Uttaradit–Phrae 3 Days
Quiet Lower Northern Thailand

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Uttaradit and Phrae are a pair of lower-northern towns linked by Highway 11 through Den Chai district. From downtown Uttaradit to downtown Phrae is about 60 kilometers, just over an hour's drive, with most of the road being four lanes and an easy cruise, so pairing them into a single trip fits together nicely. This plan starts with two days in Uttaradit, then flows down to Phrae on the last day, letting you cover everything without backtracking.

Who this trip is for

• People with their own car — public transport within these two towns is sparse, so having your own wheels is by far the easiest, since many of the sights sit outside the town center.
• Slow travelers — both are secondary provinces with no crowds, so you can stroll and take photos at your own pace without fighting for a spot.
• Fans of old towns and local food — Laplae and Phrae's old town have local dishes that are hard to find anywhere else.
• Families or couples — the pace is relaxed and there's a mix of temples, nature and cafes, so it works across ages.

Day 1 — Arrive in Uttaradit, take in Laplae and key temples

The first day focuses on the Laplae side, the district at the heart of Uttaradit, with its old temples, town museum and the food the province is known for. Take it slow from late morning right through to evening.

Day 2 — Uttaradit's nature, then prepping to cross over

Day two heads out of town toward Sirikit Dam to take in the wide reservoir views, then in the afternoon you drift back to catch a few spots in town and pick up souvenirs before your last night in Uttaradit.

Day 3 — Cross over to Phrae, the teak-wood old town

On the last day, check out early and drive south on Highway 11 through Den Chai into downtown Phrae, an old town that still keeps plenty of antique teak houses. Walk around Khum Chao Luang, pay respects at Phra That Cho Hae, then wrap up with a cafe and some mo hom indigo cloth to take home.

Must-try food in both provinces

Here's a short list to slot in along the way. Both towns have local dishes that are hard to find elsewhere, so trying them all is more worthwhile than eating at generic restaurants.

More to see if you have time

Tips for planning a smooth trip

• Fill up before leaving town — gas stations are spread thin on the route to Sirikit Dam and along some temple access roads, so topping off a full tank in town gives you peace of mind.
• Check shop closing days — some local shops close midweek, like Khao Phan Indy on Fridays, so check ahead so you don't miss out.
• Winter is the best window — November to February brings cool, pleasant weather, ideal for walking the old town and going up to the dam. The rainy season makes the waterfalls pretty but the roads slippery.
• You can put the last night in Phrae — if you'd rather not do a long drive on the final day, stay a night in Phrae and head back after, which lets you see more of Phrae.