Best route from Chennai to Ooty?

Travel Info
I plan to drive from Chennai to Ooty coming weekend. I have done this drive a couple of years back via Tindivanam, Villupuram, Ulundurpet, Kallakurichi, Salem, Avinashi and Mettuppalayam. But some of my friends have told me that the Ulundurpet - Salem section has become pretty bad recently.
Hence, though slightly longer, I am planning to take Chennai-Vellore-Vaniyambadi-Kr... I have never travelled in this section, so can anybody guide me on whether this is a good route in terms of road condition and estimated time.

Travel Tips

THe best route is by train till Mettupalayam or Coimbatore. From Mettupalayam you have narrow gauge train to Udhagamandalam r ooty which will take about 5 hrs or so.
From Coimbatore you have to take road which is 100 kms. There are many trains to Coimbatore from Cheenai.

Chennai-Coimbatore CHeran Express

Chennai-Coimbatore Kovai Express

Chennai-Coimbatore Intercity Express

Chennai-Coimbatore-Mettupalaya... Nilagiri Express

Chennai-Coimbatore-Jaipur Superfast Express

Others
Till kirshanagari the road is very good. you can zip in 140 and from krishanageri the Road is not too bad.. from krishanagari it will take aprox 3-4 hrs depends in your speed and the way you drive.
Best route from Chennai to Ooty is by Train
By Road the First route you have provided is best
(Via Trivandrum And Salem)
IRCTC