How Long To Drive From Bkk To Udon Thani

[Soju]

I need to know how long it would take to drive from the airport in Bangkok to Udon Thani at night (leaving about 11 PM). Also any idea on what the cost would be to hire a car/driver for the trip plus return the next day and where the best place would be to hire such a car? I know the plane is much faster and cheaper but that's not an option in this case. Thanks.

Edited March 27, 2006 by Soju

[Neeranam]

6 hours would be a good time driving at that time of night.

[Tippaporn]

Driving to Loei with the wifey usually takes 8-9, and that's closer than Udon Thani. Of course, she needs to stop and eat every couple of hours and won't let me drive faster than 100 kpm.

Edited March 27, 2006 by Tippaporn

[lopburi3]

Six hours would be over 100km per hour average and might be done but I suspect most hire cars would like to conserve gas a bit and be closer to seven hours. It is good road; but the drunks come out at night.

Believe there is also a problem with obtaining gas at night but not sure what the hours are now (has changed often). Believe you can ask around the taxi stand and find someone willing to drive you. There is a country wide list of fares in many Taxi so you could check that for idea of what to pay.

If you are meeting someone to bring back to Bangkok it might be better to have them arrive on the morning train and you meet here. Train travel is quite safe. I would not want to trust my life on an unknown driver if he has to return to Bangkok with no rest.

[Joey Boy]

I was talkin to a guy up there once, he had got a taxi from pattaya for udon for his mates wedding. His bird said it had taken them 16 hrs

[edd]

I have done the drive about 20 times and I drive like a human being, not like a Thai bus driver.

It takes me 8 to 9 hours depending on weather and traffic.

Be sure that you start with a full tank of petrol if you are travelling at night.

About 200 Km’s from Bangkok you will see a huge lake on your left and there is a café/complex with uk type toilets,[including disabled] good food and good parking.

I hire from

Lumpinee car rent centre

107/4 Wireless rd BKK

2255-3482

I think a small Toyota for 1 day is about 1200 Baht

I rent long time [ 1 month plus] and pay about 700 Baht per day for a new Toyota 1600cc automatic.

Don’t forget your International Driving licence or Thai licence

I have used this company for over 10 years and never had any problems but I go over the cars body work with them before I except it and mark down any marks on the car.

To be fair I do this every where in the world, its just good policy.

I HAVE NO LINKS WITH THIS COMPANY BEFORE ANY ONE ASKES

Speed checks are usually on the high level road near the Airport and at about 218 Km/s north of Bkk.

Enjoy the trip, I do

Edd

[Soju]

Thanks everyone for the info!