Roadtrip from Chennai to Tirupati/Tirumala

We recently took a roadtrip on a self-driven Scorpio from Chennai to Tirupati/Tirumala. The trip was excellent thanks to the Lord's Blessings. We followed the following route to Tirupati/Tirumala:

Start: Chennai
- Go to Tiruvallur via Chennai Tiruvallur High Road (aka NH205)
- Continue on NH205 to Tiruttani, Nagari, Putthur, Renigunta
End: Tirupati

Road conditions were terrible on the Tiruvallur High Road and also again from a little bit after Tiruttani all the way to Tirupati via Renigunta. Potholes all the way.

The ride over the potholes (big and small) were really jarring. The next visit, we are going to try the Bangalore Highway and onto Chittur and to Tirupati.

A few notes from our trip:

• Security clearance before ascending Tirumala Halls takes a very long time. Give it about an hour and a half. Also, watch out for a massive traffic oneupmanship when you drive through the checkpost bays.
• Roads on the Tirumala Hills (Ghat Roads) were excellent and such a relief after the pothole-filled Renigunta Road.