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Add additional police (election commission) checkpoints ,due to upcoming election. Instead if 2AM, I would suggest a 4AM start, so that you get a 6 hour sleep before starting. 4 AM ensures that you pass Salem before city wakes up. By 10-11 AM you can reach Walayar and drive comfortable on day time. Even if your baby wakes up in the last leg of journey, it won't be of much issue. A 2AM start converts to no sleep, due to the associated tensions. ☺

We do this once in three months for last few years, with my baby (now he is 4 years old). We always start by 3.15-3.30 AM, and reach sharavana bhavan by 6-6.15. Couple of times, we were the first guys to reach there :D This is the best place to change the napkin and freshen up your baby.
After a break of around 30-45 mins, driving sedately, we have always managed to reach Irinjalakuda by 11.30-12.00.

I have always felt that 3.00 - 3.30 is the sweet spot for starting an early morning drive since the truck traffic will be at a lull and you can use the conditions to the best and can cover a good distance before you stop for breakfast.
Starting earlier than 3.00, you will be encountering more truck traffic, and you will be compromising on your sleep, so may end up getting fatigued earlier.

--Anoop

Thank you folks! Those are really helpful.

We bought her a new infant seat recently, planning to take her on a spin this weekend to see how comfortable she is and to check how good she can adapt to the new seat.
Even Saravana Bhavan is our Breakfast stop on our usual trips and they can be relied on any day for an early breakfast .
Cheers!

Cheers!

The Saravana Bhavan at Vaikundam (before the toll, on the left side) and Sree Saravana Bhavan Classic (after the turn-off to Sankari town, on the right side) did not serve breakfast before 6 o'clock when I'd done the overnighters. With a 1 o'clock start, you will be closer to Neelambur at around that time. I'd once stopped at a decent "-Bhavan" veg restaurant a short distance before the L&T bypass. You may want to try that instead.

If you're headed to Thrissur, you may consider the Avinashi-Mangalam-Pollachi-Vadakkenchery-Mannuthy route too, for a smoother drive

This used to be my route earlier, but with the current road conditions of Salem-Coimbatore-Walayar-palakkad-Vadakkancherry, I do not see any benefit in taking this route anymore. The only bad stretch if you take the Coimbatore is after the L&T bypass and that stretch is manageable in daylight.

--Anoop

Sree Saravana Bhavan Classic didn't have anything ready at 7:15 AM when I stopped there few weeks back.

I wouldn't take Pollachi route any more. The only bad stretch is the walayar to CBE bypass section, but can easily do in 20-25 minutes. This detour is not worth, especially when travelling with an infant.

I did a recent drive through Kulathuppuzha - Anchal- Chadayamangalam- Pallickal - Kallambalam stretch and it is in very good condition.

I was referring to THIS Hotel Sree Saravana Bhavan but then those were during my usual drives starting at 4AM from Kammanahalli.

This time around will try our luck with the one that you had mentioned before L&T bye pass. Please ping if you remember the name by any chance.
Even I'm sticking with Coimbatore ~ Palakkad stretch for the last few trips.

Cheers!

Folks.. any update on the Palakkad-Perinthalmanna-Nilamboor-Vazhikadavu-Goodallur route? It has been very long since I travelled on that road. Most likely driving solo on Sunday, and hence thought I can try that route.

Nothing to worry about in Palakkad-Perinthalmanna-Nilambur-Vazhikadavu.

Road from Vazhikadavu upto KL-TN border are recently repaired and in very good condition. From the border till Nadugani junction there are a few bad patches where you need to be careful. Beyond that it is quite good till Gudalur and beyond. My Calicut-Bangalore trip report from Feb last week is in the relevant thread.

Palakkad-Mannarkkad-Melattur-Pandikkad-Nilambur may be a slightly better option with respect to traffic. Less of maniac buses and avoids Perinthalmanna.

The route via Karuvarakkundu from Melattur to Nilambur is also good - rubberised tarmac for most of the section and also sees less traffic.

Folks, planning to visit Guruvayur from Mysore mid April. Google maps showing two routes one via Kalpetta and the other via Gudalur and Nilambur. Which is the preferred option? Planning to start early on Saturday and return back Sunday evening.

Gudalur - Nilambur should be the best option. With roads in the forest repaired, should be a comfortable drive.

Gudalur route should be the shorter option. There are reports that the roads are repaired now. You should start around 4.30-4.45 AM so that you reach the checkpost just in time for the checkpost opening and can cover some distance in Kerala before traffic picks up. Similarly return you should plan to reach the checkpost before 9pm.