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I had done Goa-Bangalore-Kochi in May and the route taken was Goa-Mollem-Anmod-Dharwad BP-Bangalore-Kochi and roads are generally very good except some portions in Goa (due to construction), near Alanavar and Kuthiran. And of course, the Coimbatore BP, which is an eternal pain. I took 10 hours for Goa (Candolim) - Bangalore and 9 hours for Bangalore - Kochi with stay at Bangalore (Yelahanka).

Thanks, but my query was specifically regarding the route to Tumkur from Coimbatore through Kollegal-Kunigal. This route, if road conditions are reasonable, means avoiding Salem Hosur Bangalore altogether.

Frankly, I don't think you need to avoid Salem-Hosur-Bangalore at all. In that long a drive the savings to be had by taking the Dimbam ghats route might not amount to much. The only positives are the "scenic drive" aspect and savings on toll. On the other hand even the smallest accident or stuck truck often results in long jams along this route. It goes through many small towns without bypasses too.

The roads are good except for some construction activity around TN-KA border near.
But this route eventually will take more time due to long stretches of 2 lane highways with lot of two-wheeler traffic and a ghat section with 27 hairpin bends. I would advice you to continue with Avinashi-Salem-Bangalore (bypass through NICE road)- Kunigal for a faster and peaceful drive. The Kollegal route is very scenic though, passing through forest areas with chances of wildlife sightings.

Why they are forcing to exit the route within 2 hours? Is it during daytime or night?

During night, it is closed for traffic completely. This is day time restriction.

So I went this way again on Friday. This time I did the full route, which is: https://goo.gl/maps/dpG33e4AFGS2

This is about 10 km/15 minutes longer than the route via Malappuram-Kondotty (which you can see if you remove the middle stop from the map above) but it is so much more peaceful.

Manjery town seems to be awake all-night nowadays due the the medical college. Many stalls for tea/refreshments that are open all night. Next such location is Calicut Medical College.

(On the regular route these locations are at the Calicut Airport junction and at Pantheerankavu on the bypass).

The route was empty most of the time, unlike the super-busy regular route. Once I turned off at Arekode towards Edavannapara I don't think I saw even a single vehicle till I reached CMC.

Drove solo Bangalore ~ Thrissur ~ Bangalore a week back.
Left Bangalore at 4 PM on 29th Friday and surprisingly traffic was lean for a Friday evening but then we were greeted with heavy rainfall from Krishnagiri to Salem all the way. Rain reduced the progress significantly in this stretch. With a stop at Saravana Bhavan Vaikuntam for snack reached Thrissur (Wadakkancherry) before 10 PM.

On the return left Thrissur (Poonkunnam) at 4PM on 1st Sunday and took Wadakkancherry ~ Chelakara ~ Alathur since I heard Kuthiran was bad that day evening. It was a smooth sail till Vaikundam Saravana Bhavan. Post that had to spend long time on all the tolls irrespective of FastTag / Cash. The tolls post Krishnagiri is becoming a nightmare on Sunday evenings, I should have taken State Highways and avoid all tolls.

Cheers!

^^^
Wadakkancherry or Vadakkencherry? I'm all ears for any alternative routes to Thrissur- Palakkad if we can by pass Kuthiran. Sometime back, we took the Shornur-Ottappalam detour to get to Thrissur, but I don't remember the exact route now. Kuthiran can be a hit or miss these days with the tunnel construction.

Thanks.

@Lively, I did a trip to Vadkencherry on 5th via Kuthiran, and it was ok. The traffic was moving smoothly, there was a slight delay at the Pampampalam where a truck had fallen on its side, but on my return, it was removed. You can take that route, imho.

There are generally two routes that people consider. Both enter Thrissur from the north side (Viyyur side).

1. Palakkad-Kulappully-Wadakkanchery-Thrissur. Excellent road with usual KL SH width. Longer by about 15-20 km when compared to the Kuthiran route. Hotspots are the major towns en route - Ottapalam, Shoranur and Wadakkanchery. Getting on to this route from Chandranagar is a bit of a hassle.

2. Palakkad-Alathur-Mullurkara-Thrissur. Narrower road than (1), but shorter. Towns could be tougher to negotiate (Pazhayannur, Chelakkara). You get to drive on NH 544 for a bit longer.

I have driven on all; and my selection is Kuthiran route if driving between 9 PM and 6 AM and Shoranur route otherwise. Only if Google Maps show problems in Shoranur route do I take the Chelakkara route.

I take the Paliyekara Toll-Oushadhi Flyover-Nadathara Signal Left-Mission Hospital-Museum-Ashwini Hospital-Bypass-Viyyur-Wadakancheri-Vazhakode-Chelakara-Pazhayannur-Plazhi-Alathur route to Coimbatore just for one single reason

And the reason is below :) :D




Thrissur-Alathur would take you about 90mins(+- 30mins).

https://goo.gl/maps/tVyZwfCn5XP2

It is a quick detour from NH 544. Why wouldn't you take the NH and do that?

In any case, I see your SNR and raise you:

https://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/15/...1500450200.htm

I meant Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district and not Palakkad LINK

As binand mentioned there is no need to deviate if you are crossing Kuthiran at dark.

I prefer Option 2 over 1 as you have to negotiate Palakkad town and Ottapalam which are relatively bad when compared to Pazhayannur and Chelakkara. Palakkad ~ Ottapalam in spite of being wide sees more traffic now a days.

Cheers!

There is one more benefit of using option 2 - it gives one access to the Alathur-Kollengode-Pollachi route which is the best alternative to the ever irritating, and in my opinion quite dangerous Coimbatore L&T bypass. One could eventually merge with NH 544 via Pollachi-Kamanaikanpalayam-Karumathampatti, a few km before Avinashi.

Of all the roads that I frequent, the L&T bypass is the top pick for the most terrifying one.