Does anyone have a rough idea of how long it takes to drive from Bangkok to Petchabun?

Migs,

It should take you around 4 hours give or take depending on how fast you drive, traffic conditions, where you are starting from in BKK etc. We used to travel BKK (Thong Lor) - Nong Phai which is on highway 21 just before Petchabun. Allowing for a couple of quick stops (food/toilet) we could get there in approx 4hrs.

Thanks NTT, just what I needed to know.

Best I can remember it takes about 5 hours by bus, or 3 1/2 hours by car driving fast. Too bad the airport has been closed down.

Enter chonburi airport expressway, turn left to bang pa in,get to saraburi and coast your way to petchabun,fill your gas tank around saraburi area., i do it less time suggested above, even the wife can do 3 hours. Well, you end ours at wichien Buri.

Pattaya to Lomsak 5 hours 30 minutes max. I drive an NV and cruise at 120 klicks, Full tank before leaving, no stops on the way. Sandwiches and coffee keep body and soul together. I wouldn't care to make the trip in daylight hours though.

about 3 hours from Bangkok krub.

Allow yourself 4 hours for the journey but beware of the highway police along the 21 duel carraigway.

The 21 is by Thai standards a good road but there are a few deep pot holes and deep ruts to the nearside lanes from heavy goods vehicles so keep your eyes peeled.

Daylight driving is best if you don’t know the road.

I’ve added the route I use which you can use as a guide from Bangkok-Phetchabun.

Pattaya to Phetchabun

Pattaya to Phetchabun is approximately 510 kilometres.

Take the number 7 road to Bangkok and when you go past the Airport look for the exits onto Route 9.

You want the 9 to Bang Pa-in (Eastern Ring Road)

At the end of the 9, keep in the right hand lane and head for Saraburi - Route No 1.

As you get closer to Saraburi look out for signs for Lopburi & Phetchabun, there are at least 2 exits from the 1, onto the frontage road. This will get you onto the Saraburi by pass. After one set of lights look out for Lopburi & Phetchabun green signs.

Take the left hand lanes and keep on this 3 lane road.

Follow past one set of traffic lights and as you approach the second set of lights, there are 4 lanes. The left two lanes are the Route 1 again to Lopburi, and the two right hand lanes are for Route 21 to Phetchabun.

There are traffic lights here before going up the 21, so be prepared to stop etc.

Route 21 goes all the way to Phetchabun city, many sets of lights and pesky Brown & Yellows in the main part of day.

Phetchabun City police now have radar equipment and it gets a run out now and again.

Route 21 is pretty rural, despite it being a dual carriage way, plenty of local farmers on buffalo tractors and vehicles heading towards you on your side of the road.

On my last journey which was last October there was continuous road works on the 9 road, there are a couple of toll gates on the 9 road.

Link tip:

Here is a website dedicated to driving in rural Thailand, traffic rules, road signs etc.

http://www.freebeerforyorky.com/

Edited January 18, 201016 yr by nam-thip