North Thailand: A 5-Day Road Trip Adventure

I spent a month and a half exploring North Thailand, and it's truly a region with some of the best views the country has to offer. In Northern Thailand, you'll find massive mountains, lush green rice fields, and the chance to fully immerse yourself in Thai culture, watching locals go about their daily lives.

I discovered that a road trip is the best way to get off the beaten track and experience everything this area has to offer. On my 5-day journey, I encountered unforgettable sights I’ll always remember.

I’ve put together a complete 5-day road trip itinerary, including the places we visited, stops along the way, driving times, and restaurants we enjoyed. At the end, you’ll find a breakdown of the total cost of our 5-day adventure.

Day 1: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

Our adventure began in Chiang Mai, where we stayed for two weeks. Isaac arranged a hire car from Chiang Mai Wheels. The process was seamless—they provided a drop-off and pick-up service with a 5000tbh deposit.

I highly recommend this company; they even gave us a free upgrade!

Our Stop on Route:

We made one stop on our way to Chiang Rai—the famous Sticky Waterfalls. This was a fantastic break in the drive and a fun, free activity. You can walk up the waterfall, which, as the name suggests, is sticky enough to allow you to do so!

Things to Do in Chiang Rai:

• Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

• Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)

• Visit the Clock Tower

• Walk along the Kok River

• Eat amazing Northern Thai food

Total Drive Time:

• 4 hrs 30 mins with the stop  

• 3 hrs 15 mins without a stop

Other Optional Stops:

• Khan Korn Waterfall

• Explore Khun Chae National Park

Day 2-3: Chiang Rai to Phayao

We stayed in Chiang Rai for two nights, spending our full day there sightseeing and exploring. Chiang Rai was wonderful, and we wished we had more time to stay longer.

Our Stop on Route:

We left Chiang Rai early to catch the sunrise at Phu Chi Fa. Unfortunately, after a long and tedious drive, we found it closed, (please note it is closed in July and August). While this was disappointing, we made the best of it and still enjoyed breathtaking mountain views nearby.

If you plan to visit, consider staying overnight in the area, as the early start was exhausting. Note that the route requires a good car and isn’t suitable for bikes due to rough and STEEP road conditions.

Things to Do in Phayao:

• Take a walk around the Reservoir

• Visit Phayao Walking Street

• Go for a scenic drive

Total Drive Time:

• 3 hrs 55 mins with the stop  

• 1 hr 30 mins without a stop

Other Optional Stops:

• Phu Lang Forest Park

• Phu Sang National Park

Day 4: Phayao to Lampang

We spent one night each in Phayao and Lampang. While Lampang has more to do, Phayao was a good stop to break up the drive and explore the nearby national parks.

In Phayao, we had an amazing meal at Haru Korean Chicken—a restaurant serving incredible Korean food.

Our Stop on Route:

On our way from Phayao to Lampang, we visited Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat (Wat Phra Phutthabat Sutthawat). The entrance fee was 490 THB per person, including a 4x4 transfer service up the steep mountain. From there, it’s a 30-minute walk up stairs to the temple, with plenty of scenic stop points along the way.

Things to Do in Lampang:

• Graffiti Street

• Pottery Museum

• Horse and Cart Ride

• Visit Local Markets

• Enjoy Nice Coffee Shops

Total Drive Time:

• 3 hrs 10 mins with the stop  

• 2 hrs 10 mins without a stop

Other Optional Stops:

• Doi Phu Nang National Park

Day 5: Lampang to Chiang Mai

From Lampang, we headed back to Chiang Mai, where we were based. This drive is mostly motorway, and we didn’t make any stops as we were feeling unwell. However, there are several interesting places to see along the way.

Before leaving Lampang we ate at Ma Kong Ta Egg Noodle Restaurant. We had the best wonton noodle soup I have ever had in my life, no exaggiration. 

Optional Stops on the Way Back:

• Thai Elephant Conservation Center

• Doi Inthanon (the highest peak in Thailand)

Total Drive Time: 

• 1 hr 30 mins without a stop

Cost Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of our costs for this road trip to help you budget if you plan to do it yourself. The prices listed are a rough guide of what we spent for 4N5D, for two people.

• Accommodation: £66

• Food: £125 

• Car & Fuel Costs: £215

• Activities: £30

• Total: £436