Did a Bangalore - Sriharikota & return. Thought to update the latest road conditions / route taken.
Onward: 8am - 4pm, Bangalore - Hoskote - Kolar - Mulbagal - Palamaner - Bangarupellam - Gajulapalli - Mudigolam - Kanipakkam Arch - Gaddanki - Tirupati Bypass - Renigunta - Srikalahasti - BN Kandriga - Sullurupeta - Sriharikota.
Bangalore - Palmaner: Awesome roads. 4 lane divided highway.
Palamaner - Bangarupellam: 4 lane divided highway, but 5-6 diversions, some pretty confusing. Some gravel roads, some mud roads. The finished concrete sections are awesome.
Bangarupellam - Gajulapalli - Mudigolam - Kanipakkam Arch: 1-2 lane undivided roads. General road condition is good. Usual village traffic, road directions are a bit confusing, for a first timer. If you can bear the Chittoor traffic, this is not an alternative. But peaceful, mango farm surrounded, a bit lonely, lovely village roads. No potholes.
Kanipakkam Arch - Gaddanki - Tirupati: Wide 2 lane, undivided. 3 vehicles can easily go side by side. No major issues in overtaking. Some mad drivers too. Nice tar surface. Widening (probably to 2-3 lanes each side) taking place in full swing. Except a bit heavier traffic.
Tirupati Bypass - Renigunta - Sirkalahasti: Wide 2 lane, undivided for most part. Nice tar surface here too. Most speedbreakers are well marked.
Srikalahasti - BN Kandriga: 1.5 lane undivided. Good surface, no potholes.
BN Kandriga - Sullurupeta: 1 lane undivided. Good surface, pretty narrow. You have to get down the steep (often) red sand shoulder (not always easy) for the opposite vehicle.
Sullurupeta - Sriharikota: 2 lane undivided, beautiful roads (most of it divides Pulicat lake). Lovely roads. Sunsets & sunrises will be really awesome here.
Break options: Beyond Palamaner, few & far. In Tirupati bypass, had lunch at Southern Spices. Recommended.
Returned through the same route. Took 9+ hrs (Reached Bangalore outskirts at 6pm, right at the peak hours). Around 1+ hrs in Bangalore traffic.
Trivia:
1. Sriharikota doesn't have a place to stay. Stay in Sullurupeta. Very few options. Pretty ordinary hotels. Expect only basic amenities. People interested to visit PSLV/GSLV rocket missions (for seeing the live launches), you can do now. There is a new Space Launch Gallery opened for public. Google the name SHAR & register yourselves.
2. Pulicate lake: Peak season is Dec-Jan. Flamingos & Pelicans are in abundance. Local festivals conducted. Boating service get introduced too.
3. Southern Spices - Veg as well as Mutton Biriyani were good. Recommended. Clean Bathrooms. Located in Tirupati Bypass.