Quick trip from Chennai to Pondicherry in a BYD Atto 3 & Kia Carens

We set out on a journey with my BYD Atto 3 and Kia Carens. Driving an EV means planning your charging stops carefully.

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Electric Escape: A Smooth Ride from Bangalore to Pondy

We set out on a journey with my BYD Atto 3 and Kia Carens.
The plan was simple: Bangalore → Krishnagiri → Tiruvannamalai → Gingee → Tindivanam → Pondy, with a few essential stops along the way.

The Journey Begins
We started from Bangalore at 6 AM, cruising through the early morning mist. The roads were in pristine condition, free of potholes, making for a smooth ride.

Pit Stop 1: Breakfast at Krishnagiri A2B

By the time I reached A2B in Krishnagiri, I was ready for a hearty breakfast. Unfortunately, the experience was underwhelming—the food was mediocre, and the service was sluggish despite the place not being crowded. A quick meal later, I was back on the road.
Charging Up at Sri Lakshmi Bhavan, Melchengam

Driving an EV means planning your charging stops carefully. Around Melchengam, We took a quick break at Sri Lakshmi Bhavan to top up at their Statiq charging station. As expected, the app refused to start the session, and I had to call customer care to activate it manually. Left with 20% extra charge, I was ready to hit the road again.
Reaching Auro Bliss Villa

After eight hours on the road, I finally arrived at Auro Bliss Villa around 2 PM. The villa, nestled in Tamil Nadu, offered a quiet retreat, though ongoing construction work and an unfinished swimming pool were minor disappointments.

The Return Journey

After a relaxing stay, it was time to head back. We started at 3:30 PM, retracing the same route back to Bangalore.

Another Charging Stop at Sri Lakshmi Bhavan

A quick 20-minute charging stop at Sri Lakshmi Bhavan ensured I had enough juice for the rest of the journey.

Tea Trouble: No Good Tea Shops Between Tiruvannamalai & Krishnagiri
For tea lovers, a word of caution—there are no decent tea shops along the stretch between Tiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri. If you need a good cup of chai, plan accordingly!

Dinner at Sri Saravana Bhavan

Post Krishnagiri toll, we decided to stop at Sri Saravana Bhavan for dinner. The food here was delicious and well worth the stop.

After a long but comfortable drive, I finally reached home around 11:30 PM.

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