Memorable Solo road trip from Delhi to Patna

It was a pure joy, fun on wheel on a 15-year-old Zen Estilo from Dwarka, Delhi to Patna on 5th Feb 2023.

My beauty and most trusted car Zen Estilo turned 15 on 6th Feb 2023. As per Delhi rule, I have to dispose of the car or bring back to Patna for a further lease of life of five years to my "Basanti". I was so attached to this car so I decided to bring it back to Patna to apply for a 5-year extension by paying road tax at Patna with Bihar number.

I got NOC online in December at Delhi and then looking for a time to go to Delhi and bring back the car. In any case I have to bring back before 6th Feb 2023.

My friend and his wife were returning to Delhi on 2nd Feb with car so I decided to join them. His car was new Kia sonet. It was a new car with less than 10000 km run. We started at 6.15 am precisely from Patna and took Patna-Bihta-Koilwar-Buxar-Purvanchal Eway-Lucknow -Agra Eway -Yamuna Eway -Sarita Vihar-Outer ring road-Dwarka with leisurely 3 stops and two fuel stops. We make it must to check tyre pressure after taking fuel to maintain right pressure in tyres.

We reached Delhi border around 8 pm but then Delhi traffic took more than 1.5 hours to reach Dwarka.

The car was well balanced above 100 KMPH and can go further. I drove through out from Patna to Delhi. Driving on expressways was enjoyable and there was no strain and tiredness. It was my 12^th road trip to Delhi from Patna. The first was way back in 1989 via Patna-Varanasi-Allahabad-Agra-Delhi in Maruti van with family.

Next day took Zen for last pollution certificate at Delhi, and the technician reminded that it is only 3 days left. I told him that I am on time and taking back my car to Patna permanently. Got fuel tank full, tyres pressure checked and then went to old repairing shop looking for Mukesh and got checked mobil etc and also put new high power LED front light since the original bulb light was of less wattage and difficult in night to drive. There was no special preparation or maintenance for this long trip.  The car was ready to go.

The car and me was all set for the long drive. But somewhere at the back of mind few friends put a suspicion about the worthiness and condition of car suggesting to take somebody since car is old. But I was confident with Zen and decided to leave Delhi at 5.00 am and reached Patna home at 8.10 pm. Yes, off course I was bit worried about flat tyres on way but my trust in Zen was fully intact and there was nothing untoward happen to the car on the way. It behaved perfectly fine throughout the journey.

What a wonderful solo drive, took back same route and most of the time the car was quite comfortable at 90-100 KMPH and for few stretches I even tested it above.

Out of Delhi vicinity quite early with no traffic. Took first stop on Agra -Lucknow eway after covering 326 Km in one stretch at 9.26 am and started again at 10.10 am.

Dwarka - 31 km-Noida G Noida eway approach- 24 km -Entered Yamuna Eway- 165 km-Agra -5 km -Agra Lucknow eway - 101 km - on Lucknow eway =326 km 

Out of three eways , Yamuna, Lucknow and Purvanchal, the best surface was of Agra-Lucknow eway.

It took another two hours to exit Lucknow eway by covering 199 km. Exited eway at 12.15 pm (total travel was 525 km).

It took one hour to cover Lucknow city to enter Purvanchal eway. However, it is much better and fast than taking Lucknow -Gorakhpur highway. Entered Purvanchal eway at 1.15 pm by covering 35 km in city.  At 560 km entered Purvanchal eway at Lucknow.

Took second break at 3.35 pm at 787 km and started at 4 pm.

Purvanchal eway is 339 km 

Exit from Purvanchal eway at 897 km at 5.20 pm.

Purvanchal eway is still developing therefore one should be alert to find gas station and also eatery on the way. For that matter Lucknow-Agra Eway has two fully  developed stop on both sides with good food plaza , wash rooms, seating, spacious , gas station etc.

Purvanchal eway exit to Buxar round about 20 km was undivided single lane road with lot of evening traffic.

From Buxar to Patna it took less than 3 hours, new road was good and there was no traffic jam on Arrah -Chapra bridge before new Patna-Koilwar bridge.

It was mostly toll road and there are three toll plaza on Yamuna eway of 165 km charging Rs 415 and then Agra inner ring road toll of Rs 40, Agra Lucknow (entry and exit) 300 km Rs 650 and Purvanchal eway (entry and exit) charging Rs 675 for 339 km. 

Total toll was Rs 1780 and took two fuels stop and tyre pressure check on the way.

Total distance covered was 1044 km in 15.10 hours.

I had a yet another memorable and enjoyable road trip in trusty  Zen Estilo from Delhi to Patna. It was wonderful that it performed beyond my expectation through out the journey , even after being on road for 15 years.

I am so happy to bring back my Zen to home and it proved to be my real Zen mate. I was so peaceful and composed throughout the journey in my little old Zen. Finding a peaceful place on the wheel.