Hyderabad to Bangalore by car (updated - Aug 2012)

Day 1 of Hyderabad to Kanyakumari  Drive: Trip to Bangalore

Quick Facts on Hyderabad to Bangalore Route

• Total toll charges (one way) = Rs 472  (as on August 2012)
• Distance between Outer Ring Road to Bangalore city limit: 545 km
• Except for the few km after Shamshabad airport, all the stretch between Hyderabad to Bangalore are 4 lane, awesome, exotic roads. Very addictive to drive
• Watch out for speed breakers at Anantapur and Penukonda  (as on August 2012)  
• Mileage: 15.5 kmpl (Conditions: Honda city, 2 occupants, 20kg luggage, Continuous A/C with 40% setting, Total distance: 600 km of which 545km is on highway)
• Duration of travel: 9 hours with 2 pit stops (30 + 20) mins 
• BPCL Ghar Dhabas were better pitstops
• Traveled on a weekday, there was very feeble traffic on NH7.
• But Occasionally, vehicles & trucks going in opposite direction, come on the wrong side of the lane. So need to proceed with caution at blind spots ahead of us

We started at 6:15 am. Fed the destination info in the PND (with satguide maps). It suggested me the following route.

• Kondapur Road > Outer Ring Road > NH7 > Hebbal > ORR Bangalore > KR puram
• Distance remaining: 620 km
• Estimated time of departure: 6:30 PM ( I was quite anxious to know what would be the actual journey time to Bangalore by car)

In few minutes, we reached the Nehru Outer Ring Road (ORR). The ORR has 8 lanes. Same as highways, U-Turns are sparingly available. So missing a diversion could prove very costly. Anyways, signboards are very well put at required places. The diversion to Bangalore from ORR, connects us to NH7 near Shamshabad airport.

Nehru Outer Ring Road, Hyderabad - 8 lanes

The stretch of NH7 next to Shamshabad airport is narrow & in a pathetic state, with lot of potholes. Anyways, after few km of patient navigation, the 4 lane NH7 welcomes us with a huge cheer. From there till Bangalore, the NH7 stretch is exceptionally great. Silky, Asphalt Carpet! Its a good thing that road conditions are improving in our country.

Initially, i was wondering how i could drive all alone to Bangalore! But the moment, started cruising in NH7, never felt that i had crossed so many km. This stretch is quite inviting, appetizing to drive. Thanks to NHAI, [except for TOLL fee :) ] the roads are so well designed that one would never feel the travel fatigue even in such long journeys. And, for the people with passion to drive, NH7 will never let 'em down

NH7, Hyderabad to Bangalore Road condition

Crossed the 1st toll gate by 7:25am. Paid Rs 45. At the 2nd toll, paid Rs 43. Had the 1st fueling point after 235 kms @ Swagath Retail, IOC outlet near Kurnool by 9:30AM. They accepts credit cards. 
Filled 16 ltr Petol. This outlet is quite spacious. Parked car in shade and had breakfast, brought from home.

Swagath Retail Outlet, Kurnool. IOC Petrol Bunk in Hyderabad to Bangalore Route

After 30 mins break, resumed our journey towards Bangalore. Other than Kurnool, NH7 traverses well away from the cities. Except for the sign boards of cities on Highway, one would never feel they are crossing those cities.
After crossing the next 3 toll gates, we had the second refuel after 165 km from previous fuel point @ Vivek Roadways, IOC outlet @ Anantapur by 12.20pm. Actually wanted to stop for R&R and found this petrol bunk. Filled in 10ltr petrol. They accept credit cards, but based on network availability.

Vivek Roadways, Anantapur. IOC Petrol Bunk in Hyderabad to Bangalore Route

Initial plan was to have lunch during the journey. But being ahead of planned journey time, and only 200 km left to destination, we were tempted to proceed ahead with the journey. Thought we will have the lunch @ the destination itself.

Watch out for speed breakers at Anantapur. They are quite huge and not very noticeable at nights!!

After Anantapur, the sides of the roads turns scenic. We could see the western ghats cast in blue shades.

NH7 Hyderabad to Bangalore Road Condition

There are two tollgates between Anantapur and Bangalore.

Watch out for speed breakers at Penukonda. They are quite huge and not very noticeable at nights!!

 After crossing 172km from the previous fuel station, we could spot the B-TRAC sign board by 2.21 pm. Oh, We reached the Bangalore city. Cheers to us :)

Yeah the magical cruise has come to end for that day. Mitigating the city traffic and speed breakers, our speed had drastically come down. The PND with satguide maps came very handy in navigating within the city. Just following the turn by turn instructions, we passed through Hebbal - ORR - KRpuram without any hassles. Finally we reached the destination by 3:28 PM. The mind blowing magical Journey of 600+ km comes to smooth ending for that day. But the memories gonna stay forever!

I just made a note of Petrol Bunks in Hyderabad to Bangalore Route and Toll gates and summary is given below (updated on August 2012) 

Hyderabad to Bangalore - Trip summary as on August 2012

You may want to take a look at the return trip "Bangalore to Hyderabad". Click this link <http://hiwaysoul.blogspot.in/2011/10/bangalore-to-hyderabad-by-car.html> to read travel story.