[ttm_220d]

For reasons that seemed important then but absolutely futile now, on the night of 13th April, 20234, my father and I had to drive from Bengaluru to Thrissur in Kerala. A journey done majorly through the night. This post is about this nerve-racking, exhilarating and tiring journey that pushed us to the very brink as drivers.



The car:

Our family hauler is 2017, Toyota Innova Crysta Touring Sport with the 2.8 Liter engine. This pearl-white giant is a powerful, comfortable and reliable workhorse. The technology on this car is a bit dated, and the mileage leaves a lot to be desired, but still, as good as you can get for a cross-country long drive in India.

The Route:
I am sure most of you reading this post have traversed the Bengaluru to Kerala route, it’s almost ingrained in most of us, but for the new readers, here is a short summary of the route and our milestones during our night drive




11:00 PM- Bengaluru to Hosur: the usual city traffic on this strech but much lesser in the early hours of the day, Electronic City Elevated Road is a relief, but still a lot of traffic to be weary of. We left home at around 11:00 PM, it took a good chunk of time to clear Koramangala and reach electronic city, this is a contrast to when we usually leave at 5 am, it takes 20 odd minutes to cover this stretch.




2:15 am-Hosur to Krishnagiri: The highway (NH44) opens up, six-lanes and to the most part the roads are good but there is constant roadworks leading to deviations on the service road. Around this stretch is where you have your first proper rest stop with clean washrooms- the McDonalds (and other F&B outlets) on the Hosur-Krishnagiri Highway. We normally, don’t stop here as it is only 1.5 hours since we started our journey, but as this journey was through the night and there was almost no clean and safe rest stop ahead, this was our only option, and thank God we did, as the only time we would properly stop was at 6 am outside before entering Kerala.
12:40 am- 3:00 am- Krihnagiri to Salem via Dharmapuri: this is the dead zone of the journey in my opinion. The road oscillates, between 4-lane to 6-lane, the combination of steep inclines and slow-moving, dilapidated trucks makes weaving through these trucks a risky and challenging endeavour. This stretch also has the notorious Krishnagiri Bridge section- where there have in this year itself, there has been been three catastrophic accidents. Note to drivers for this stretch- be alert, don’t overspeed but stay clear from the path of the trucks.

3:15 am- 6:00 am- Salem to Coimbatore: After clearing the previous perilous stretch, you finally reach the renowned Saravana Bhavan rest stop. By now, I was driving for almost 4 hours and was tried, I needed the rest so I handed the car over to my father. He himself did not sleep -because as with any night drive- there needs to be at least two people awake. Refuelled on coffee and some Diesel (this car drinks gives true meaning to copious consumption) we set off, this stretch is relatively easier and the roads are better, you breeze through with ease. During the day time however, it is important to keep in mind that while bypassing Salem town, there is quite a lot of two-wheeler traffic to be careful of. There is also a delicious Biryani joint called Selvi Mess, a must visit during the day time. Once you reach the Coimbatore bypass however, one must be careful, what used to once be a marvel of engineering and the first proper bypass in that area is now a tired, crowded and dangerous shell of itself. As it is a two-lane bypass, overtaking trucks on your lane by trying not to be in the path of the opposite traffic is a struggle, this stretch is dreadfully tiring and one must be at their guard at all times.


6:15 am- 8:00 am - Coimbatore outskirts to Thrissur via Palakkad: Finally, daylight has broken, the jet-black sky changed gradually and steadily to lavender purple hue with the tangerine rays of sunlight slowly shining on the Western Ghats. The night component of the drive was finally overt and I took over again. Not so long ago driving from Tamil Nadu into Kerala used to be daunting due to the poor roads but not anymore, the roads are excellent and the velvet smoothness of the tarmac is a delight to us drivers. There is only one caveat of this stretch is that this is probably the most heavily enforced no speeding zone of all the zones on the journey. There is a strict speed limit, that honestly without Radarbot, you cannot navigate. Since, I’ve been fined on this route before, I learnt my lesson and turned on cruise control and let the car take me there in a moderate pace.

Election time:
As this drive was in early days of the Lok Sabha General Elections 2024- there was an endless barrage of police check posts, where they would open one compartment in one bag in the car trunk with a camera recording them do so.

I didn’t speak much about the car so far, because you all already know about the sheer dependability of the Crysta. Seven people, luggage loaded to the brim, air conditioning on full blast, and made effortless overtakes in the journey. I might complain about the efficacy but really, with a few technology upgrades like Carplay, better headlights, this car will be more than ready to do this for many years to come.

Observations
There was a lot of traffic on this journey, the entire night, there was not just truck traffic but a lot of passenger vehicles and most of them had families! I genuinely thought that the roads would be deserted but no, the sheer amount of traffic was the most surprising. We reached our destination very tired, honestly, if there is something very pressing and you really have no other option of travel, based on my experience I would advice to stay away from driving through the night unless absolutely necessary. Most times, sufficient sleep and an early morning start e.g. 4 am help you make good progress while still being rested.

[narayanang76]

Did WhiteField - Bangalore to Palakkad drive during last week a quick summary update.

2nd October 2024, Wednesday: Started from Whitefield home at 5:30 AM, took Varthur, Sarjapura, Attibele, Hosur, NH844 via Rayakottai to Dharmapuri, merged at NH44 to Salem. From Salem usual NH via Perundurai, Bhavani, Avinashi, L&T byepass, Walayar and Palakkad. It was a pleasant drive with the usual traffic. Reached Palakkad at 12:30 PM. Travel took exact 7 hours including 30 minutes breakfast break at Saravana Bhavan Vaiguntam.

6th October 2024, Sunday: Started from Palakkad at 9:45 AM and took the same above route on return. Reached Whitefield home at 5:40 PM. Return travel took 1 extra hour due to more traffic while reaching Bangalore and heavy rush for lunch at Selvi Mess Salem.

Overall, a pleasant and comfortable drive throughout.

Cheers,
narayanang76

[vandemanw]

Drove KR Puram, Bangalore to Thrissur this Sunday, with family. Issues noted:

1. While getting out of the city, GMaps routed us via the Kadubeesanahalli - Panathur main road, which was flooded and in horrible shape, resulting in traffic jam, wasting atleast 20-30 minutes. Definitely not for sedans/low GC vehicles. Should have taken the route via ORR-silk board-ECity flyover.

2. After using the NH844 while returning to bangalore last time, decided to try the regular route via Krishnagiri this time. Lots of flyover construction between Hosur and Krishnagiri. Got through comfortably since it wasn't peak time (4 pm on sunday afternoon, towards salem). However, lots of traffic spotted on the opposite carriageway at the diversions. So NH844 might be a better idea if getting back to bangalore on a Sunday evening.

3. Very poor quality diversion, resulting in a massive traffic pile up, at a specific stretch at Komaraplayam town entrance due to flyover construction. Used the service road to save some time. Traffic was standstill for at least 3-4 km.

4. Perumanallur- Neelambur, had runway like roads. Huge improvement over the past few months. Newly laid tar. The exorbitant toll in that section is now justified.

5. Discovered a new rest stop. Hotel Paviesh Park, just after crossing Bhavani kaveri river. Great food and ambience, clean toilets, spacious parking, outdoors seating area. They even have a small aviary, with ducks and other birds walking around. Great spot to take a break, especially if travelling with kids. Doesn't require a detour from a highway.

6. Journey was otherwise uneventful. 7 month infant, 2y8m old toddler didn't give us any trouble. Books, music, regular stops and looking out the window, while strapped into car seat kept them busy, when not asleep. Road trips make more sense for Bengaluru-Thrissur journeys now, if flights are sold out or exorbitant.

[ns94]

Hi Everyone - Planning a road trip to Palakkad from Pondicherry/Chennai
Planning to take the usual Coimbatore - Walayar route onward and return via Pollachi on the way back (spending a day or so in Pollachi/Valparai)
Would appreciate inputs on road conditions from Palakkad to Pollachi
Thanks in advance

[Auto_guy_101]

Quick update on some Kerala roads from my recent trip (Kochi Airport area to Feroke, Kozhikode):

Onward: 152 kms, ~13.xx kmpl, 4.5 hrs
Route: Paravoor Jn - Paravoor - Guruvayoor - Ponani - Kadalundi - Feroke

Conditions: 95% 2 lane roads with small sections of NH 66 open. Be prepared with all your patience for you will need it. Lot of trucks, too many autos, slow moving two wheelers and a bunch of private cars, all moving at speeds hovering under 30 kmph. The roads are also nothing to write home about - its a very nice twisty road, somewhat narrow in stretches and given far lesser traffic, would've been fun to push a car in. There are also plenty of rough patches, especially near the NH 66 works and closer to Feroke. The narrow stretches also make things dangerous with the infamous buses deciding to somewhat bully drivers.

Return: 165 Kms, ~14 kmpl, 5 hrs
Route: Feroke - Kadalundi - Ponani - Edapal - Thrissur - Angamaly - home

Conditions: the section between Ponani and Thrissur have far better road conditions, but are still 2 lane, narrow, with decent traffic and should you decide to follow the map, a somewhat unpleasant set of narrow stretches from Edapal leading upto a junction on the Shornur-Thrissur road just before the Medical college junction.

This trip forced me to push my Kushaq in small spurts with intermittent use of the paddle shifters, albeit not in the speeds I'd have liked to enjoy it.

[sajiseb]

Hi,
I am planning to drive from Kottayam to Banglore after two weeks. Which route will be better, via Palakkadu or via Dindigul ? (in terms of better roads & less traffic)
Planning to start by 5 am.

Thanks in advance.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by sajiseb

Hi,
I am planning to drive from Kottayam to Banglore after two weeks. Which route will be better, via Palakkadu or via Dindigul ? (in terms of better roads & less traffic)
Planning to start by 5 am.

Thanks in advance.

If you start early say 5 AM you should be able to cover the Kerala highways and enter Tamil Nadu roads before traffic picks up via Palakkad route. I would recommend this.

[sajiseb]

Originally Posted by Repsol

Quick query:

I am planning to travel to Alleppey from BLR (E-City). My usual route is BLR > Krishnagiri > Dharmapuri > Salem > Coimbatore > Walayar > Palakkad > Thrissur > Ernakulam > Cherthala > Alleppey

But this time when I check in GMaps, it tells me to take 844 from Hosur and reach Dharmapuri. Its not even showing the NH44 via Krishnagiri.

Should I stick to my normal route only (NH44)?

By the way, I plan to start from BLR at 8 AM

Hi,
Any update on this ? Is it better to take 844 or 44 via Kirshnagiri ? ( I will be driving both ways after two weeks).
Thanks

Originally Posted by Jaggu

If you start early say 5 AM you should be able to cover the Kerala highways and enter Tamil Nadu roads before traffic picks up via Palakkad route. I would recommend this.

Thanks,
By what time will traffic be picking up, by 9 ? (Assuming this is in the Kerala section)

[NPV]

Originally Posted by sajiseb

Hi,
Any update on this ? Is it better to take 844 or 44 via Kirshnagiri ? ( I will be driving both ways after two weeks).

844 would be better because of multiple flyovers being constructed between Krishnagiri and Hosur. Though 844 has some diversions, it is less in terms of traffic as well as about 20km lesser in distance. Either you can exit at Rayakottai and go via Hosur ring road, join back NH 44 towards Attibele or go on 844 towards Kelamangalam and exit towards TVS Factory and get to Chandapura/Attibele on the Karnataka side.

I think you can trust gmaps to give you the recommended route once you get on to NH 844.

[JayG]

Hi
I am planning a drive to BLR (near Silk Institute) from Trivandrum this month. My last drive was in early 2023 when the Krishnagiri - Hosur stretch was fine. Now, having read the suggestions in this thread as well as in the BLR-CBE thread, I was wondering about Dharmapuri - Rayakottai - Anekal - Jigani- NICE road, entirely bypassing Hosur and Attibele. Please advise if this is a reasonable alternative. The idea is to reach destination by 6-7 PM. Thank you in advance.

[sajiseb]

Originally Posted by xotiq

Planning to drive from BLR EC Phase 2 to Kottayam, with a start time of 3PM. Please suggest options for a good hotel with parking to stay the night (preferably Thrissur/adjacent to the highway) and then start early morning. All my drives (BLR-KTYM) have been early morning start (3AM), so curious if there is any advantage in opting between early morning or late afternoon start from BLR.

Hi,
When did you start your return trip from Bangalore , how was it ?
I am thinking of starting by 11 am (on a Wed or Thu). Is it better to start earlier or later ? (I am not planning for any stay in between)
Thanks.

[SideView]

Originally Posted by sajiseb

Hi,
When did you start your return trip from Bangalore , how was it ?
I am thinking of starting by 11 am (on a Wed or Thu). Is it better to start earlier or later ? (I am not planning for any stay in between)
Thanks.

Not sure about weekdays, but I recommend starting early.

Starting by 5 A.M you should be able to reach BLR well within 5 P.M.

[sajiseb]

Originally Posted by SideView

Not sure about weekdays, but I recommend starting early.

Starting by 5 A.M you should be able to reach BLR well within 5 P.M.

I am planning to start the trip from Kottayam to Bangalore by 5 am.
Is there a big difference (in traffic) if I start the return trip from Bangalore by 11 am or by 1 pm ?
Thanks

[Repsol]

Originally Posted by sajiseb

Hi,
Any update on this ? Is it better to take 844 or 44 via Kirshnagiri ? ( I will be driving both ways after two weeks).
Thanks

I went via NH44 via Krishnagiri only. Though there is flyover construction, I was able to pass through smoothly.

I have another trip planned to Alleppey this weekend, and I will again stick to NH44 only. I think it would be even better as I will be starting early this time (around 5-5:30 AM)

[sajiseb]

Originally Posted by Repsol

I went via NH44 via Krishnagiri only. Though there is flyover construction, I was able to pass through smoothly.

I have another trip planned to Alleppey this weekend, and I will again stick to NH44 only. I think it would be even better as I will be starting early this time (around 5-5:30 AM)

Hi Repsol,
Any particular reason ? ( I understand that NH44 is 20 kms longer and has more traffic)
Thanks