Navigating from Bangkok to Hua Hin Without Utilizing Rama II Road: A Step-by-Step Guide
Avoiding the Perilous Journey: Navigating Rama II Road
For many, the trip from Bangkok to picturesque destinations like Hua Hin is riddled with apprehension due to the notorious Rama II Road - a chaotic and accident-plagued superhighway. Overwhelmed drivers have even forsaken Hua Hin as a weekend retreat, crippling the hearts of businesses in the popular beach resort town, 200km south of the capital.
Between 2018 and 2024, an alarming 2,245 accidents have occurred on Rama II Road, claiming the lives of 136 and leaving 1,320 injured. The seemingly constant construction on this highway serves as a relentless storm, causing drivers to seek detours to avoid this accident-prone territory.
To ensure a less harrowing adventure, whether leaving Bangkok or arriving from the South, here are two alternative routes:
1. Outbound from Bangkok: Drag your feet away from Rama II Road by taking Borommaratchachonnani Road (Highway 338) and connecting with Phetkasem Road (Highway 4). This route serpentines through Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi provinces before rejoining the southern route at the Wang Manao Intersection, skirting the most accident-prone section of Rama II Road. However, be warned, this detour tacks on approximately 125km to your journey.
2. Inbound toward Bangkok: Vehicles returning from the South can follow Phetkasem Road, passing through Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom, provided you have the necessary time.
- If you begin your journey in Samut Songkhram or Bang Thorat, veer off onto Highway 375, cruising through Ban Phaeo district, and into Nakhon Pathom, merging onto Phetkasem Road before hopping back onto Borommaratchachonnani Road to reach Bangkok.
- For travelers from Mahachai-Samut Sakhon, an alternate route involves embarking on Setthakit Road, then Phutthasakhon Road, followed by Phutthamonthon Sai 4 and, finally, Borommaratchachonnani Road to make it back to Bangkok.
To stay updated on the latest travel information and seek guidance on your route, contact the Department of Highways hotline at 1586 (toll-free, 24/7).
Want more ways to dodge the treacherous Rama II Road? Here's an added bonus:
- Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road) via Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi: Need a lengthier but safer route? Drivers can eschew Rama II Road in favor of Highway 4, bypassing the dangerous stretch by traveling south from Samut Songkhram province to Phetchaburi before reaching Hua Hin.
- Highway 35 (Thonburi-Pak Tho Road) combined with local roads: To avoid the heavy traffic and hotspots on Rama II, some drivers opt for Highway 35, which runs parallel on the eastern side, followed by a series of local roads leading all the way to Hua Hin.
- Expressway and Motorway combination: By employing Bangkok's expressways for a southern migration, then linking up with Motorway 4 (Motorway to Chumphon), travelers can access an alternate, generally safer route.
Authorities and travel advisories have singled out Rama II Road as a perilous zone for traffic accidents, given the staggering number of accidents (2,245) and fatalities (136) recorded between 2018 and 2024[1][2][3]. By opting for these alternative routes, travelers stand a better chance of dodging the risks that come with the accident-prone stretch on Rama II Road while still maintaining relatively swift travel times between Bangkok and Hua Hin. Stay safe on the roads!
In an effort to escape the accident-prone area of Rama II Road, some travelers may choose to embark on Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road), veering off from Samut Songkhram province and passing through Phetchaburi to eventually reach Hua Hin, thus avoiding the perilous section of the superhighway. Alternatively, for those seeking a different route, they could opt for Highway 35 (Thonburi-Pak Tho Road) combined with local roads, bypassing the heavy traffic and hotspots on Rama II Road leading to Hua Hin.
