Shikoku driving across from Ozu to Kochi

In late Nov. we will drive across from Uchiko towards Kochi, staying at Sorayama Guest House along the way. Can anyone suggest a good route and stops? Also there seems a choice to drive via Kumakogan or via Niyodogawa - which would be better for scenery , interesting stops etc?

I've been to Uchiko and Kochi, but I've never driven between them.
Kumakogen-town is the town that is said to have the most snow in Shikoku.
Last year, it snowed on November 18.
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/845136?display=1
If you have little experience driving on snowy roads, I recommend taking a route that is as low in altitude as possible and has a wide road.
The timing of snow accumulation differs depending on the year, so please check the weather forecast and information on road closures.
https://www.pref.ehime.jp/page/8914.html
https://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/doc/2019012400171/
If there is no snow, the mountain side route may be good.

I drove from Kochi to Uchiko/Ozu in August 2023. I mainly went along the coastline (basically route 56 with a few tweaks), so that's quite different from your plan. However, I had considered going inland and visiting Yusuhara, as some friends recommended it to me. It is a small town, with several buildings desgined by Kengo Kuma. I'd recommend going there if you are into architecture.

I also strongly recommend using the Yonokami Kuroshio Line between Susaki and Kochi. It is a regular road, with outstanding views on the coastline. There are points of view with car parks along the way. I was really impressed by the sights. Also, you can visit Shoryuji (one of the 88 temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage) and Otonashi jinja.

Enjoy your trip !

Thanks Vienna. We are being advised a lot to "Stick to the big main roads" but that is not our style so your answer is encouraging . The owner of a guesthouse we are staying in near to Kochi has said to drive across the middle from Ozu is doable, but he's been the only advice we have right now. Susaki would be a good sidetrip we had been considering....

I agree with you, staying on the main roads is not so exciting! Last year, I drove from Kochi to Matsuyama (through Ozu and Uchiko) in two days. On the first day, we went from Kochi to Shimanto (not far from Cape Ashizuri) and used mainly smaller roads along the coast, stopping here and there for photos, etc. On the second day we used a mix of main roads and smaller roads as we had a larger distance to cover and more stops along the way. It was in summer, a few days after a typhoon and had no particular issues. I don't know about the weather in November. Anyhow, I think if you drive carefully, you should have no issues. Just a note, the small roads can be quite narrow, so don't drive too fast on those, it can be difficult when a car arrives in the opposite direction. It is like moutain roads in the Alps.