Is it possible to drive to either Pai or Mae Hong San from BKK, and bypass Chiangmai completely? I am trying to avoid flying, but don't really want a ridiculously long drive either.

Sure you can, just depends what sort of roads you prefer.

Get a good map.

bypass chiangmai??? just do the super highway ring roads if you cant go around..., its half empty as it is...

Just stay on the superhighway from Bangkok when you hit CM and then turn right at the main intersection for Mae Rim; or if you really want to miss town, turn right onto the inner ringroad a kilometre or so before the underpass for the airport (superhighway), do four underpasses and then turn right onto the Mae Rim road. Going the long way around via the likes of Chomthong and Doi Inthanon area just to avoid going through the environs of Chiang Mai, unless you're up for the sightseeing, is a bit ott me thinks. Pai is about three hours from CM, MHS 3 hoursish again.

The outer ring road just north of Hang Dong advertises that you can get to MHSon on the Samoeng Road also.

The outer ring road just north of Hang Dong advertises that you can get to MHSon on the Samoeng Road also.

Yes, but it is a not so good dirt road for at least half the trip, which is about a 5 or 6 hour drive from Samoeng. Only a passable road during the dry season. Good for the adventure is all it is advertised as..

That dirt road past Samoeng is what people refer to as the old elephant trail isn't it?

The outer ring road just north of Hang Dong advertises that you can get to MHSon on the Samoeng Road also.

That's not correct.

There is indeed a sign, but it indicates to take the Chiang Mai - Hod Road (Hang Dong Road), which is indeed a perfectly good way to get to Mae Hong Son; (Turn right at Hod, then to Mae Sariang and then up to Mae Hong Son; there are big buses from the Arcade terminal that take this route).

Now, it IS possible to get to Mae Hong Son from Samoeng but that's pretty hard-core. (Samoeng - Wat Chan - Pai is somewhat more doable, but still more effort than the regular roads). There are no highway signs advertising this.

Another way is Over Doi Inthanon and then from Mae Chaem to Mae Hong Son.. Those are weird military roads though that aren't very well signposted.

Getting back to the original question: Yes you can bypass Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. Then you'd do Bangkok - Tak - Mae Sod - Mae Sariang - Mae Hong Son. Check on Google maps how many kilometers that would be, chances are it's slightly less kilometers compared to going past Chiang Mai, though I'm not sure if it's also faster time-wise. Scenic for sure, though.

Getting back to the original question: Yes you can bypass Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. Then you'd do Bangkok - Tak - Mae Sod - Mae Sariang - Mae Hong Son. Check on Google maps how many kilometers that would be, chances are it's slightly less kilometers compared to going past Chiang Mai, though I'm not sure if it's also faster time-wise. Scenic for sure, though.

Yes, this would be the correct route, keeping you south of Chiang Mai. A very scenic drive. There are nice places to stay on the river in Mae Sariang if you need a break there.

The talk of going through Samoeng is nonsense. Samoeng to Wat Chan can be done in a truck, a car would be doubtful indeed. Wat Chan to MHS is basically 4 wheel drive only. Poster that referred to this as the 'Old Elephant Trail" is correct and it is a popular dirt bike trip. Definitely not a viable way to MHS for the average driver or just wanting to avoid Chiang Mai.

That dirt road past Samoeng is what people refer to as the old elephant trail isn't it?

Good fun on a scrambler this time of year mate. Fancy it sometime?

This time of year it wouldn't be as challenging as doing it in September. At LEAST wait for a bit of rain otherwise it's no fun.

I did it this time last year , in torrential rain.

Great fun.

All these trips a somewhat easier with GPS.

Cheers