[vasoo]

Originally Posted by gandalf

Hi All,
..
For going to Chalakudi I was thinking of the Below route
Salem-> Perendurai -> Pollachi -> Wadakancheri -> Thrissur -> Chalakudy
Any other Suggestions for a faster route?
...

I would suggest the classic route through L&T bye-pass, Walayar, Kuthiran to go to Thrissur. I am sure this will be faster than any other route.
The roads are pretty good all the way except Kuthiran. You can also try Ottapalam route to avoid this section. Avanashi bye-pass is almost done with a few diversions. I did Bangalore > Kottayam in 10 hours and Thrissur > Bangalore in 8 hours with about an hour break each during last week. Both were early morning starts.

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by vasoo

I would suggest the classic route through L&T bye-pass, Walayar, Kuthiran to go to Thrissur. I am sure this will be faster than any other route.

I agree completely. The NH 7/ NH 47 combination would be the fastest. The Ottappalam route would add another 30 - 40 mins to the travel time.

[kala]

Originally Posted by pramodpk

I agree completely. The NH 7/ NH 47 combination would be the fastest. The Ottappalam route would add another 30 - 40 mins to the travel time.

How much time does the stretch from Paliyekkara toll (Trichur) to Chandranagar (Palghat) take now ? (It's about 68 kms).

Just checked the GPX data of my Ernakulam Bangalore trip in mid November and found that it took me approx. 1 hr 35 minutes to cover the same stretch via Trichur town-Shoranur-Ottappalam (93.5 kms). This was of course early in the morning (6 AM to 7:35 AM), so I'd expect it to take somewhat longer once the traffic picks up during the day.

[M35]

Originally Posted by kala

How much time does the stretch from Paliyekkara toll (Trichur) to Chandranagar (Palghat) take now ? (It's about 68 kms).

Just checked the GPX data of my Ernakulam Bangalore trip in mid November and found that it took me approx. 1 hr 35 minutes to cover the same stretch via Trichur town-Shoranur-Ottappalam (93.5 kms). This was of course early in the morning (6 AM to 7:35 AM), so I'd expect it to take somewhat longer once the traffic picks up during the day.

Yes It will. You could probably do it in about 2.0 hrs.But if you are not in that hurry, I prefer the ottapalm route any day. Also there is a new functional bridge at wadankanchery so that you don't have worry about wasting time at the railway cross.

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by kala

1 hr 35 minutes to cover the same stretch via Trichur town-Shoranur-Ottappalam (93.5 kms).

Originally Posted by M35

Yes It will. You could probably do it in about 2.0 hrs.But if you are not in that hurry

It will take 2.25 - 2.5 hours in peak traffic and you could get stuck in mutliple towns. I covered Paliyekkara to Chandra Nagar in 1.5 hours between 7:50 AM to 9:20 AM.

[naveen.raju]

Thrissur - Palghat isnt all that bad except for few huge potholes and bumpy ride. I would say a max of 20 kms of bad roads.

Here are the details of my recent trip to Blore

25th Dec
Cochin - Blore covered in 7.5 hours (Start time 4am)

1st Jan
Blore - Cochin covered in 9.5 hours (Start time 11.30am)

Took around 4 hours to cover Coimbatore - Cochin. Heavy traffic after Walayar.

NH-47/NH-7 recommended. They have patched few huge potholes last week.

[jacs]

Guys,

Any latest update on

Ernakulam - Athirappilly - Vazhachaal - Sholayar - Valparai - Aliyar - Anamalai - Chemmanampathy - Vadakkencherry

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by kala

How much time does the stretch from Paliyekkara toll (Trichur) to Chandranagar (Palghat) take now ? (It's about 68 kms).

It should be 1hr 30 mins max, with little bit bumpy ride (except for peak traffic hours)

Originally Posted by jacs

Guys,

Any latest update on

Ernakulam - Athirappilly - Vazhachaal - Sholayar - Valparai - Aliyar - Anamalai - Chemmanampathy - Vadakkencherry

Ernakulam-Vazhachal till Kerala border is in very good shape.

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by jacs

Guys,

Any latest update on

Ernakulam - Athirappilly - Vazhachaal - Sholayar - Valparai - Aliyar - Anamalai - Chemmanampathy - Vadakkencherry

Planning a Valparai trip? When?

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Cochin - Blore covered in 7.5 hours (Start time 4am)

7.5 hours?? Do you have aft burners on your ride ?

[jacs]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Ernakulam-Vazhachal till Kerala border is in very good shape.

Thanks coolclouds.

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

Planning a Valparai trip? When?

Hey Buddy, check out the below link. I was asking you or HVK for related help .
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-valparai.html

BTW planning a day trip on 19th to Drive from Kochi via Athirapally - Vazhachaal - Valparai and back via straight Pollachi road.

[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

7.5 hours?? Do you have aft burners on your ride ?

. Being Xmas, road was completely empty. Even I was surprised to see that we reached so fast. Also took a 45 min break for breakfast. Reached Koramangala in 7.5 hours. Was able to maintain a good top speed but nothing exceeding 140.

[vasoo]

Originally Posted by kala

How much time does the stretch from Paliyekkara toll (Trichur) to Chandranagar (Palghat) take now ? (It's about 68 kms).

Just checked the GPX data of my Ernakulam Bangalore trip in mid November and found that it took me approx. 1 hr 35 minutes to cover the same stretch via Trichur town-Shoranur-Ottappalam (93.5 kms). This was of course early in the morning (6 AM to 7:35 AM), so I'd expect it to take somewhat longer once the traffic picks up during the day.

While coming back from Thrissur, it took me about 1 hr 35 minutes to cover the distance of about 60 kms between Mannuthy and Chandranagar. Started at 5 AM and it was dark while driving through Kuthiran. High beams of trucks/buses and poor lighting affects the speed here. Should be able to cover the same distance in about 70 minutes in daylight. did not measure the time while going in opposite direction.

[gandalf]

Originally Posted by arjithin

What time do you plan to start from BGLR? if you plan to start late morning or afternoon, then Pollachi route makes sense to avoid traffic. You can find updates about both routes in the last 3-4 pages of this thread.

Originally Posted by vasoo

I would suggest the classic route through L&T bye-pass, Walayar, Kuthiran to go to Thrissur. I am sure this will be faster than any other route.
The roads are pretty good all the way except Kuthiran. You can also try Ottapalam route to avoid this section. Avanashi bye-pass is almost done with a few diversions. I did Bangalore > Kottayam in 10 hours and Thrissur > Bangalore in 8 hours with about an hour break each during last week. Both were early morning starts.

thanks vasoo and arjithn for the advice. I will be starting early from bangalore.

anyone tried the below route. is it drivable?? I am returning alone so am willing to experiment a bit. If anyone has any ideas about this route please update.

Adoor -> Pathanapuram -> Punalur -> Tenkasi -> Tirumangalam -> Madurai -> Salem -> Bangalore

[anand_lukose]

My Brother travelled from cochin to bangalore on Jan 2nd. Started at 4 am from cochin and reached electronic city by 1pm with a half an hour break in btw.

The major issue was Thrissur to Palakkad. He said that the road is very bad and some craters deep enough to cause real damage ! He felt tired after the ordeal and stopped at Comibatore for the break. The stretch after that is fine.

When i used a cab recently, the driver suggested doing the Thrissur-Palakkad stretch via Ottapaalam. Not sure about the time that can be saved but is a defn stress free drive. it is longer by 25-30 kms.