Route 210

[rod2011]

I am travelling to Udon Thani in April for a trip to Nong Bua Lamphu.

I will be hiring a car and driving to Nong Bua Lamphu (about 100 kilos) along route 210.

My flight arrives at 7pm. Is route 210 fine to drive in the dark or would I be better getting a hotel that night and driving the following day ?

Never been to the area but I have a Sat nav so what could go wrong ???

Also any 'must do' sights to see in the area ?

Thanks

[SantiSuk]

If you are squeamish about killing dogs then stay the night! Isaan village dogs seem to have a death wish between about 8pm and 11pm in my experience. If you drive from dusk to 8pm watch out for unlit Kubotas (the mecanno-like contraptions that are poor farmer tractor-trailers driven at 10kph).

I don't know that specific road but if you are prepared to keep your speed down when appropriate (inhabited areas) and you can stay alert, then there is no reason why night-time driving should be avoided IMO- but no way if your flight has been a longer international one. I know that some say that night-time driving in Thailand should be avoided at all costs, but I think there are additional daytime risks (much heavier traffic, lots of kids on motorbikes, old <deleted> turning right in their knackered pick-ups with no lights, daytime drunks - I could go on for hours) that make the daytime equally risky.

Sorry - if you are an experienced Thai country driver then this is just teaching granny to suck eggs.

[bails]

The road (210) is fine and is a lot less than 100 k,s from Udon to Nong Bua Lamphu.

[robbo1]

The road (210) is fine and is a lot less than 100 k,s from Udon to Nong Bua Lamphu.

About a 40 min drive At least half would be duel lane way if I remember.

[sirchai]

Never been to the area but I have a Sat nav so what could go wrong ???

I'd just drive home, driving very carefully. It doesn't really mater what time of the day you'll drive, risks are always and everywhere on Thai roads.Watch out for "Kubotas" (the tiny tractors without light), Pick Ups without light, people who never use their blinkers, drunks, two and four legged buffaloes, cows, dogs,etc..

Just get enough sleep on the plane and drive. Aeeh..And do not stop when you see an accident, they might blame you for,when trying to help. Cheers-M.

Edited February 10, 2012 by sirchai

[rod2011]

Thanks everybody, I think I may well give it a try, will let you know how it went in April

[KhunBENQ]

Just to make sure: if you want to go from Udon Thani city/airport to Nong Bua Lamphu ("city", mueang) it is only 40 km on a four lane road (just some minor "hill driving" in the way). This kind of trip is doable.

Where do you have the 100 km from?

Edited February 10, 2012 by KhunBENQ

[chuckd]

Just to make sure: if you want to go from Udon Thani city/airport to Nong Bua Lamphu ("city", mueang) it is only 40 km on a four lane road (just some minor "hill driving" in the way). This kind of trip is doable.

Where do you have the 100 km from?

Rod:

I just drove it today and it is about 45 kilometers from the airport to Nong Bua Lamphu. It is four lane divided highway all the way from the airport to Nong Bua Lamphu. The road is newly constructed and in good shape. At night the road gets rather twisty driving through a small mountain range just before you get to NBL so drive carefully and slowly when the road changes elevation appreciably.

When you arrive in NBL as you descend from the mountainous road, at the first traffic light there is a hotel located on the right side immediately following the traffic light. I have heard it is the best in NBL and is reasonably priced.

At the hour you expect to arrive, the light will be blinking rather than a fully functional stop llght.

If you miss the hotel, keep driving for another 35 kilometers and stop at the hotel I provided information for. The four lane stops in NBL and you will have the "two lane to hades" road with "millions" of sugar cane trucks. OK, maybe not millions of them but there might be lots of them and their warning on the back consists of a red rag tied to one single stalk of sugar cane, which will be piled 3 meters high on the truck.

Good luck

PS: When you drive on 210 between NBL and Wang Saphung, plan on at least 30% of the traffic coming at you to be either partially or completely in your lane. I only drive in the motorcycle lane for cement trucks and 55 passenger buses. All others I play chicken with.