Driving Hua Hin - Rayong return

[Hahuahin]

Allow me to ask if anyone know if there have been any changes or upgrades the last 10 years, i.e. easier route to get through Bangkok when heading down to the East cost?
Thank you
hahuahin

[HHTel]

If you use google maps, they'll give you a route that bypasses BKK altogether. Same route to the airport then on from there expressway towards Pattaya then Rayong.

Did it a couple of years ago when I decided to go to Koh Samet.

[Hahuahin]

Thanks for replying. I guess I better had asked how to avoid ending up stuck in Bangkok when destination is Rayong / Ban Chang. Many moons ago they was talking about making a road linked to the East cost with a bridge so people coming from the South could totally avoid Bangkok when heading down towards the East Cost but that have clearly not materialized.
hahuahin


https://www.google.co.th/maps/dir/Hua+H ... 2408?hl=en

[Nereus]

Thanks for replying. I guess I better had asked how to avoid ending up stuck in Bangkok when destination is Rayong / Ban Chang. Many moons ago they was talking about making a road linked to the East cost with a bridge so people coming from the South could totally avoid Bangkok when heading down towards the East Cost but that have clearly not materialized.
hahuahin :

As posted, you don’t need to go anywhere near Bangkok.

Rama 2 - hwy 35 from Hua Hin

Big interchange at Bang Khun Thian to hwy 9 east, just follow the airport signs.

Interchange at Prawet to hwy 7 east, follow the airport signs and go past it.

Stay on hwy 7 all the way to where it joins hwy 3. There is a big new extension to hwy 7 that takes you within spitting distance of Ban Chang, or the coast.

[KhunLA]

On that same map, click the opposite direction icon, for return trip, and you see it using hwy 9, which by-passes downtown. Google picks the 'quickest' at the time searching, which can easily change enroute. Or you can adjust what roads to use yourself. Going to Rayong, may be a few minutes faster by suggested route, and switch it to hwy 9, may add only a few minutes, but makes for a more comfortable, possibly less congestion and stop & go driving.

I would definitely take hwy 9, unless the difference was more than 30 minutes. Simply less congested traffic, less chance of an out of town oops.

[HHTel]

Thanks for replying. I guess I better had asked how to avoid ending up stuck in Bangkok when destination is Rayong / Ban Chang. Many moons ago they was talking about making a road linked to the East cost with a bridge so people coming from the South could totally avoid Bangkok when heading down towards the East Cost but that have clearly not materialized.
hahuahin :

That was cancelled way back in 2005 by the old king on concerns of the soft sea bed and the depth required by supports would release mercury into the gulf killing the wildlife. Another project that was never thought through.

[Hahuahin]

Thanks for replying. I guess I better had asked how to avoid ending up stuck in Bangkok when destination is Rayong / Ban Chang. Many moons ago they was talking about making a road linked to the East cost with a bridge so people coming from the South could totally avoid Bangkok when heading down towards the East Cost but that have clearly not materialized.
hahuahin :

As posted, you don’t need to go anywhere near Bangkok.

Rama 2 - hwy 35 from Hua Hin

Big interchange at Bang Khun Thian to hwy 9 east, just follow the airport signs.

Interchange at Prawet to hwy 7 east, follow the airport signs and go past it.

Stay on hwy 7 all the way to where it joins hwy 3. There is a big new extension to hwy 7 that takes you within spitting distance of Ban Chang, or the coast.

Great, will take a picture of this and keep in car.
Thank you
hahuahin

[Hahuahin]

Thanks for replying. I guess I better had asked how to avoid ending up stuck in Bangkok when destination is Rayong / Ban Chang. Many moons ago they was talking about making a road linked to the East cost with a bridge so people coming from the South could totally avoid Bangkok when heading down towards the East Cost but that have clearly not materialized.
hahuahin :

That was cancelled way back in 2005 by the old king on concerns of the soft sea bed and the depth required by supports would release mercury into the gulf killing the wildlife. Another project that was never thought through.

That can fit in with last trip down there which I think was around that time.
hahuahin