A friend in FMCG marketing drove in his Toyota Etios from Bangalore (Koramangala) to Coimbatore for a 2 days work in early-October 2016. This was his maiden trip after relocating to Bangalore.
He left home at 6 am. The route taken by him for the onward journey was (with mention of intermediate distance & time):
Bangalore (Koramangala) - Electronic City - Attibele - Hosur = 35 kms (1 hr)
Hosur - Krishnagiri = 53 kms (50 mins)
Krishnagiri - Dharmapuri = 51 kms (45 mins)
Dharmapuri - Salem = 60 kms (1 hr 10 mins)
Salem - Bhavani via NH544 = 68 kms (1 hr 10 mins)
Bhavani - Coimbatore = 105 kms (2 hrs)
During the return journey to Bangalore from Coimbatore on Day 2, he drove via the Bhavani, Mettur, Mecheri route . The distance was about 55 kms lesser (vis-a-vis the toll road he took on Day 1), but took him about 45 mins more.
He left Coimbatore at 11.30 am and was back home at 7 pm.
He claims that the return route was somewhat scenic but slow.
