Road trips in Thailand are one of the most fun and liberating ways to travel, thanks to Thailand's excellent roads, diverse scenery including mountains, beaches, rice fields, and local culture. This remains a popular trend in 2026, especially for northern and coastal routes. Here are some of the most popular and recommended routes for this time of year, complete with beautiful photos to give you a clearer picture!
1. The Classic Northern Route: Chiang Mai → Pai → Mae Hong Son (Mae Hong Son Loop) Approximately 600-700 km (round trip) / 3-5 days
Highlights: 1,864 curves, stunning mountain views, pine forests, fog, sea of fog, and hill tribe communities.
2026 Highlight: Excellent weather during November-February. 1. Perfect! There are so many new cafes and homestays popping up along this romantic and beautifully winding northern road.
2. Andaman Coast Drive: For example, Phuket → Krabi → Trang or Ratsada → Ranong
Distance: Approximately 300-500 km / Time: 3-4 days
Highlights: Coastal road, beautiful bay views, quiet beaches, sunset viewing spots. World-class clear seas along the Andaman coast – a truly enjoyable drive, with ocean views all the way.
3. Central-Western Thailand Nature Route: Kanchanaburi → Srinakarin Dam → Uthai Thani. Approximately 350-450 km / 2-4 days.
Highlights: Bridge over the River Kwai, Erawan Waterfall, Tham Krasae Cave, lush green rice fields, beautiful forest temples.
Tips for Driving in Thailand (Updated 2026): Important Traffic Laws: No phone use while driving (fines up to 4,000 baht), absolutely no drunk driving, everyone wears a seatbelt, normal highway speed limit 90-110 km/h, expressway speed limit 100-120 km/h.
Fuel & Costs: Gasoline/diesel approximately 35-42 baht/liter (varying depending on the season), regular cars consume about 12-18 km/liter → Roughly calculated, 1,000 km will cost around 2,000-3,500 baht in fuel.
Expressways: M-Pass/Easy Pass is very convenient and helps reduce cash verification time.
Recommended vehicle: SUV/Pickup/fuel-efficient eco-car. If driving in the north, use low gear and good suspension because there are many steep curves.
Best time to visit: November-February (cool and comfortable weather) or March-April (the north is not too hot yet).
List of campsites where you can park your car and set up camp. https://www.hotels.in.th/2026/01/campsiteinthailand.html