Most people driving to Khao Yai take Mitrapap Road, Nakhon Nayok, or the canal-side route. These are the three most convenient ways from Bangkok, but during holidays and weekends the traffic jams add hours to the drive. That problem is gone now that the M6 expressway to Khao Yai is open for trial runs.
In this article, Hotel Labaris Khao Yai walks you through when the M6 expressway opens, which toll plazas are in service, and how to plan your drive to Khao Yai so you arrive relaxed.
Key Takeaways
- The M6 expressway to Khao Yai is free every Friday from 12:00 to Sunday at 24:00.
- The expressway has 9 entry and exit points; 5 are currently open: Bang Pa-In, Hin Kong, Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek, and Pak Chong.
- Only 4-wheel vehicles are allowed on the M6, with a speed limit of 80 km/h.
Image credit: Thairath
What is the M6 expressway and is it open yet?
The M6 expressway, officially Route 6 Bang Pa-In–Pak Chong, is a motorway linking Bang Pa-In with Nakhon Ratchasima province. It runs about 110 kilometers and was built to ease congestion on Phaholyothin Road and Mitrapap Road, and to give drivers a route that isn’t affected by flooding.
When does the M6 expressway open? Right now it’s in a trial phase. The Bang Pa-In–Pak Chong section runs free every Friday from 12:00 to Sunday at 24:00.
The M6 expressway sometimes extends its hours or opens free outside the normal schedule during emergencies. For example, it stayed open until 29 September 2026 to help with flooding, then returned to the regular schedule from Friday 2 October 2026.
M6 expressway to Khao Yai: where to enter and exit
The M6 Bang Pa-In to Korat expressway has 9 entry and exit points: Bang Pa-In, Wang Noi, Hin Kong, Saraburi, Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek, Pak Chong, Sikhio, and Kham Thale So. During the free trial, though, not all nine are open. Check which plazas are in service before you plan your trip.
Five points are currently open: Bang Pa-In, Hin Kong, Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek, and Pak Chong. Here’s how to plan your drive.
Driving from Bangkok to Khao Yai
From Bangkok, join the M6 expressway at the Bang Pa-In toll plaza. If you’re coming from the Phaholyothin Road area, enter at Hin Kong instead. Then follow the motorway and exit at Pak Chong, which connects to Thanarat Road and Mitrapap Road.
Driving from Khao Yai back to Bangkok
Although the Pak Chong–Muak Lek section is open, some parts are still under construction. Coming back from Pak Chong to Bangkok, you’ll first use Thanarat Road and Mitrapap Road, then join the expressway at Muak Lek, continue to Bang Pa-In, and drive on into the city.
What to know before using the M6 expressway to Khao Yai
The M6 expressway to Khao Yai adds a faster option, but the route is still in a trial phase and not every plaza is open. Do your homework before you set off.
1. Check the days and hours
Right now the M6 expressway to Khao Yai is free only on weekends: Friday 12:00 to Sunday 24:00. Plan your departure around the opening and closing times so you don’t get caught out.
2. Check which vehicles are allowed
During this trial, the Bang Pa-In–Pak Chong section accepts only 4-wheel vehicles, with a speed limit of 80 km/h. Construction and system installation are still underway, so the rules are stricter than usual.
3. Fill up or charge before you go
The M6 expressway runs 110 kilometers with no gas stations or EV charging points along the way. Check your fuel level and EV battery before you leave so you don’t run dry.
4. Don’t stop on the motorway
The M6 is a high-speed road, so don’t stop unless you have to. For breaks, use the temporary rest areas at Thap Kwang and Sikhio, and follow the traffic signs and staff instructions.
How to pick the right route to Khao Yai
You don’t always have to use the M6 expressway. It depends on when you travel, how heavy the traffic is, and what’s convenient at the time. Here’s who each route suits best.
1. M6 expressway to Khao Yai
This suits people coming from Bangkok, Ayutthaya, or nearby areas, traveling when the expressway is open — weekends and special holidays. You take the motorway, exit at Pak Chong, and continue on Thanarat Road.
2. Mitrapap Road
If you’re driving on a weekday when the M6 Bang Pa-In to Korat expressway isn’t running, Mitrapap Road remains the main route from Bangkok through Saraburi to Pak Chong.
For more options, guide to the fastest routes from Bangkok to Khao Yai that avoid traffic.
3. Nakhon Nayok route
If you start from eastern Bangkok or plan to stop in Nakhon Nayok first, the Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok–Prachinburi route is another way into the Khao Yai area.
Drive to Khao Yai safely and stay at a luxury hotel in nature
When you drive to Khao Yai on the M6 expressway and exit at Pak Chong, you’ll join Thanarat Road, where Hotel Labaris Khao Yai sits. It’s a short drive from the Pak Chong plaza, so you can check in, rest briefly, and head out to explore without feeling worn out.
Our resort is built around quiet, private beauty. Rooms range from deluxe and duplex rooms to private pool villas with a swimming pool, plus streamside camping. There’s also a restaurant, cafe, and plenty of amenities, ideal for relaxing after a full day of exploring.
You can book a room today. Contact us on LINE @hotellabaris, call 063-190-1900, or 044-300-999.
FAQs About M6 Expressway
Q: Where do I enter and exit the M6 expressway to Khao Yai?
A: From Bangkok, join the M6 expressway at the Bang Pa-In toll plaza in Ayutthaya and exit at Pak Chong. From there, continue on Thanarat Road and Mitrapap Road, the main roads to Khao Yai's attractions.
Q: When does the M6 expressway open?
A: Normally the M6 opens for trial use every weekend — Friday 12:00 to Sunday 24:00 — plus special holidays and other occasions. Check the latest announcements for up-to-date schedules.
Q: How much is the toll on the M6 expressway?
A: Based on the latest announcement, the M6 expressway to Khao Yai is free during the trial period. No toll is charged.
Q: Can I take the M6 expressway to Korat?
A: Yes. Exit at Pak Chong and continue into Korat from there.
Q: How is the M6 expressway different from Mitrapap Road?
A: The M6 is a motorway with no traffic lights and no intersections, a speed limit of 80 km/h, and a route over 110 kilometers with less traffic. Mitrapap Road connects to more places along the way, so it's more flexible for stopovers.