trip to chiangmai with a car easy route

Post by **ruktur** » April 19, 2013, 2:29 am

(I already ask this in a other topic but still I don't know)
Hi Guys,

In the month may I want to drive from Udon to Chiang Mai and want to do a easy trip with 2 childeren (3 and 7 years) and a old lady. We want to stay for 3 nights in CM. Thinking about rent a car by the company lekcarrentaludonthani.com for 20 days.

Somebody have nice ideas about hotels/restaurants for the trip and what is the nicest trip to make (also think about the childeren)? Also got experience with rent a car with lekcarrental?

Somebody also nows a good hotel for 14 days to stay in UD, we have one I forget the name but it is only for 300 baht 100 meters from Tesco Lotus many local Thai (bussiness) stay there.

Many thanks in advance,

Tommy

Post by **Allen A Hale** » April 19, 2013, 8:52 am

I just drove it two weeks ago - my favorite route, which is not the shortest but in my mind is the easiest, is Highway 2 to Kohn Kaen, Highway 12 towards Phitsanulok, Get on Highway 11 at Dong Pradok to Uttaradit, Highway 11 towards Den Chai, Lampang, and eventually to Chiang Mai. For some reason the trip in reverse was much quicker and easier for us using the same route- I am convinced that the signs are better in the reverse direction. With children, I would plan on 12 hours to Chiang Mai and be happy and surprised if you make it in less time. Pushing it we made it back in 8 hours.

Post by JR » April 19, 2013, 6:20 pm

I have not driven to CM so cannot help you there but I did use Lek on several occasions before I got my own wheels here and there were never any problems. I got a tire sliced on something once and she did not make any comment on that.

Post by **Jed** » April 19, 2013, 6:44 pm

When motivated, we take the route Allen mentioned above; very scenic, and shorter than the other route.

Which is to go over the mountains from Chumpae to Phitsanulok, and overnight there; P-lok is a nice town, and there's some nice dining along the river, walkable from the major hotels. (Don't even think about Chumpae.)

The road over the mountains can be a pain if you get behind some slow trucks, but there are frequent towns to stop in on the way also, as well as some nice resorts on that road, if you prefer something a little more rustic than a standard city hotel.

You might consider going that way, and returning via Uttaradit, then stop at Queen S Dam for a nice lunch on the way. Indeed it is a much nicer route, but if you don't want to push it, make it a 2-day trip as described above.

Post by **Stevo** » April 19, 2013, 7:26 pm

I've only done that trip by motorcycle, but both routes were enjoyable... Allen & Jed have it covered.
I haven't rented a car for some years now but when I used to, I would only use Lek's... not just because they have the best insurance (Fully comprehensive cover), but also because their service is second to none... they are the best in Udon IMHO.

Post by **ruktur** » April 22, 2013, 3:35 am

I thinking about planning the trip with 2 overnights going to Chiangmai and 1 or 2 novernights back but I like to not drive the same route back. So really take it easy and make it a 2-3 day trip!

I thinking about the route Allen and Jed mentioned already UD > KK > overnight at Phitsanulok (nice hotel??) > Uttaradit > Lampang > CM.
Return CM > Phayao (dinner at the lake) > Chiag Khan > from there along the Mekhong to Chiang Khan > Nong Khai > UD. With 2 or 3 overnights is this possible? I thought I can remember from 10 years ago Chiang Khan > UD takes me 6 hours?

Maybe better take the normal route back? Normally I just do it but now I have the family of my wife with me!

Already thanks for the replys I already got,

Tommy

Post by **bluejets** » April 22, 2013, 5:44 am

If you go down through Nong Bau lamphu, Si Bunreaung, Si Chomphu, to Chum Phae and then across it will cut out some travelling by not having to go to Khon Kaen first.
3 days is pretty full on driving and if you can cut it down a bit I think it would be better, especially if you have kids there.
There are slow sections as mentioned above because of traffic so that would have to be taken into account.
When we did the trip back in 2010, the driver wanted to do something like 8 hours driving each day but we insisted on stopping by about 3pm each day in time to get a look around and take it easy.
The driving time mentioned was to venues along the way also. Many things to see, could get a bit hot this time of year though. Then again, December in Chaing Mai mountain areas is flamin' cold.
Don't forget to put the "white temple" on you list of things to see up near Chaing Mai, truely magnificent.

Post by **WBU ALUM** » April 22, 2013, 6:24 am

Recently had a great stay in Chiang Mai at Hotel M Chiang Mai.

It's across the street from "The Gate" and close to everything. Enjoyed the hotel and the location very much.

http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/chia ... XG4w%3d%3d

Good luck on your trip. I absolutely hate the two-lane highways and the six year-olds driving pickup trucks who are willing to risk death to pass anytime and anywhere.

Post by **nkstan** » April 22, 2013, 10:15 am

trip to chiangmai with a car easy route
by bluejets » April 22, 2013, 5:44 am

''If you go down through Nong Bau lamphu, Si Bunreaung, Si Chomphu, to Chum Phae and then across it will cut out some travelling by not having to go to Khon Kaen first.''

I have driven to Chiang Mai several times!This route suggested is by far the best!