Hi All,

Appreciate if anyone can tell me the best way to drive around Bangkok (coming from Chumporn) to get to Khon Kaen. First time driving so would like to get a simple bypass to avoid Bangkok.

Cheers for any help.

Route 9, the outer ring road will take you round the central area, but it's still pretty busy. Nerves of steel required.

Route 9, the outer ring road will take you round the central area, but it's still pretty busy. Nerves of steel required.

I have done this quite a few times. The road is very long, don't start thinking you're on the wrong road because of its length. Nothing special on the road though, don't see why nerves of steel would be required.

When you pass the same thing three times you know you have taken the wrong exit and entry.

When you pass the same thing three times you know you have taken the wrong exit and entry.

My suggestion to all is buy a cheap GarminGps with Thai maps in English and you will fell more comfortable driving as you will be more relaxed cost about 4,000bt

Just past the airport take turnoff 9 to Sara Buri. Be careful, it's JUST past airport turnoff. And remember the turnoff goes both ways so make sure you head in the right direction. You can also go via Chachoengsao which is a nicer drive, but a little trickier. Enjoy your drive.

Route 9, the outer ring road will take you round the central area, but it's still pretty busy. Nerves of steel required.

I have done this quite a few times. The road is very long, don't start thinking you're on the wrong road because of its length. Nothing special on the road though, don't see why nerves of steel would be required.

I don't do it often, but as you say it's long and can get very fast.

For a first-timer care is required, the first time I drove north up that section is was madness and even in a big vehicle nerves were becoming frayed.

+1 on getting a GPS.

Just past the airport take turnoff 9 to Sara Buri. Be careful, it's JUST past airport turnoff. And remember the turnoff goes both ways so make sure you head in the right direction. You can also go via Chachoengsao which is a nicer drive, but a little trickier. Enjoy your drive.

He's coming from Chumpon on highway 35 he needs to turn left on to 9 this is the shortest way

Just past the airport take turnoff 9 to Sara Buri. Be careful, it's JUST past airport turnoff. And remember the turnoff goes both ways so make sure you head in the right direction. You can also go via Chachoengsao which is a nicer drive, but a little trickier. Enjoy your drive.

He's coming from Chumpon on highway 35 he needs to turn left on to 9 this is the shortest way

Yes, totally true, no need to go direction Swampy.

He's coming from Chumpon on highway 35 he needs to turn left on to 9 this is the shortest way

Not the shortest way but is the simplest way. (Shortest way is to get on the expressway at Dao Khanong head towards Bang Na , then take the "Ramintra" Expressway north and meet up with 9 on the east side of the city.)

OP needs to stay on 4 going north and keep following the signs for Bangkok. About 30 kms north of Phetchaburi there is a left lane exit to get on 35 going east this is signposted Bangkok. Follow 35 east after approx 75kms there will be a sign for Hwy 9 Kanchanapisek Rd. You need to follow signs for Nakom Pathom/Bang Kae NOT Bang Na. Stay on 6 which is a street level busy urban route not an expressway. Get into the outer 3 lanes and drive 75-ish kms you will start to see signs for

Hwy 1 to Saraburi. When in Saraburi follow signs for Hwy 2 to Pak Chong/Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) stay on 2 and you will eventually see signs for Khon Kaen.

GoogleMaps is always a great aid. Initially it gives the shortest route through BKK, but you can modify the route to take 9 to the west of BKK. Then you can zoom in on the junctions to get a better view.

When you pass the same thing three times you know you have taken the wrong exit and entry.

A bit like the M25

Great stuff. Thanks everybody.

Hitting the road tomorrow!