Driving Pattaya to Udon Thani - some advice please

[dsfbrit]

In 2 weeks time I am thinking of driving to Udon Thani. I have seen the distance involved and know that when my Thai friends go there it takes about 12 hours on the bus. I know I could fly there, but I fancied trying something different. So could anyone who has done this drive tell me what I should expect. 

 

For example, how long it would take?, is it a pleasant or miserable drive with lots of slow roads and lorries? Would it be a good idea to stop off on the way overnight at Khon Kaen (say). 

 

Thanks very much for your help.

Edited August 9, 2014 by metisdead
Oversize font reset to normal.

[cooked]

Mostly a good road especially the last bit. A bit long for one day, You can think about staying in Ratachasima but there are plenty of resorts along the way.

[chuckd]

I used to drive regularly from Pattaya to my home between Nong Bua Lamphu and Loei.

 

The longest time it took was a little over 12 hours but I had car trouble that trip.  The shortest time was a little less than 8 hours.

 

It should take about one hour less to go straight to Udorn since I have to cut off the Khon Kaen highway 23 kilometers outside KK and hit two lane roads for the last 128 kilometers.

 

The distance between my two homes is exactly 661 kilometers.

 

It's an easy one day drive.

[khwaibah]

Mostly a good road especially the last bit. A bit long for one day, You can think about staying in Ratachasima but there are plenty of resorts along the way.

 

Approximately 600 km and YES it is drivable  in about 10 hours. All things considered excellent roads for Thailand. Most of your trip will be on duel lain motorways. If you want to stop for the night do. I drive up to 1000km in 12 to 14 hour days.

[cooked]

 

Mostly a good road especially the last bit. A bit long for one day, You can think about staying in Ratachasima but there are plenty of resorts along the way.

 

Approximately 600 km and YES it is drivable  in about 10 hours. All things considered excellent roads for Thailand. Most of your trip will be on duel lain motorways. If you want to stop for the night do. I drive up to 1000km in 12 to 14 hour days.

 

Well yes, I can do that also and have done recently. However 14 hours of driving isn't fun and after about 8 hours you are on longer concentrating as you should be . Wife and kids? If I look round and see them beside me then the idea of 14 hours driving doesn't seem like a good idea. 

 

[khwaibah]

 

 

Mostly a good road especially the last bit. A bit long for one day, You can think about staying in Ratachasima but there are plenty of resorts along the way.

 

Approximately 600 km and YES it is drivable  in about 10 hours. All things considered excellent roads for Thailand. Most of your trip will be on duel lain motorways. If you want to stop for the night do. I drive up to 1000km in 12 to 14 hour days.

 

Well yes, I can do that also and have done recently. However 14 hours of driving isn't fun and after about 8 hours you are on longer concentrating as you should be . Wife and kids? If I look round and see them beside me then the idea of 14 hours driving doesn't seem like a good idea. 

 

 

No kids and the wife drives so I guess I have the advantage. 

[KhunBENQ]

I drove multiple times from Pattaya to my place near Chum Phae (Khon Kaen province).

About 560 km on the shortest route with long two lane parts, 7h to 8h.

To Khon Kaen it should be less than 7h.

All without excessive speeding, but no long breaks.

Khon Kaen to Udon: guess about 1.5 h?

Definitely doable in 10h or less.

 

The route from Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) to Udon Thani is clear and easy: follow route #2 (Mitraphap highway), four lane and mostly in good condition.

 

From Pattaya to Korat: mainly two alternatives:

1) via 331 and 304 through Khao Yai, the short route

2) motorways #7, #9, highway #1 and then onto #2. longer with tollroads.

 

If you like a scenic view in Khao Yai national park and don't shy away from a short steep uphill part go for 1).

If you prefer the full 4 lane route without any challenges go for 2).

 

The uphill/downhill part on 1) is somewhat dangerous as you are driving with some of the most unexperienced drivers with no idea how to go over a hill. Lots of creeping trucks and busses. In total there is about 20 km of two lane road. 6 km of a steep curvy hill.

For me having driven many major passes in the Swiss alps its a joke, but for Thais a big challenge.

Route 331 northbound is quite OK, some potholes here and there. Southbound it is a mess, Have to use the right lane most of the time.

 

Most important is the right date. Keep an eye on the calender for any long weekends, holidays.

Otherwise the drive develops into a nightmare. You learn the worst of jam and ruthless behaviour on Thai roads.

Time: start as early as possible. Avoid to drive in the dark.

Edited August 9, 2014 by KhunBENQ

[KhunBENQ]

Route 1) on Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/w8VYI

(the way from Pattaya to road 331 is a bit tricky to find, but definitely the best)

 

Route 2) on Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/y8iXf

(don't miss the Saraburi bypass)

Edited August 9, 2014 by KhunBENQ

[dsfbrit]

Cooked, Chuckd, Khwaibah, KhunBenq thanks very much for the great feedback. I am going to spend the morning thinking about what you have written and looking at those Google Maps links. Thanks again.

[DJH77]

Route 1) on Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/w8VYI

(the way from Pattaya to road 331 is a bit tricky to find, but definitely the best)

 

Route 2) on Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/y8iXf

(don't miss the Saraburi bypass)

   The easy way to 331. Drive from Pattaya towards Rayong and turn left to go to Phoenix Golf Course. When you get to Phoenix just keep going until you get to the T intersection at the end of the road, not far. Then turn left and you are on your way. 331,304 and onto highway 2 to Udon. Very simple and should take less that 9 hours, closer to 8 i think. I go this way to Mukdahan but have to turn off Highway 2 onto 207 to cut across country to Muk, it takes me about 7.5 hours to Mukdahan but to Udon is easier as it is straight up Highway 2.

[Issangeorge]

Anywhere I drive in Thailand I figure an average speed of about 70klicks, so 600klicks would be about 9 hours, but if it is four lane all the way less.

[GinBoy2]

Yes you can drive, and the road is fairly good most of the way. That being said it's hugely variable in terms of traffic. The portion out of Saraburi up the hill can be a nightmare, and Korat isn't much better if traffic isn't playing nice. Last time I drove which was a huge mistake on my part, was after I had made a trip to the US for Christmas last year. Got back on Dec 31st. It took me over 14 hours, 2 hours just from Swampy to Bang Pa In

 

I live outside Khon Kaen and have given up on the whole concept of driving to Bangkok now flights are so cheap. Give me a guaranteed 60mins on a plane for 800฿ anyday

[mackayae]

Route 1) on Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/w8VYI
(the way from Pattaya to road 331 is a bit tricky to find, but definitely the best)
 
Route 2) on Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/y8iXf
(don't miss the Saraburi bypass)

I always take the Route 1 shown above, except I take the Khon Kaen Ring Road (west side) rather than go through the city. Edited August 10, 2014 by mackayae

[JesseFrank]

Done it several times in under 7 hours, using road 331 and 304 then highway 2. I usually start shortly after midnight so I pass korat and Khonkaen before the morning traffic is on.

[KhunBENQ]

I always take the Route 1 shown above, except I take the Khon Kaen Ring Road (west side) rather than go through the city.

 

Good advise. Can save you some time at the traffic lights/intersections in Khon Kaen.

Traffic in Khon Kaen is becoming worse every year.

Edited August 10, 2014 by KhunBENQ

[Norlund]

I live in Maha Sarakham and I've been driving to Pattaya a "couple of times". And "one or two times" to Udon Thani and Nong Khai. 

 

From Pattaya to Kabinburi and the mountains there is a dual lane motorway. When you come to the mountains the road is in some few parts only a single lane road. Those parts can't be more than 10 km. all together. But the road is wide and the road standard is good so there is no problem passing slow going trucks. After the mountains the road is a dual lane motorway to Korat. The distance from Pattaya to Korat passing Kabinburi it's about 320 km. 

 

The rest of the way shouldn't be a problem. Highway from Korat to Udon Thani. If you need a stopover the mountains, 80 km. before Korat, is the right place. It's very beautiful up there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2014 by Norlund

[dsfbrit]

Thanks very much for the advice from you all. I think I will take the route 2 down the motorway. I intend to set off at 5 am, so should make it by 2 pm and that includes an hours sleep in the car if I am tired. Thanks again to you all. 

[chuckd]

Come up one way and go back the other route.  You'll see more of the country and can make up your mind which is the best way to travel.

 

Give us a report.

 

 

 

PS:  There are by-passes around Korat and Khon Kaen.  No need to go through the city center and get caught in all the traffic.

 

For your driving pleasure, Korat is known on the road signs as Nakhon Ratchasima.

[khwaibah]

Just my opinion and we all know what opinions are..  The section on highway 2 from Saraburt to the 24 split commonly referred to as the Sarabury Grade 100 km of dull carriageway. I do everything I can to avoid it like the plaque. Sometimes you can't.  Most the time it makes Los Angles rush hour traffic look pleasant.  To me that has to be the worst traffic jam parking lot and scrap lot in Thailand. Hit that section at the wrong time and it can be 3 to 4 hours to do that 100 km

[elliss]

 

I always take the Route 1 shown above, except I take the Khon Kaen Ring Road (west side) rather than go through the city.

 

Good advise. Can save you some time at the traffic lights/intersections in Khon Kaen.

Traffic in Khon Kaen is becoming worse every year.

 

 

          Khon Khan  ,  I  was there  recently ,  the  traffic  situation is  a  nightmare ,

                                  it will be a cold day in hell ,  before I return to  KK .