We have driven a couple of times from Penang to Krabi just following roadsigns.

In Trang they lead you from the Trang bypass over road #4046 to Krabi, this is a two lane road.

I'm wondering if staying on Phetkasem Road #4 would be faster.

Is this a 4 lane all the way to Krabi?

Have a look on Google Earth.

Google Earth doesn't answer your question. It's most of the time a 2 lane road. It only starts to be 4 lanes after Klong Thom.

Thanks Klongmuang.

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klongmuang, on 10 Mar 2014 - 22:56, said:

Google Earth doesn't answer your question. It's most of the time a 2 lane road. It only starts to be 4 lanes after Klong Thom.

Doesnt it cover that area then.?. Cant check on this phone. device.

Use bypass road 419 to avoid Hua Yot and follow Krabi signs via Sikao. Lovely and scenic road. Will lead you eventually to Hwy 4, Khlong Thom and Krabi.

Use bypass road 419 to avoid Hua Yot and follow Krabi signs via Sikao. Lovely and scenic road. Will lead you eventually to Hwy 4, Khlong Thom and Krabi.

heading south; Krabie -south

Past the turn off to Lanta take a left when u see signs for SIKAO

this leads you more direct, than when u get to the outskirts of Trang take 403 south to Kantang. This is the ring road for Trang.

before i found this i was alwsys going into Trang and getting lost for 30 minutes or so.

Last trip to Alor Star- (Cameron highlands) end of last month. we headed this way an then crossed over at Wang Prachan border,( close to Satun) and south

Its an hour more as your travelling on small roads in Malaysia thru towns until u hit Alor Star, but 100kms less an a more leisurly drive

Use bypass road 419 to avoid Hua Yot and follow Krabi signs via Sikao. Lovely and scenic road. Will lead you eventually to Hwy 4, Khlong Thom and Krabi.

It's an awesome drive that road (4046) - it really feels like driving on a racing track, the way it flows (loads of long rolling turns), and the condition. To be treated with care though - lots of sections are double lined but TIT and you will get oncoming vehicles in your lane at a blind bend - keep left on the sharp turns, particularly the notorious 'harm tai' corner (translates to 'don't die corner').

Makes it sound more dangerous than it really is, it's a fun drive and no more dangerous than other roads in Thailand so long as you consider that at any point someone may be oncoming in your lane, and you shouldn't be going so quick that you couldn't get out of the way by moving far left if they are.

In answer to the OP though, no personally the 4 does not feel like the faster route, and certainly less fun.