[sarathlal]

Is it true that the NH road conditions are considerably better north of Ernakulam?

Can see multiple youtube channels reporting that many stretches of the newly constructed NH is now open for public usage, and thus NH is in much better shape.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by sarathlal

Is it true that the NH road conditions are considerably better north of Ernakulam?

Can see multiple Youtube channels reporting that many stretches of the newly constructed NH is now open for public usage, and thus NH is in much better shape.

If you mean the NH 66, yes mostly true with improvements happening on a daily basis. I had detailed this out in this thread (NH 66 in Kerala | Status and Updates on 6-Lane Conversion). As of today, the 6 lane stretch from outskirts of Chavakkad all the way to the end of the Calicut bypass is 70-80% done and is expected to be fully complete by May. Expectation is that you can read Calicut from Chavakkad in around 1 -1.5hr once the stretch is done.

Similarly in Kasargod and Kannur Districts a lot of work is done. Apart from Kannur, Quilandy bypasses, most work should be done by end of year.

Ernakulam to Chavakkad is slower as there are 7 bypasses. As per NHAI targets the deadline is March 2026, but atleast some parts will extend further.

A recent video below. This is Calicut bypass end at Ramanatukara towards south covering the first reach in Malappuram District. Lane marking has just started but the road is now like this all across the areas I mentioned.

https://youtu.be/0u8BAceBavI?si=WisPMtu4xUYTtwoU

Valanchery bypass. Almost done.

https://youtu.be/a4D5jN5ZwRY?si=Ztrd-Bl5kdpyGb4S

[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

If you mean the NH 66, yes mostly true with improvements happening on a daily basis. I had detailed this out in this thread (NH 66 in Kerala | Status and Updates on 6-Lane Conversion)

Yes, and thank you so much.
My bad for missing that thread as I used to read through that as well. Will follow the same for updates.

Have an upcoming drive to Mookambika from Trivandrum and was thinking of taking the NH66 itself.

[Auto_guy_101]

Originally Posted by guruji

Kochi - Trissur - Nilambur - Vazhikkadavu - Gudalur - Bandipur - Gundulpet - Nanjangud - Mysore - Bangalur
This route is the shortest and has the lowest toll.

I took this route just to check it out in November, while returning from Bangalore. It was one of my worst experiences. After Bandipur everything goes downhill and the roads just after Gudalur were the worst of the lot. There's a state highway (TN) that leads to an SH in Kerala and these pass through smaller hills. It's hard to overtake and there's good truck traffic.

Once you enter Kerala, there's some 20 odd kms of butter smooth twisty roads after which you're stuck in the state highways upto Thrissur. I also unfortunately faced lot of diversions and road work on this stretch to Thrissur.

I recently did a Bangalore - Wayanad (upto Lakiddi) in about 5 hrs and felt this would be my option 5, and a slightly better one at that. Again, Lakiddi - Nilambur and then not so swelling roads.

[binand]

Originally Posted by Auto_guy_101

I recently did a Bangalore - Wayanad (upto Lakiddi) in about 5 hrs and felt this would be my option 5, and a slightly better one at that. Again, Lakiddi - Nilambur and then not so swelling roads.

Didn't quite get that. You are suggesting Bangalore > Lakkidi (Wayanad) > some routing > Kochi as a viable option for Bangalore-Kochi? Even the shortest route would take 7 hours for Lakkidi-Kochi.

[Auto_guy_101]

Originally Posted by binand

Didn't quite get that. You are suggesting Bangalore > Lakkidi (Wayanad) > some routing > Kochi as a viable option for Bangalore-Kochi? Even the shortest route would take 7 hours for Lakkidi-Kochi.

I will use the Airport as a reference point as it's closer to my house, while Kochi (MG road/Lulu/ Fort Kochi are all in the other direction for me). The routes I mentioned are:
1. CIAL - Thrissur - Manjeri - Lakkidi - Sulthan Battery - Bandipur (NH 766) - Gundelpet
2. CIAL - Thrissur - Manjeri - Nilambur - Gudalur - Bandipur (NH 181) - Gundelpet

Post Gundelpet, both roads lead to Mysuru/ take the Chamrajnagar - Kanakapura road. Based on my recent travel, I felt option 1 has slightly better roads. Option 2 (all the way from Bangalore to CIAL area) took me 12 hrs anyway, which is roughly what you suggest option 1 will also take.

It's been close to a year since I took the Lakkidi - Manjeri stretch, so road conditions could have changed. Unless someone is travelling to say Guruvayur or Thrissur interior or is in the mood to explore these roads, I would suggest avoiding both of there routes.

[Bonemechanic]

Originally Posted by binand

Didn't quite get that. You are suggesting Bangalore > Lakkidi (Wayanad) > some routing > Kochi as a viable option for Bangalore-Kochi? Even the shortest route would take 7 hours for Lakkidi-Kochi.

Originally Posted by Auto_guy_101

I will use the Airport as a reference point as it's closer to my house, while Kochi (MG road/Lulu/ Fort Kochi are all in the other direction for me). The routes I mentioned are:
1. CIAL - Thrissur - Manjeri - Lakkidi - Sulthan Battery - Bandipur (NH 766) - Gundelpet

Last month I drove to Ambalavayal, Wayanad, to visit "Poopoli" from my home at Manjeri. To go to Ambalavayal, I took the route via Nilambur and Nadugani and for the return via Meppadi, Lakkidi, and the Manjeri route.

From Manjeri up to the Kerala border in Nadugani ghat, the road is well maintained except for narrow and lots of towns with traffic. From the Kerala-TN border to Nadugani, the road is in very bad condition. If there is a truck in front of you (there was lots of truck traffic on this route), overtaking is very difficult. From Nadugani to Ambalavayal road was in good shape.

For the return, I took the route via Lakkidi-Adivaram-Kaithappoyil-Kodencheri-Thiruvambady-Mukkam-Ateekode-Manjeri. The road is good except for its narrowness and lots of curves. After Kaithappoyil, traffic was less.

From Manjeri to Thrissur (I drive every week), you can take Manjeri-Anakkayam-Tirurkad-Angadippuram-Cheerattamala-Malarod Junction-Pulamanthole-Koppam-Pattambi-Koottupatha-Thalasseri-Chittanda - Athani, Thrissur.Except for hardly 2 km from Malarod towards Pulamanthole, roads are in good condition.

[deathwalkr]

The pothole riddled stretch that connected Kaliyakavalai to the Kerala border where the Highway work comes to an abrupt end is finally patched up.

Was a chore to navigate through that but now it's a breeze.

[DieselLover]

Guys, need advice on best route from Ekm (near Edappally) to Meghamalai. I am visiting this place in March along with elderly parents. Prefer a less stressful route with plenty good Veg. hotels for Breakfast/snack break. Planning to start from home around 6am and reach destination by 12 30 for lunch

Google is showing 2 routes:

Ekm-Perumbavoor-Neriamangalam- (divert to Painavu road) - nedumkandam - Thookkupalam-Cumbummettu- (take cumbum bye pass) - Chinnamanur-Meghamalai

or

Ekm-Kizhakambalam-Pattimattom-Muvattupuzha-vannapuram-Kanjikuzhy-Nedumkandam-
Thookkupalam-Cumbummettu- (take Cumbum bye pass) - Chinnamanur-Meghamalai

Which one is better? or is there any alternatives?

For return, I need to visit Thrissur and is planning to take Meghamalai-Chinnamanur-Theni (bye pass) - Sempatty-Paraipatty-Oddanchatram-Pollachi-Palakkad - Thrissur
Hope this is a best route ?

[tomchacks]

Originally Posted by DieselLover

Guys, need advice on best route from Ekm (near Edappally) to Meghamalai. I am visiting this place in March along with elderly parents. Prefer a less stressful route with plenty good Veg. hotels for Breakfast/snack break. Planning to start from home around 6am and reach destination by 12 30 for lunch)

The stress free route with availability of eating places would be -
Edapally- Thripponithura- Kaduthuruthy- Pala- Mundakayam - Kumali-Cumbum-Chinnamanur-Meghamalai.

Please post where you are booked to stay and feedback as I also have plans to visit Meghamalai in April.

[DieselLover]

Originally Posted by tomchacks

Please post where you are booked to stay and feedback as I also have plans to visit Meghamalai in April.

Thanks, I have booked Woodbriar tea Bungalow at Meghamalai. will post a review after the trip.

[ike]

How are roads south of Thrissur these days? I need to travel to Trivandrum from Thrissur. Is it sensible to just take the Vande Bharat? Or have the roads improved by any chance? Last time I did this route was back in 2019, after which I take trains for any travels towards Ernakulam and beyond.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by ike

Is it sensible to just take the Vande Bharat?

Yes. A hundred times over, Yes!

[DieselLover]

Originally Posted by ike

How are roads south of Thrissur these days? I need to travel to Trivandrum from Thrissur. Is it sensible to just take the Vande Bharat? Or have the roads improved by any chance? Last time I did this route was back in 2019, after which I take trains for any travels towards Ernakulam and beyond.

Take the train. Even Thrissur to Ekm is a pain during peak hours due to the countless signals and the maintenance work happening at some places. Beyond Ekm is just horrible.

[Thanos-VV]

Originally Posted by ike

How are roads south of Thrissur these days? I need to travel to Trivandrum from Thrissur. Is it sensible to just take the Vande Bharat? Or have the roads improved by any chance? Last time I did this route was back in 2019, after which I take trains for any travels towards Ernakulam and beyond.

It is better to take Train for sure.
Details of a recent drive from Thrissur till Karunagappally:
Started at 5:15AM from Thrissur on a Monday. By 06:30, I was able to cross Ekm. Roads are generally good till there. From Aroor till Thuravoor, it is Service Road, single lane. Traffic was ok for me since it was still early morning. But during day time, it will be horrible. From Thuravoor till Haripad, full fledged road working going on but in general roads are ok. But from Haripad till Oachira, roads are pretty bad.
With half an hour break, reached destination by around 09:45AM.
From Karunagappally till Trivandrum, the situation is more or less same with full fledged road widening happening everywhere.