Leave Chennai around 5:30 AM via NH 48, joining the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway toward Vellore. Allow roughly two hours in light traffic, though Monday congestion around Poonamallee and Sriperumbudur can add time. Carry breakfast and water; highway fuel stations and cafés become more dependable after the city, with a convenient break near Vellore. Expect tolls and a total private-car cost of about ₹3,000–₹6,000 for the full journey, including fuel and tolls.
Spend about an hour at Vellore Fort, a beautifully preserved 16th-century granite fort with broad ramparts, a moat, and the Jalakanteshwara Temple inside. Visit in the cooler morning hours; entry to the fort is generally free, though temple timings can vary. From here, drive approximately 10–12 km to the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple at Sripuram, allowing 1½ hours including security checks and the long walking path through the complex. Phones, cameras, footwear, and large bags may be restricted, so follow the on-site storage rules and dress modestly; expect a lot of walking in the open.
Return to Vellore town for a quick vegetarian lunch—choose a busy local thali or South Indian restaurant around Gandhi Road or the central market area, where ₹200–₹500 per person is usually sufficient. Keep this to around 45 minutes, then continue west on NH 48 toward Anantapur, with the road gradually passing through drier landscapes after the Bengaluru outskirts. The remaining drive can take five to six hours depending on traffic, breaks, and toll plazas, so plan one fuel stop and avoid rushing. Check into your Anantapur hotel in the evening, rest, and keep sightseeing for tomorrow; confirm checkout time and parking arrangements tonight, as the return journey to Chennai via NH 44 and NH 48 is planned for Day 2.
Leave Chennai around 5:30 AM for the return drive to Anantapur via NH 48, allowing 7–8 hours including breaks. Expect a long highway day, with the best chance of a smooth run before traffic builds; stop for coffee and a proper meal near Chittoor or later toward Bengaluru, rather than trying to push through without a break. The final approach into Anantapur is straightforward, but arrange hotel parking in advance—especially if you are using a larger outstation taxi—and plan to check in and rest before sightseeing.
After lunch and a short rest, visit ISKCON Temple, Anantapur, for about 45 minutes. The temple is a calm, easy first stop after the drive; dress modestly, remove footwear where required, and check the day’s darshan timings locally, as afternoon access can pause during rituals. From there, continue into central Anantapur by auto-rickshaw or cab—roughly 10–15 minutes depending on traffic—for Anantapur Clock Tower. Allow 20 minutes for a brief walk and photographs, but avoid lingering in the busiest traffic around the junction.
Head next to Gooty Fort, about 55 km from Anantapur, allowing roughly 1–1½ hours each way depending on highway traffic. Set out with enough daylight for the steep climb: the fort is best treated as a viewpoint and ruin walk rather than a quick roadside stop, and sturdy footwear, water, and a phone torch are useful. Avoid beginning the ascent close to sunset, particularly in August when cloud and rain can reduce visibility. Return to central Anantapur for dinner at a well-reviewed local Andhra restaurant—ask your hotel to confirm which kitchens are open that night—and try a regional rice meal, dal, vegetable curry, or a spicy chicken preparation; budget about ₹250–₹600 per person.
Do not begin the Anantapur–Chennai drive after dinner unless absolutely necessary. Keep the car parked overnight and leave early the next morning via NH 48, with a planned breakfast stop and a driver-rest break; the full return takes around 7–8 hours. Confirm toll balance, fuel, and the driver’s permitted duty hours tonight so you can depart promptly and safely.