[cit_blr]

Any one recently travelled via Bangalore -> Hosur -> Rayakottai -> Mecheri -> Sankari -> Coimbatore road? Want to know how are the road conditions etc. There were some road widening happening in this stretch. Is it motor-able still?

[kayarem]

Originally Posted by cogWheel

Those of you who are familiar with the Chamarajanagar - Dhimbam route towards Coiimbatore / Mettuplalyam, please recommend hotels with decent washrooms. Planning to drive from Mysore to Coonoor through this route.
Tia.

Nijaguna Hotels and Resorts just outside Chamarajnagar is good. They have a restaurant that is accessible outsiders who don’t stay there. I have stopped there several years ago and this used to be the only place in that area with clean washrooms.

[cogWheel]

We drove from Mysore to Coonoor this morning in our Jimny. Sharing a few updates on the Chamrajnagar - Bannari sections for benefit of others.
Roads surface is good throughout this route (Mysore - Nanjangud - Chamarajanagar - Dhimbam - Bhavanisagar - Mettuplalyam). Two lane carriageway. Oncoming traffic was moderate (6am to just past noon). Frequent speed breakers in the Chamarajnagar - Bhavanisagar section. Otherwise, easy driving.

Stopped at Nijaguna Resorts outside Chamarajnagar for breakfast.
(https://www.google.com/travel/hotels...oGWhjct14f4wB9)
Decent fare. Slow service. Washrooms are rundown but manageable.

Originally Posted by kayarem

Nijaguna Hotels and Resorts just outside Chamarajnagar is good...

@kayarem, saw your post after leaving from there!

Had to stop for a bio-break later on and took a chance at this little place called Sree Udayam Cafe as a board outside advertised "restrooms". This was between Bhavanisagar and Mettuplalyam.
(https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kquuvp7Tk9Kyg2nf8)
Surprisingly, the washrooms were indeed clean. They are under lock and opened only on request. They insisted that we eat something at the place, and so I opted for a Dosa, which again was better than expected. Served on a banana leaf, it was quite nice. So, this place is alright in a pinch!

[amitnair]

Am travelling from BLR to Cochin. Starting from BLR by 4pm, so planning a stop over at Coimbatore. Am looking for pocket friendly hotels near highway exit. It will be helpful if anybody familiar with the locality can recommend decent hotels with car parking and in-house restaurant.

[sen2693]

Hi all,

For folks who frequently travel between Bangalore to Salem/Coimbatore, I am just wondering if anyone has explored any alternate routes. The regular route for me is via NH44 - cross Attibelle, Hosur, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri, the fastest route. On paper. But I have felt the traffic has increased considerably nowadays on this route. On holidays, it gets even worse. And to further make things interesting, a new bridge (or underpass?) is coming up near Sipcot in Hosur, which takes another 30 mins to cross in peak traffic.

Hence, looking for any safe alternate routes (as I travel by night) anyone might have experimented with. There is a route via Bannerghetta stretch that passes via Anekal (have only seen on Maps, dont know the reality how the road itself is). There is a also a new 4 lane stretch built via the Rayakottai-Palacode route but to reach that also you have to cross the traffic intense Attibelle and SIPCOT construction site. Also, not sure if the construction is fully done there.

Looking forward to any suggestions, thanks in advance

[robincsamuel]

Originally Posted by sen2693

Hence, looking for any safe alternate routes (as I travel by night) anyone might have experimented with. There is a route via Bannerghetta stretch that passes via Anekal (have only seen on Maps, dont know the reality how the road itself is).

I too checked this route on maps. I randomly checked the street views, and it looks like mostly small rural roads. I didn't feel safe either, just in case there's a need. Also, even when considering the congestion on the NH, this route still seems to take much more time.

Though there's more traffic on the NH-44, I think we still get better average speed and comfortable ride than these small roads.

[ampere]

Just wait for a year to two. Many options opening up. The first being NH844. It's a 4-lane highway starting before Attibele town at a place called Neralur (close to Ramana Maharishi Aashram). A clover leaf interchange is coming up here.

From here a 4-lane originates and leads into the old Dharmapuri Highway. This used be an old SH via Rayakottai, Palacode. But now this is an in progress 4-lane National Highway with all bypasses to the towns. Once up, you can directly drive all the way to Dharmapuri and continiue further after joining the current 4-lane to Salem. This will avoid the entire outgoing Chennai traffic and the mess at Hosur/Krishnagiri.




Many folks would also have noticed a clover leaf in progress on Dharmapuri bypass. It's the fork NH844.

[sen2693]

Originally Posted by ampere

Just wait for a year to two. Many options opening up. The first being NH844. It's a 4-lane highway starting before Attibele town at a place called Neralur (close to Ramana Maharishi Aashram). A clover leaf interchange is coming up here.

You were correct, need to wait sometime for this. Took this route and it is half cooked. Still work pending in few stretches. But the highway looks neat, hopefuly good once it opens up.

[subbu567]

Hello Folks,

Driving to Pazhani(Palani) from Bangalore on 11th Feb. It is my wife and I visiting Lord Muruga in our Jimny AT. No pressure on time and no kids so planning to take :

BLR(Hennur Road)-Mysore E'Way-Maddur-Kollegala-Hanur-Dhondenling-Dhimbam-Bhavani-Puliyampatti-Palladam- Dharapuram- Pazhani.(Google says 415 KM and 9 hrs 15 mins)

Planned start at 5 am. And pit stops as we roll with no fixed plan. We are Ok to reach say by 4 pm.

Any opinions / Suggestions? Many thanks

Subbu.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by subbu567

Planned start at 5 am. And pit stops as we roll with no fixed plan. We are Ok to reach say by 4 pm.

Any opinions / Suggestions? Many thanks.

Pit stops may need planning, otherwise the route is fine since the Jimny can handle any bad tarmac with ease

Since you start at 5am and exit the Mysore expressway at Maddur, where do you plan your breakfast stop? For lunch you can stop at any good, local eatery around Palladam or Dharapuram.

[subbu567]

Originally Posted by NPV

Pit stops may need planning, otherwise the route is fine since the Jimny can handle any bad tarmac with ease

Thank you, it makes immense sense- So we adjusted the onward journey-drive till Amravathi restaurant just before Mandya and after B/F drive back towards Maddur.

Other pit stops as we roll!

[NPV]

Originally Posted by subbu567

Other pit stops as we roll!

Most hotels in the Bangalore-Mysore stretch open only around 6:45am, do keep that in mind. Also, you need not go that far for breakfast - the Adigas (may be Paakashala now), Maddur Tiffany’s, Shivalli, Indra Dhanush, etc are in Maddur though on the old highway not expressway (I guess there’s an exit to Maddur from the expressway).

[TonyJames]

Hi Everyone, planning for a weekend ride to Mettupalayam. Has anyone tried the Thoppur - Mettur - Anthiyur - Sathiyamangalam stretch?

Is it worth a try?

I will be starting around 5:30 AM from Bangalore and hence will beat the early morning traffic.

[TonyJames]

Originally Posted by amitnair

Am travelling from BLR to Cochin. Starting from BLR by 4pm, so planning a stop over at Coimbatore. Am looking for pocket friendly hotels near highway exit. It will be helpful if anybody familiar with the locality can recommend decent hotels with car parking and in-house restaurant.

If you are looking for Reputed Brands

Below 2 are Good

Gokulam Grand
Le Meridien

They are just 2 minutes from Salem Ernakulam Bypass

For Budget

Try TAG Hotels

All are located in Neelambur, Coimbatore just few kms away from Bypass towards Palakkad.

[amitnair]

Originally Posted by TonyJames

If you are looking for Reputed Brands

Below 2 are Good

Gokulam Grand
Le Meridien

They are just 2 minutes from Salem Ernakulam Bypass

For Budget

Try TAG Hotels

All are located in Neelambur, Coimbatore just few kms away from Bypass towards Palakkad.

Thanks. I completed the journey few week back. I stayed at 'TAG' which is just after exiting NH into Coimbatore. The facility is small. But very neat room, clean sheets etc. They do not have a restaurant. So we chose to eat at a nearby restaurant before check-in. TAG has limited parking, perhaps can accommodate 6-7 cars. Its a good choice for a night halt.