I just drove up and down to Manipal and Back to Cochin. The trip that took us 10-11 hrs earlier now takes 14-15 hrs. Leaving Manipal the surface is mostly good, except that conversion to dual carriage way is not complete. There are intermittent diversions and the road is not marked or lit on the sides, so if you are doing this stretch when it is dark excercise caution. Most vehicles on this stretch drive with the Main Beam on, and dont believe in dipping the lights to on coming vehicles.
Mangalore to Kasaragode, it is a single carriageway, the surface is very patch, with some damaged sections. This is being patched up now and the work is still in progress.
Kasaragdoe to Caliut- the surface is good, but again a single carriage way. The level crossings on this sector have been bypassed, which is a good thing. Traffic on this section is heavy with buses, trucks, autorickshaws and 2 wheelers. Everyone vying for his space, leaves you downshifting constantly. Average speed made good on this sector was about 40KPH.
Most towns between Kasaragode to Calicut do not have bypasses.
If you miss the turn to the new bypass before Calicut at Thiruvangoor( as it is unmarked), proceed as far as West Hill and then turn left. This turn is marked.
From Calicut to Cochin- Exit NH17 at Tavanur Jn. and head for Trichur to connect on NH 47. The surface is good. On the Calicut - Trichur section, it is a single carriage way, and the traffic is heavy.
You will witness atleast one accident and a few near misses. Excercise caution.
The road has toll collection - About Rs100.00 in all