I am driving with 3 others to the south of Thailand in about 3 days.

I am looking for the safest and fastest way down.

Can I rely on Google map?

Has anyone driven this trip in either direction?

Anyone know of a nice, comfortable and reasonable GH in Ayutthaya?

Anyone have any useful tips about the driving this distance?

Safest way is to fly

Other than that, just follow google maps directions, pretty straight forward.

A nice option is to take the 340 instead of highway 1, pass by Sam Chuck before BKK.

How far south are you going ??

I did it 2 years ago, Surat to CM and back over New Years.. Nightmare but we survived...

Safest way is to fly

I hear that.

A nice option is to take the 340 instead of highway 1, pass by Sam Chuck before BKK.

What's in Sam Chuck?

How far south are you going ??

Cha Am or further south, up to 100km.

I do the trip between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai every year. I use either highway 1 or 11 (from Chiang Mai side) and then turn off on highway 4. Takes about 11 hours with 5 stops included. If you however go through BKK you can add 2 hours.

In Sam Chuk there 's The 100 years old Market or "talaat roi pie" . Every weekend about 10000 visitors, 99% thai and almost no foreign visitors here,but last 2 years some touroparators from Bangkok see this as Alternative for The floating markets. ( local food products and cloths)

Here's a tip you may find useful. If you are driving and don't feel like making it to

the next "big" city hotel, look for a "curtain motel" to spend the night in. Over the past

20 years I have travelled this Kingdom extensively and found these accommodations

to be inexpensive, clean, great beds, TV, refers and excellent room service. I have

never experienced rude service in fact, the service has aways been exemplary.

Give it a go, you could be surprised.

Edited February 17, 201313 yr by Dap

Here's a tip you may find useful. If you are driving and don't feel like making it to

the next "big" city hotel, look for a "curtain motel" to spend the night in. Over the past

20 years I have travelled this Kingdom extensively and found these accommodations

to be inexpensive, clean, great beds, TV, refers and excellent room service. I have

never experienced rude service in fact, the service has aways been exemplary.

Give it a go, you could be surprised.

Yup, we got a couple near us..

Just 280 baht... Bargain...

Our neighbor showed me around his 'motel' and it was as nice, if not nicer than a lot of hotels I have stayed in..

Plus your car is safe behind the curtain

Here's a tip you may find useful. If you are driving and don't feel like making it to

the next "big" city hotel, look for a "curtain motel" to spend the night in. Over the past

20 years I have travelled this Kingdom extensively and found these accommodations

to be inexpensive, clean, great beds, TV, refers and excellent room service. I have

never experienced rude service in fact, the service has aways been exemplary.

Give it a go, you could be surprised.

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Dap,

I've never been in one, but, my impression is the so-called "curtain motels" are designed for places to go to have sex, or whatever, for a few hours, while your car is hidden away from public view.

If you book one alone, do you think you'll get a discount rate ?

yrs, ~o:37;

Here's a tip you may find useful. If you are driving and don't feel like making it to

the next "big" city hotel, look for a "curtain motel" to spend the night in. Over the past

20 years I have travelled this Kingdom extensively and found these accommodations

to be inexpensive, clean, great beds, TV, refers and excellent room service. I have

never experienced rude service in fact, the service has aways been exemplary.

Give it a go, you could be surprised.

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Dap,

I've never been in one, but, my impression is the so-called "curtain motels" are designed for places to go to have sex, or whatever, for a few hours, while your car is hidden away from public view.

If you book one alone, do you think you'll get a discount rate ?

yrs, ~o:37;

Yo, Khun O37,

Your impression is "spot-on" as they are indeed designed for those who wish to engage in a bit of discreet dalliance, but in this case I figure we are talking about the "or whatever" service as I have utilized their services only while traveling (alone) and in need of acommodations whilst just east of nowhere. Never paid more than 350/400 baht and thought I was already getting a discount (although I'm pretty sure that was the going rate). Spent only a few hours (too weary for any self manipulated sex) and on my way refreshed for the nxt days travels

Edited February 17, 201313 yr by Dap

I agree with Cornishcarlos about taking the 340 route south from Chai Nat. I live in Suphanburi Province and think their roads are above average for quality. I would further suggest heading west at Suphanburi and avoiding the ring road (# 9) around Bangkok. I suggest in Suphanburi you take the 357 ring road toward Uthong and then pick up Route 321 to Uthong and Nakhon Pathom. Once in Nakhon Pathom you pick up Route 4 toward Ratchaburi and Cha'am and further south. All very good roads and you avoid the traffic in and around Ayutthaya, Bang Bua Thong, Bang Bon, etc.