Driving from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani

Question

I will be joining friends on a 'road trip' in September 2008 and plan on driving from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani - then onto Vientiane in Laos. I have been looking at maps of Thailand and there doesn't seem to be a direct route to Udon. Can anyone tell me what the drive is like and how long the drive is because I don't fancy spending all of my vacation in a car!

Answer 1

I did it once and didn't really enjoy it. The road goes through the mountains and is really curvy. The trip takes about 10 hours.

If I had it to do over I would take the cheap flight, but I tend to get car sick on curvy roads.

Answer 2

The distance is approx. 560 km. (335 miles) there are buses that travel between these cities. cost approx 500B one way (12 hours).  It is a 1hr20min flight with nok air.  As far as I know they are the only airline that flys direct between Chiang-Mai and Udothani.Go to http://www.nokair.com/NokConnext/aspx/We...  for prices.  You can also get a plane into Vientiane on Laos Air formerly Air America.

http://www.laos-airlines.com/pass.asp?pr...

Driving will be about 8 hours. There is not a direct route.  You have to go though Phitsanu lok  See the map below.  Yeah 8 hours would be hauling butt.  Its actually a very interesting trip,lots of scenery and temples (Wats) along the way.

Answer 3

Driving 8 hours anywhere in Thailand is a pleasure to me because something new to see at every turn in the road. Plus all the different places you can stop along the way. If you have to cannonball it 8 straight hours in a hurry would probably not be so cool.