Road Trip. Phuket-Hua Hin-Phuket

[russfair]

Hi All
Girlfriend and I are looking at driving to Hua Hin in one day picking up my mum staying for a few days and then taking one or two overnight stops on the drive back.

What is the quickest route there? And what would be a good route on the way back, something a bit scenic, was thinking of a stop somewhere like the hot springs in Ranong on the way back.
Have not been up that way yet but will be going over to Samui and Krabi in the next few weeks, so would like to stop somewhere else on this trip

Thanks
Russ

[LivinLOS]

Go Phang Nga to Surat way not Ranong.. The Surat Road is far better.. I also skip the first Surat turning (415 ??) and go further on to the new 44.. Ruler straight dual carriageway and usually empty.

After that your just going north on one road (4 ??) and its easy..

Hua Hin is a nice drive 6 - 7 hours if your a hard driver with a boot on the floor, 8 - 9 for a normal driver without stops for more than refuelling..

[russfair]

Cheers, lil. Hopefully her indoors falls asleep so I can get the foot to the floor, always tells me to slow down on the motorbike, I dont get to drive a car very often so it should be a good day.
Russ

[K2]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Go Phang Nga to Surat way not Ranong.. The Surat Road is far better.. I also skip the first Surat turning (415 ??) and go further on to the new 44.. Ruler straight dual carriageway and usually empty.

Highway 44 is the best road in Thailand - keep heading towards Krabi (Highway 4) and you'll see the sign to Suratthani/Samui. The highway past Surratthani is pretty boring IMO (as is Hua Hin) but worth a trip.

On the way back you might like to try taking Route 401 to Baan Ta Khun (heading towards Takua Pa) and then through the Khao Sok National Park which is quite stunning. You pick up Highway 4 at Takua Pa and Khao Lak which is also worth taking a look at on the way back south to Phuket.

Don't forget to take some good music and expect your TG to sleep the whole time your on the road .

[bigphil30uk]

Some sights enroute when we took the drive north. "Big Chicken" seen somewhere near Cumpon. Pick up has monkey on top used to pick coconuts I believe.