The Lucknow-Agra Expressway that was inaugurated in 2016, made travelling to Agra from Lucknow by road a no-brainer, by offering travellers a never-before kind of ease of commuting. The highway – the longest in the country – is now completed, without any diversions caused by parts of the road still under construction. Here’s an updated post on travel tips for those taking to the expressway in 2018.
1. Be ready to shell out the toll tax
From the January 19, 2018, commuters on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway have to pay a toll tax. The rates have been fixed at Rs. 570 for car, jeep, van or light motor vehicles and Rs. 905 for light commercial vehicles or mini bus. The toll plaza is located some 25 km away from the entry point of the Lucknow-Agra expressway.
2. Finally, there are washrooms on the expressway!
Now you don’t need to take the detour to a petrol pumps off the highway when the expressway intersects the GT Road, NH2 and near Saifai, in order to use a washroom. There are washrooms located at every 100 kms on the 302-km stretch now.
3. Stock up on snacks and drinks for the way
Other public conveniences such as petrol pumps and cafeterias, are still under construction. Don’t expect to find shops/vendors selling colas, chips or chewing gums.
4. Keep the car tyre pressure between 28psi and 30psi
Keep the pressure in your car tyres between , to avoid tyre bursts which are not unheard of in the summer months. Better still, get nitrogen gas for your tyres for highway travel.
5. Safe Speed
Needless to say, drive safely. The expressway roads are bump-free, traffic-free, distraction-free too. Mostly. So the temptation to speed is natural. But pay heed to your head, not your heart. Strap your seat belts on. And stick to 100km per hour speed limit. Stray neelgais, dogs and villagers on bikes and tractors coming in the wrong direction can cause you to jam on your brakes. Also, the highway is still under construction, and minor diversions need you to get your car speed under control.
5. Avoid driving in the night
Unless you really, really have to, avoid the Lucknow-Agra Expressway at night, because most of the highway is still unlit.
6. Carry your music
Good road trips don’t happen without good music. Since you won’t be driving through towns and villages, you won’t have those townscapes to keep your entertained. So, keep your music playlist handy. That’s pretty much all the entertainment you will have for the smooth ride to Agra. Apart from good company, of course, if you have that for the way.
7. Help is at hand
Don’t stress about your safety on the expressway. Dial 100 Police Vans are stationed at every few kilometres on the highway, and are ready to help.
Travel tips by Vikas Singh
Vikas is a businessman by profession, a road-tripper by passion. Highway is his way!
