[ampere]

Originally Posted by DieselLover

Thanks again. How do I get back to NH7 (towards Salem) after visiting the park?

Come back on Bannerghatta road till the NICE road junction. Take left on to Hosur road exit. Take the NICE road exit for Hosur (thats NH7).

[NPV]

Originally Posted by DieselLover

How do I get back to NH7 (towards Salem) after visiting the park?

I'd mentioned that in my earlier post (refer below).
Also, I added turn by turn directions for you to go from Ginger to Bannerghatta in another post, please refer that as well

Originally Posted by NPV

For your drive to Kochi - From Bannerghatta park, get back to NICE road and get off at the Hosur Road exit and proceed towards Hosur (other direction is towards Bangalore!).

[nfsfreak]

Friends,

I normally take Bangalore-Dindigul-Kumily-Vandiperiyar-Pamba route to Sabarimala.

But given the road conditions between Dindigul-Kumily, would it be better to take Bangalore-Salem-Palakkad-Thrissur-Thodupuzha-Mundakayam-Pamba route?

This route is longer by around 60 Kms compared to Kumily route but I find the roads in Kerala are good and this should have good roads all the way.
link: https://goo.gl/maps/QEp8D.
The downside I could think off is the traffic and not sure about crossing towns like Palakkad, Trissur etc.

Your views on this route and suggestions on any other viable alternate to bypass dindigul-kumily stretch?

[NPV]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

The downside I could think off is the traffic and not sure about crossing towns like Palakkad, Trissur etc.

Palakkad is not much of problem, NH47 has a good bypass towards Thrissur.
Alternatively, you can take Avinashi bypass-Mangalam-Palladam-Pollachi-Kollengode-Vadakkencherry and reach closer to Thrissur.
Not sure about Thrissur-Thodupuzha and beyond.

[sourav9385]

Originally Posted by silversteed

You already have the best route...the rest of it is good, and 4-laned.

Thanks! You wouldn't happen to have taken this route before by any chance, have you?
If yes, how long does it take to cover the distance? I'm guessing 10-11 hours?

Originally Posted by NPV

This route should be good...Hope you meant NH47 from Salem onwards (Erode town is bypassed on this route)

Thanks! Yes, Google Maps seems to indicate that the NH47 does bypass Erode.

What would be the best time to travel on this route?
Start early in the morning from Chennai and reach Thrissur by evening? Or start in the evening from Chennai and reach Thrissur by morning?

[NPV]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

Thanks! Yes, Google Maps seems to indicate that the NH47 does bypass Erode.

What would be the best time to travel on this route?
Start early in the morning from Chennai and reach Thrissur by evening? Or start in the evening from Chennai and reach Thrissur by morning?

These days the Salem bypass has more town traffic so becomes a pain sometimes. I would say, start early and try to cross Salem before 8am if possible.
After Salem, the 4 lane roads are pretty good enough to handle the traffic. Only a little painful is the L&T Coimbatore bypass to Walayar section more because of rough roads, road widening work and 2 lane section on L&T bypass (and having to show the same toll receipt at multiple toll booths!).

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

how long does it take to cover the distance? I'm guessing 10-11 hours?

I'm a regular on the Bangalore-Palakkad stretch. Salem-Palakkad is about 3 hours. Haven't done Chennai-Salem recently, but it'd taken me about 6 hours, long back. And Palakkad-Thrissur would take you 1-2 hours, depending on the traffic condition on the Kuthiran stretch where it is still 2-laned.

What would be the best time to travel on this route?
Start early in the morning from Chennai and reach Thrissur by evening? Or start in the evening from Chennai and reach Thrissur by morning?

My experiences with overnight drives haven't been very encouraging, as the truck traffic had slowed me down at many stretches. But an early morning start has helped always.

[sourav9385]

Originally Posted by NPV

...I would say, start early and try to cross Salem before 8am if possible...

Crossing Salem before 8 AM ?

Doesn't it take like 6 hours or so to reach Salem from Chennai by road?

Originally Posted by silversteed

...My experiences with overnight drives haven't been very encouraging...But an early morning start has helped always.

Great! Thanks. So I guess starting early makes more sense. Hopefully the trip can be completed within 12 hours or so.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

Crossing Salem before 8 AM ?

Ideally, yes. Else the traffic thickens progressively.

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

Crossing Salem before 8 AM ?

Doesn't it take like 6 hours or so to reach Salem from Chennai by road?



Great! Thanks. So I guess starting early makes more sense. Hopefully the trip can be completed within 12 hours or so.

Chennai to salem takes roughly about 6 hrs. To cross salem before 8 AM, you will have to probably leave Chennai by 2 AM. For this sleep early the previous night. Ensure atleast 7 hrs sleep. I know it will be tough going to bed that early say by 7 PM.
Don't push yourselves for the sake of completing the journey in 12 hrs. If you feel sleepy enroute, stop the car near a toll plaza and have a short nap. This will recharge your batteries.

[sunil8089]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

Crossing Salem before 8 AM ?

Doesn't it take like 6 hours or so to reach Salem from Chennai by road?

Great! Thanks. So I guess starting early makes more sense. Hopefully the trip can be completed within 12 hours or so.

I always suggest a day time travel, especially the Ulundurpet - Salem as its two lanes at various stretches.

Whenever I travel to Ernakulam, the schedule is as follows:

4:30 Start from Chennai.
8:30 Ulundurpet Toll booth (Breakfast - 30 minutes)
11:00 Salem (refill the petrol - 10 minutes)
1:00 Neelambur - L&T Bye pass
2:00 Walayar / Kanchikkode (Lunch - 45 minutes)
4:00 Mannuthy (tea break - 10 minutes)
6:30 Ernakulam (depends on traffic)

Since I goes along with family usually I go slower with sufficient breaks. Otherwise you can cover the same in 10 - 11 hours.

Which part of Chennai you are staying?

[sourav9385]

Originally Posted by sunil8089

...
4:30 Start from Chennai.
8:30 Ulundurpet Toll booth (Breakfast - 30 minutes)
11:00 Salem (refill the petrol - 10 minutes)
1:00 Neelambur - L&T Bye pass
2:00 Walayar / Kanchikkode (Lunch - 45 minutes)
4:00 Mannuthy (tea break - 10 minutes)
6:30 Ernakulam (depends on traffic)

Which part of Chennai you are staying?

Thanks! That itinerary looks pretty good. I'll try something similar to that in August.

I'm in Thiruvanmiyur.

[sunil8089]

Thanks, I stay at Velacherry and don't think there will be much change in timings.
Onward journey I don't see any pain points other than the two toll plazas (Chengalpettu and Thindivanam) - primarily due to the lack of discipline of drivers.

But while returning back in this route, beware of the following:
- Umpteen number of Sand Lorries after Villupuram (to Chennai), which should be careful,
- Horrible traffic between Chengalpettu (especially Vandaloor) to Tambaram.

By returning back on Sundays, you can manage the above problems to certain extend. One time I tried Bangalore highway (diverting from Salem). It tool me more time, distance, fuel, tolls and finally no significant change in traffic. Otherways divert from Chengalpettu to Thirupporoor (Set Neelankarai in GPS) to reach Thiruvanmiyur.

[couswheels]

Originally Posted by sourav9385

Gentlemen!

What would be the most comfortable route from Chennai to Thrissur?

I'm not looking at anything scenic. Need a route that has highways with dividers, plenty of rest stops, good & smooth motor-able roads.

Would the usual route through Tindivanam be any good? I'm thinking Chennai-Chengalpattu-Tindivanam-Ulundurpet-Salem-Erode-Coimbatore-Palakkad-Trichur.

If not, what would you suggest?
Like I've mentioned before, we prefer highways that have dividers, even if it means spending an hour extra in the car, driving another extra 100 kms.

Planning to do this route during end of August, during Onam.

Any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks & cheers!

I did Chennai - Guruvayoor - Chennai last weekend. Refer to the following link

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3735876

[DieselLover]

Just returned from a Kochi-Bangalore-Bannerghatta-Kochi trip. Update on road conditions:

1. Started from Kalamassery on Thursday 12 30 PM and reached Whitefield by 10 30 PM. Took the normal NH47-NH7 route.
2. The section between Mannuthy and Vadakkenchery has some potholes. Need to be careful while driving at night. Some are really nasty
3. Excellent 4 lane after Vadakkenchery till near Walayar.
4. The section between Walayar and the beginning of L&T bye-pass is in pathetic shape. There are no roads at all in some places. I had a tough time negotiating this section in heavy rain at night on the way back
5. Road near Bannerghatta is bad.
6. Started return (from Bannerghatta ) at 12 PM on Saturday and reached home by Mid night. Took multiple stops and drive slowly due to heavy rain after Coimatore.