I will be having guest arriving later this week and one request from them is to drive to Ao Nang for a few days.   I tried searching this forum on the topic but didn't get any results.  So, my question is have any people recently done the drive?   If so, are they any roads to avoid due to construction, etc?   Also, how long can a person realistically expect the trip to take?

 

Thanks!

I've driven this many times. Follow this route takes about 8 hours not including break for food or Gas.  Gas stations about every 25-40 Kms except when you get to Hwy 44.  It's been over sa year so the may have gas stations there now. Expect to find construction along the way in some places, typical through out Thailand.  Beware of unannounced Check points along the way. Only a couple of cities do you actually need to drive through. Most is divided two lanes. Hwy 44 was the nicest part of the drive.  ***don't follow Garmin GPS. They put you on the side of the road.

 

https://www.google.co.th/maps/dir/Hua+Hin,+Hua+Hin+District,+Prachuap+Khiri+Khan/Krabi/@9.0091383,98.8359402,10z/data=!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x30fdaaf400997211:0x40223bc2c381260!2m2!1d99.9576888!2d12.5683747!1m5!1m1!1s0x30518d792d7f9309:0x10223bc2c364c90!2m2!1d98.9062835!2d8.0862997?hl=en

Mrjlj,

Thanks for your prompt and valuable response.  I will heed your suggestion and check out the links you provided.

 

dj

After driving on the wretched Highway 4 (you have no choice) from Hua Hin past Chumphon I turn off on the 4006 to Ranong then down to Krabi Via Khao Lak.

 

The road is not busy and is far easier to drive with much better scenery. It can take a little longer but is much less stressful than fighting with the overloaded trucks and tour buses on Highway 4, which is in a bad state of repair south of Chumphon.

As above... Highway 4 does always have road works going on, south of Chumphon but they are making progress slowly !!!

Ranong route is much more enjoyable if time permits.

Highway 44 now has lots more service stations and cafe stops, compared with just a year ago. I drive this road a lot, it's straight and boring but good to drive if time constraints apply.

 

As with any road trip in Thailand, take special care and expect the most stupid things to happen. Bon voyage

Thanks, all.   Time restraints going to Ao Nang.  Maybe do the  hiway 44 on the trip down and the Ranong route on the return.  Get a good comparison that way.

Thank you-Any Hotels that you would recommend at Hua Hin & Krabi?