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Hey, it's obviously not possible as I have to take my car from the bodyshop in Mangalore. But if it's pretty bad then I have to postpone, hence the question :) Did you drive down to TVM in the end? The EKM-TVM delay was owing to road works?

PS: Vande Bharat is always a sucky option when I'm travelling from Kasaragod-TVM (frequent traveller here as Kasaragod is my native and TVM is where I stay) as a day goes waste, I prefer taking one of the night trains, and that's almost half the rate as well.

No, I took a train. The EKM - TVM was due to road works. If you are doing it in two days, might as well do it via Mysore - tirupur - Madurai - TVM. Though the distance is 50% more, the drive will be a lot more relaxed. Might sound ridiculous to some but we live to drive is it not.

Not at all ! Last September, my family was so exasperated by the 13-hour drive from Trivandrum to Palakkad (via Ernakulam) that we returned via Pollachi- Dindigul- Nagercoil (10 hours).

My cousin drove this route couple of days back. It's really bad to drive with lots of road work, deviation etc. They were literally exhausted when they reached Tvm.
Now with the ongoing rain, it would have just worsened.

Thanks, but I don't have a choice though :( I have to break the journey at our Thrissur house as I have to drop something off there. I guess I'll have to brace myself for a long drive then!

Drove today to Serai Bandipur. Took Kongad-Sreekrishnapuram- Perinthalmanna- Nilambur - Vazhikkadav- Bandipur.

Perinthalmanna to Nilambur stretch is rough with bad patched up roads and potholes. After Vazhikkadav, its a breeze to drive on

If that's the case, try to see if you can take off peak hours. Early morning starts might help.

We are talking about road through Alapuzha right? If EKM is not mandatory for the trip would MC road be a bad idea?

There are two routes from Perinthalmanna to Nilambur: (a) via Pandikkad-Wandoor and (b) via Melattoor-Kalikavu. The latter is somewhat suboptimal; I had suggested the former in a previous post. Is that also bad? It was fine when I took it the last time (didn't drive the full length, I admit).

The Melattoor-Kalikav-Pokottumpadam-Nilamboor road is under construction. Avoid this route if possible.
The Perinthalmanna-Pandikad- Wandoor-Nilamboor road is good; some patchwork is there, and the roads are narrow and curvy,but one can drive. But the problem is horrible traffic—both private vehicles, buses, and transport vehicles. It will take 45 minutes to cover the 25-kilometer distance at least.

It was the Pandikkad Wandoor. Not that pathetic but not upto the general standards of Kerala roads

Did a Kollam to Bangalore drive yesterday via Kottarakara-Punalur-Shencottai-Tirumangalam-Dindigul-Salem. Started at 5:45AM from Kollam and reached BLR at 6:30PM including 3 breaks, overall good drive. Heavy rains all the way from Kollam to Shencottai, but luckily the roads near Thenamala and Aryankaavu were in good shape. Looked like roads at the haripin curve (S bend) and twisties near KL-TN border have been repaired. Not sure how long they will remain considering the rains and heavy truck traffic this region has.

Hi, all. Planning to ride out from Goa to Kochi, with a stopover at Payyanur. Request suitable routes and the current road conditions, with suggestions about start time from Payyanur to avoid traffic. Intend to route via Mahe to tank up on cheaper fuel as well. Ride planned with departure from Goa on 12 July. Thanks in advance. On completion, will update my journey details.

The million -dollar question is...do I follow Google Maps, or are there other better options?

Based on my last few trips, I might cross Madurai between 12 and 12 30. Any good options near Tirunelveli?

I suppose your best option is to hit the NH 66 wherever you are starting from, and continue on it till Payyanur.

From Payyanur I don't think you have any viable options but to grin and bear the under-redevelopment highway till Calicut. If you know your way around Calicut then hit the Feroke-Chaliyam-Tirur-Chamravattam road, cross the barrage bridge and reach Edappal. I read the Kunnamkulam-Thrissur road is also in bad shape, but you should be able to reach Thrissur in one piece. Hit the NH 544 at Thalore in Thrissur outskirts and continue towards Kochi. This would be an excruciating drive.

Or you could drive to Kerala from Goa via Bangalore-Salem, and do a train trip to Payyanur separately. If I were you I would consider Maveli out and Parasuram in.

Not sure if this will work for you, but I have a Hari's bookmarked: https://goo.gl/maps/9trKWXM8koagwTj56