[ashis89]

Originally Posted by PearlJam

Thanks @ashis89, will most probably do that!

Google Maps also suggests Vijayawada-Reningavaram-Kanigiri-Kadapa-Kadiri route that hits the hyderabad to bangalore Highway. Away from the coast too. Any thoughts on that? Thanks!

Every time I plan to take this route during my numerous trips, the lower than usual average speed of the route dissuades me. The average speed (especially during off hours) is an indication for me of the road conditions. Like Narayanan sir said, you would want to travel in a road devoid of trees/forest and far away from the coast, during cyclone landfall. Vijayawada - Hyderabad- Bangalore is safer from that point of view.

[Aiel]

Originally Posted by PearlJam

Thanks @ashis89, will most probably do that!

Google Maps also suggests Vijayawada-Reningavaram-Kanigiri-Kadapa-Kadiri route that hits the hyderabad to bangalore Highway. Away from the coast too. Any thoughts on that? Thanks!

During a drive from Bangalore to Vizag in March of this year, I had taken this route. I ended up on this route, due to my unfamiliarity with the route.

Mostly smooth two-lane roads, and lesser traffic as compared to the main highway, and also managed to avoid the road construction, post Tirupati.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by PearlJam

Away from the coast too. Any thoughts on that? Thanks!

Safest bet would be to go all the way to Hyderabad and get on the Bangalore highway. Longer but faster, and most importantly, safer.

[mpksuhas]

If its not late, till yesterday the Vijayawada - Nellore - Kalahasthi - Tirupathi - Chitoor route was all fine. A friend did that yesterday, reaching Bangalore late in night on 3-Dec.

However, another friend who is currently doing this route after a night half at Nellore is finding difficulty at multiple locations due to water logging and slow moving traffic.

No road closures as such, but in general getting stuck at multiple locations due to water logging which can be driven through. He is just reaching Tirupati now, so may be able to get through without much issues past this. However, would suggest anyone who is planning to avoid taking this route for next few days and instead take Hyderabad route.

[poised2drive]

Just drove to Vijayawada from Hyderabad.

Vijayawada is under continuous rainfall and the scenario seems same down south throughout the coast.


For people driving to Bengaluru, it is advisable to take the NH 65 towards Hyderabad and take the ORR- Safer considering this weather.

[PearlJam]

Thanks, each and every one of you who suggested the Hyderabad route!

Took that route today from Vijayawada at 6am, and it was super smooth. Did the complete journey via Hyderabad in around 12 hours to home, with a breakfast and lunch stop. It was faster than the Nellore-Tirupati route, and I think the Hyderabad route makes sense even without the cyclone factor. Thanks again!

[JC_Redstreak]

I'm planning to do this route starting 16th of December. Has the rains done any damage to the highway or it is in good condition.
Interesting note on the Vijaywada-HYD-BLR being done in almost equal timing, well that's like a difference of 200 kms between the two different routes. Gmaps show a difference of over 3 hours though.
Last time I drove to Bhubaneswar from Bangalore, I took the Tirupati-Naidupet-VZA route and the time taken was close to 12 hours from Bangalore to VZA, with 1 lunch break and a couple of bio breaks.
Suggestions please.

[chembilath]

Originally Posted by JC_Redstreak

Last time I drove to Bhubaneswar from Bangalore, I took the Tirupati-Naidupet-VZA route and the time taken was close to 12 hours from Bangalore to VZA, with 1 lunch break and a couple of bio breaks.
Suggestions please.

I'm also planning to do a Bhubaneswar to Kochi travel after 2 weeks. Have always taken the above route Nellore-naidupet-tirupati-vellore. Any update on this route condition would be really helpful. Since I have to reach Kochi, it really takes a lot more time if I take the Hyderabad route

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by JC_Redstreak

I'm planning to do this route starting 16th of December. Has the rains done any damage to the highway or it is in good condition.
Interesting note on the Vijaywada-HYD-BLR being done in almost equal timing, well that's like a difference of 200 kms between the two different routes. Gmaps show a difference of over 3 hours though.
Last time I drove to Bhubaneswar from Bangalore, I took the Tirupati-Naidupet-VZA route and the time taken was close to 12 hours from Bangalore to VZA, with 1 lunch break and a couple of bio breaks.
Suggestions please.

Naidupet - Tirupati road expansion work is going on and hence not recommended for now. The suggested route is Vijayawada - Nellore - Gudur - Yerpadu - Tirupati - Bangalore. It takes me 10-11 hours each time, including 1-1.5 hrs of breaks.

Originally Posted by chembilath

I'm also planning to do a Bhubaneswar to Kochi travel after 2 weeks. Have always taken the above route Nellore-naidupet-tirupati-vellore. Any update on this route condition would be really helpful. Since I have to reach Kochi, it really takes a lot more time if I take the Hyderabad route

You can avoid Naidupet - Tirupati. The best route is Vijayawada - Nellore - Gudur - Yerpadu - Tirupati - Vellore. It is 20 odd kms shorter and Google Maps also happens to suggest this route.

[airguitar]

Kind folks,

Driving from Bengaluru to Siliguri this week in Thar. Thinking of night halts this way: a) Vijayawada b) Barkul c) Durgapur d) Siliguri

1. Am I being conservative on day 1 ? Should I push to Rajahmundry instead?
2. Could you please suggest clean, hygienic restaurants on the highway for lunch near Nellore or Ongole ?
3. Likewise, could you suggest a place for lunch between Vijayawada and Barkul on the highway, given that we will now not need to touch Vizag ?

[JC_Redstreak]

Has anyone driven on this route recently. How is the fog situation. During January of this year when I had travelled, I started at around 4 am but at around 5-5.30 am there was heavy fog, nothing beyond a few metres was visible, therefore this time around I am considering a 6 am start.
Any suggestions would be very helpful.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by airguitar

Kind folks,

Driving from Bengaluru to Siliguri this week in Thar. Thinking of night halts this way: a) Vijayawada b) Barkul c) Durgapur d) Siliguri

1. Am I being conservative on day 1 ? Should I push to Rajahmundry instead?

Rajahmundry is doable but can be tiring as well depending on how comfortable you are spending 14-15 hours in the Thar. I would suggest you book hotels at both places (with full cancellation or pay later option) and take a call closer to Vijayawada if you are comfortable enough to continue for another 2.5 hours in heavy traffic.

Advantage of Rajahmundry is a less taxing Day 2 after a long day 1.

[poised2drive]

Originally Posted by airguitar

Kind folks,

Driving from Bengaluru to Siliguri this week in Thar.

1. Am I being conservative on day 1 ? Should I push to Rajahmundry instead?
2. Could you please suggest clean, hygienic restaurants on the highway for lunch near Nellore or Ongole ?
3. Likewise, could you suggest a place for lunch between Vijayawada and Barkul on the highway, given that we will now not need to touch Vizag ?

1. If you are an experienced driver, you can reach Rajahmundry without any issue as the road after Vijayawada significantly improves and Rajahmundry can be reached in less than 3 hours. You can take a break at Garuda Food court, which comes after Eluru, almost midway between Vijayawada-Rajahmundry. ( keep an eye out)

2. There is one Skyview Restaurant over Tanguturu Toll before Ongole. It sits on the toll plaza, its USP !

There is "Delhi highway Restaurant" ( veg) before Ongole !

[airguitar]

Originally Posted by ashis89

Naidupet - Tirupati road expansion work is going on and hence not recommended for now. The suggested route is Vijayawada - Nellore - Gudur - Yerpadu - Tirupati - Bangalore. It takes me 10-11 hours each time, including 1-1.5 hrs of breaks.


You can avoid Naidupet - Tirupati. The best route is Vijayawada - Nellore - Gudur - Yerpadu - Tirupati - Vellore. It is 20 odd kms shorter and Google Maps also happens to suggest this route.

Thanks for this. Also how is the road condition if I take the Bangalore - Kurnool - Vijayawada or Bangalore - Dhone - Markapur - Vijayawada? Will it be as fast as the Tirupati route?

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by airguitar

Thanks for this. Also how is the road condition if I take the Bangalore - Kurnool - Vijayawada or Bangalore - Dhone - Markapur - Vijayawada? Will it be as fast as the Tirupati route?

Tirupati is the fastest even though it is longer than the Kurnool or Dhone route. To give you an idea, out of 650+ kms going via Tirupati Gudur route, ~600 kms are fast 4/6 lane roads.

For other options, refer to the discussion post #959 onwards above.