How Long To Self-Drive To Vientiane?

[davevi]

I want to drive my car to the border of Thailand at Vientiane. I will be starting from Chiang Mai.

Google says its between 11 and 12 hours.

I'm wondering what the real-world times are to drive from Chiang Mai to the border of Laos at Vientiane.

[CMSteve]

Real world is between 8-9hrs

[OldeBellPedr]

You'd have to really tank it to do it in 8-9 hours! I reckon Google's not far out. The trick is finding and following the maze of roads that head off east from Uttaradit and end up in Loei. If you find them ok you may knock an hour or two off the time.

[Rotweiler]

Our last CM to Nong Khai (the Lao Border City) with 3 1/2 hr stops along the way - just shy of 12 hours.

Added: Should add the route: CM - Lampang - Tak, then Highway 12 to Khon Kaen, then Highway 2 to the border.

Edited November 29, 2012 by Rotweiler

[harrry]

allow google time....longer b if you take short cut.

[Boksida]

Real world is between 8-9hrs

That's my experience as well. Have done the trip to Udon scores of times and that is about 7.5 - 8 hours driving in any conditions. I usually use the road from Phu Reua to Wang Saphung to bypass Loei and shorten the trip.