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Driving up to Kuantan

Eddymerckx

By Eddymerckx,
in Travel & Road Trips

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Genie47

Genie47

1st Gear

After reading their forums, tempted to get GPSr but seems like Symbian devices don't have a lot. Got some guy converting the Garmin Malsingmaps for Symbian phones.

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Irene

Irene

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l've drove up to kuantan before.. it a bloody long drive, bro. Watch out for segamat.

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Biccat

Biccat

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You are right. This is the shortest route but traffic conditions are not very good. The roads winding and narrow. Once you get stuck behind those big trucks, it is really difficult to overtake. Just to give you an experience that I had, 2 yrs ago, when I participated in the Wheels Asia Driving Holiday to Kuantan. This was the route we took for our forward journey and it was damn siong. Being single lane on each side, it was really difficult to overtake unless you are willing to follow the slower trucks all lined up in a row all the way. So unless you have a powerful car which allows you to overtake them all and shift back into your lane before meeting the oncoming traffic, use the way from Segamat. Imagine clocking speed in excess of 140km/hr on a narrow.winding and uneven roads so as not to break the vehicle convoy. That's what we did on our way back. Although the journey was longer, the drive was more pleasant and involves less risk.

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Eddymerckx

Eddymerckx

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Thanks to all bros and sis for the helpful advice!

 

I have not decided on the route yet (still need to do homework and study the maps) but Im starting to get a feel of the directions from all your feedback.

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Porker

Porker

Turbocharged

Drive by NS Highway.. exit towards KL and follow the signs from there. Its big and unmistakable.

 

Drive by East Coast Highway... Drive towards Pahang... again the signs are unmistakable.

 

I did it many times without using a map. Just road signs and sense of general direction. Never lose my way even once.

 

Enjoy the trip. I think the trip is as good if not better than the destination.

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Eddymerckx

Eddymerckx

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first, buy a good map of malaysia... then,

 

for the shortest route - take the NS highway, exit at the 2nd Yong Peng exit (there's 2).

After the toll, you will reach a 3 point junction. Turn left, on the rural roads, and follow the direction to Segamat. Once you reach Segamat, follow the direction to Kuantan.

 

Bro, via the NSH, exit at Yong Peng Utara (North). Take the leftmost road and hit Segamat.On maps, this road should be Federal Road 1 right? From Segamat take road 12 northwards through Rompin, Pekan and Kuantan?

 

Can tell me what the road and traffic conditions are like? Also, where to stopover for breaks and refuelling.

 

Cheers!

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Genie47

Genie47

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(edited)

Federal Highway 12 (Tun Razak Highway) will not get to Rompin. It bypasses Rompin and Pekan. It goes straight up into the Karak-Kuantan Highway (Federal Highway 2). If going to the resorts outside Kuantan as in those along Pantai Balok up to Pantai Cherating, look out for turns to Kuala Terengganu (or Cukai). This will take you along Highway 3.

 

Refer to my E28 Highway map in this post: http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/gforum.cgi...1382698#1382698

 

See the town of Gambang? That road leading up to it from the south is Highway 12. Gambang onwards to Kuantan is part of Highway 2. That fork going upwards bypassing Kuantan is Highway 3.

Edited by Genie47
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Carstyle

Carstyle

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(edited)

I took that Segamat Highway in 2004 on the way to Kuantan. After leaving Segamat town, watch out for lumber trucks. The same thing on the way back. Some of these trucks are very fast, so make sure you can overtake safely (clear view ahead) before doing so. They don't bother to slow down for you to overtake. If got time, can always make a detour to Lake Tasik Chini, if nature is your cup of tea.

Edited by Carstyle
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Zizou

Zizou

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correct up to segamat...

 

going northwards from segamat you will reach a town called muadzam shah.

turn right will take you to rompin.... long route.. rompin->pekan->kuantan

 

go straight will take you nearer to kuantan, faster.... at the end of this road you will join a highway... kuantan is to your right (east).

 

nothing much to look forward to... every few dozen km will pass small town with petrol stations, unlike the rompin->pekan route... yah watch out for the trucks

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Eddymerckx

Eddymerckx

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Made the trip last Saturday. Went in via Second Link, hit Yong Peng Utara exit and followed directions to Segamat. From there, follow the directions to Kuantan, hitting Muadzam Shah on the way. Total travelling time was abt 4-5hrs. Roads weren't bad and typical speeds of 90km/h. Lumber trucks tended to slow the traffic down but thankfully there weren't that many of them. Overtaking them on the narrow roads can be quite hairy though...

 

From Cherating back to SG, decided to try the East Coast Expressway, which links to Karak and to KL. The objective was Putrajaya and the drive took about 2hrs approx. The expressway was practically deserted for most stretches, good for those who want to 'test machine'. Toll costs RM 16.90 if I remember right. After Putrajaya took the NSH back to SG.

 

Overall, it was a great experience and we encountered no mishaps, thankfully. Partly, this was due to all the information so kindly provided here and we were able to plan the route thoroughly. Thanks again to all!

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Genie47

Genie47

1st Gear

Ah! Took the Lebuhraya Pantai Timur too eh?

 

See my report. Yep this expressway is good to test the machine. Yep it is RM16.90 from end to end. The part going up to Kuala Terengganu is still being made.

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Orac

Orac

Clutched

Hi Eddymerckx,

 

I'm also keen to drive up to cherating.

 

May I have so more info...

 

What time did you actually left the second link?

Did you need to book a room at the hotel/resort before hand?

I mean could we just get a room on the spot when we are there? will it cost more if we didnt book a room in advance?

 

When you reach Segamat, is it difficult to find direction to Kuantan?

 

And lastly, are there lots of pot-holes along the way?

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