwards , although you could still do the straight road and arrive ! - see earlier posts on this thread for options.

.

Thanks for this information. I am driving to Chennai on 9th July and plan to start sometime around 3:00pm. Though I prefer the dual carriageway, my home in Bangalore is very close to the Chittoor route and i can save possibly up to 30 Km if I use this route.
However:-
- I have not completed a trip on this route before
- The last time I tried from Chennai, I was told to return at a check-post due to the un-rest in Andhra.

Any latest updates would help.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by aneezan

Thanks for this information. I am driving to Chennai on 9th July and plan to start sometime around 3:00pm. Though I prefer the dual carriageway, my home in Bangalore is very close to the Chittoor route and i can save possibly up to 30 Km if I use this route.
However:-
- I have not completed a trip on this route before
- The last time I tried from Chennai, I was told to return at a check-post due to the un-rest in Andhra.

Any latest updates would help.

I did the Chittoor route on June 9 this year and it was fine. No unrest, no trouble.

Cheers

[aneezan]

Originally Posted by tilt

I did the Chittoor route on June 9 this year and it was fine. No unrest, no trouble.

Cheers

Thanks tilt. Will take it then. Hoping for an fun and UN-eventful journey in my new car.

[binand]

Originally Posted by aneezan

- The last time I tried from Chennai, I was told to return at a check-post due to the un-rest in Andhra.

Originally Posted by tilt

I did the Chittoor route on June 9 this year and it was fine. No unrest, no trouble.

Now that the new state has been formed and two separate governments have sworn in, I don't expect trouble about this matter in the near future. This route is back to normal.

[SRTH1987]

Will be driving to Bangalore from Chennai this weekend and back from Bangalore on Sunday. If anybody wants to come along please let me know. Thanks

[aneezan]

Just completed the Bangalore to Chennai route through. Initially, with less traffic, it was fun to drive on the twisties of the single laned road through Mulbagal and Walajahpet. But the traffic increased towards the evening and it slowed progress.

[ajitkommini]

I'm planning to drive down to Chennai next weekend (Friday the 18th of July). Will start by 6.30 - 7.00 am and take the NH7 / NH45 route.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by ajitkommini

I'm planning to drive down to Chennai next weekend (Friday the 18th of July). Will start by 6.30 - 7.00 am and take the NH7 / NH45 route.

If you're taking the Chennai road from Krishnagiri it's NH 46 not 45
I would suggest starting between 3-4am (latest 5am) for a much more peaceful drive.

[ajitkommini]

Originally Posted by NPV

If you're taking the Chennai road from Krishnagiri it's NH 46 not 45
I would suggest starting between 3-4am (latest 5am) for a much more peaceful drive.

Ah NH46 yes. Also AH45. Anyway, thats the road. 3-4 am is pretty hard, but the good part of it is I'm not on a schedule so journey time is not really an issue. Hoping to make it to Chennai around lunch time.

[satan's_valet]

Is it just me or have roads worsened from Ranipet to Chennai? I drove to Chennai last night and for the first time, ended up with a slight back pain after reaching home.

The worsening roads and an unusually high lorry traffic made the ride very uncomfortable. :thumbdown: