Is it a few Km's too far?

[sierra01]

I'll be leaving Lampang 21 December to drive to Surin, is it feasible to do it in a day or not? I do have a night booked in a hotel in Chainat, which I can easily cancel. It seems the easiest route with the best roads is road No1 from Lampang, it changes to AH1 and 2, from Saraburi its the 2 then the 24 then the 214 into Surin. Any help, advice or suggestions gratefully appreciated.

[Crossy]

Car or bike?

Alone or with company?

It's just shy of 800km, I did Bangkok - Chiang Rai in one day by car no problem, slightly shorter at 780km and a more direct route.

Early start and ensure regular rest stops, but if 10 hours driving is too much for you, break the trip obviously.

[craigt3365]

Also depends on your stamina. Back home, I could easily drive 10 hours a day...or more. Nice highways. No farm tractors on the roads, no scooters, no maniac bus drivers, no cows, no huge potholes, etc, etc. 55555

Here, I'm worn out after 8 hours. Unless you are really in a hurry, take your time. And I really don't like driving after dark here. So I'm done before sunset. Part of your route will be on smaller roads, not major highways.

We'll let this run here for a bit and them maybe move it over to the Issan forum for more answers. Have a great trip and when you are done, please post back how it went!

[moojar]

Also depends on your stamina. Back home, I could easily drive 10 hours a day...or more. Nice highways. No farm tractors on the roads, no scooters, no maniac bus drivers, no cows, no huge potholes, etc, etc. 55555

Here, I'm worn out after 8 hours. Unless you are really in a hurry, take your time. And I really don't like driving after dark here. So I'm done before sunset. Part of your route will be on smaller roads, not major highways.

We'll let this run here for a bit and them maybe move it over to the Issan forum for more answers. Have a great trip and when you are done, please post back how it went!

Yeah, I agree with that - driving in Thailand requires intense, constant concentration. And I find that a lot more tiring than driving back home.

My strategy is to drive more slowly - usually 80 km/h even on the "motorways". Takes longer of course, but a lot less stressful.

[wayned]

As said it all depends on you. I used to drive round trip from my home in Nakhon Sawan to Samui once or twice a month, 995 kilometers one way to/from the ferry. I never stopped except for gas. I always drove at night going down to catch the first ferry to Samui and day on the way back, also the first ferry.from Samui.

If I were doing your trip I would not go all the way down and then back through Saraburi. I would get off AH1 at Highway 1, the Chainat Exit, turn left towards Takhli, Takfa and Lopburi. I would then take back roads turning left at Khok Samrong and intersect with highway 2 at Pak Chang and then turn right on Highway 24 in Sikhiu, but I know the roads as I live in Takfa and used to work in Pak Chang commuting back and forth each week.

[phuketrichard]

800 kms with gas/food stops, wrong turn or two in Thailand

10-12 hours

I try an limit my trips to max 10 hours or less

[ChaangNoi]

I did CR to Surin in one day (and then back a week later) by myself in a car with no issue. Not the longest trip I have done however. Did a 30 hour run in the USA a few years back. Really just depends on the driver and how much red bull one is willing to drink

[khwaibah]

I drive Chiang Mai Kap Choeng 60 km south of Surin every 3 to 4 months 988 km do it in 12 to 14 hours. Very seldom have spent the night on the road when making this trip. Up to the OP. Have a great and safe trip. BTW just finished a 2300 km trip from KC to CNX and back 13 hours up, Came back by Udon and Roi Et spent two nights visiting friends. The wife drove 95 % , she said I have fun. I loved it.

OP your route is basically the route we take, there are others. Chainat has a great bird farm and a fantastic aquarium well worth the stop. As you start east on the 24 beware of the sugar cain trucks they are starting up and watch out on your speed as the radar traps on the 24 are aplenty.

[sierra01]

I'll be in a car and alone, and I don't mind a long day, so I think I'll have a go at it and see how it goes. If I feel I'm getting too tired then I'll find somewhere to stop for the night. As for the route, I'll keep it simple, even though I'll have satnav, stay on the AH, turn off at Singburi for Lopburi, down the 1 to the 362, to the 2 and onwards.

I arrive at Suvarnabhumi around midday 17 December, pick up the hire car, then a reasonable hop to Chainat. I think that's enough after a long flight.

[Gonsalviz]

I'll be in a car and alone, and I don't mind a long day, so I think I'll have a go at it and see how it goes. If I feel I'm getting too tired then I'll find somewhere to stop for the night. As for the route, I'll keep it simple, even though I'll have satnav, stay on the AH, turn off at Singburi for Lopburi, down the 1 to the 362, to the 2 and onwards.

I arrive at Suvarnabhumi around midday 17 December, pick up the hire car, then a reasonable hop to Chainat. I think that's enough after a long flight.

Why go so far west on 1. Better to take 11 to Phitsanoluk. 12 is under construction east of there but you can take 11 south of Phitsanoluk to 225 east to Chaiyaphum then just noth of Chaiaphum take 202 east to 214 then south to Surin. I have been on all of these roads except 225 and they are good. Not dual lane but they are good.

Google maps says 10 hrs 30 min. These times are fairly accurate.