Malaysia: East side of Malaysia

[Nani]

Hi Forumers,

 

I do not have a GPS and would like to seek you valuable advise here:

 

1) Is the best and shortest route to Kuantan via H3 OR via Yongpeng/Segamat trunk road? (How many KM frm woodlands)

 

2) Where is the best place to stop for a nite before hitting up to Kuantan?

 

3) Which is the best route from Kuantan to Melaka? Isn't via Segamat?

 

Last wk just drove to Cameron Highlands but had a nite stay in KL before heading up to CH. Thus, I'm worried that to drive all the way up to Kuantan would be too tedious??

 

Is the experience on driving on NSH and Route 3 very different?

 

MTIA :)

Edited November 30, 2009 by Nani

[Acieed]

 

1) Yongpeng/Segamat is not shorter, but it is usually faster and more long straight roads and you will cover some distance on NSHW. Route 3 is more scenic and shorter in distance, but many winding country roads.

 

2) Mersing or Rompin if you are going by route 3.

 

3) Yes, Segamat. E8 via KL will be much farther, don't know a better route if there is.

 

4) All the way to Kuantan is possible, but it will take longer than going to KL via NSHW. Generally, you will be driving at lower speeds and occasional traffic on single lane trunk roads.

 

Hi Forumers,

 

I do not have a GPS and would like to seek you valuable advise here:

 

1) Is the best and shortest route to Kuantan via H3 OR via Yongpeng/Segamat trunk road? (How many KM frm woodlands)

 

2) Where is the best place to stop for a nite before hitting up to Kuantan?

 

3) Which is the best route from Kuantan to Melaka? Isn't via Segamat?

 

Last wk just drove to Cameron Highlands but had a nite stay in KL before heading up to CH. Thus, I'm worried that to drive all the way up to Kuantan would be too tedious??

 

Is the experience on driving on NSH and Route 3 very different?

 

MTIA :)

 

[Acieed]

You can use Google maps for an estimation without GPS.

 

1. Via Segamat its 367 km from Woodlands, but only 5 hours 16 mins in travelling time.

 

2. Via Route 3, only 334 km but 6 hours 14 mins in travelling time.

 

Usually, the actual travelling time is longer for getting through immigration, breaks, etc.

[Windchoco]

My experience was that it is much more tiring than driving on the NSH.

 

To make matters worse, bcos trunk routes usually a lot of big vehicles, if u travel behind them, the small stones flying from their 8 x rear wheels will hit your car front, chipping the paint work. So its not a good idea to drive to East Malaysia if you are the type who fussy about your car body.

 

Car also much more dirty, needed to claybar after that, else some "red sand" spots cnnt wash off...

 

=((

[Voodooman]

Segamat is my preferred route as it is less winding and bumpy as compared to route 3. It takes about 5 hours to reach Kuantan and overnight stay enroute is not really necessary, just stopover at Yong Peng/Segamat for a long and leisurely breakfast/lunch and you will be Kuantan about 2 hours later.

 

I used to stop at KL for my trip to Cameron but these days, I preferred to drive 7-8 hours straight to Cameron, with selected stopovers for makans and sightseeing, I prefer to prolong my stay in Cameron as much as possible to enjoy the nice cool weather.

 

I prefer the Segamat/coastal route to driving on NSHW, the drive is more challenging and fun, driving on NSHW is so boring. You will acquire and hone your overtaking skills overtime but do be extra careful when you have to overtake a few trucks at one go. Do take note of overtaking restrictions on roads with double/single white lines.

Edited November 30, 2009 by Voodooman

[Nani]

Hi Guys..

 

Thanks all for your valuable input :)

 

Cheers

[Nikicat]

Hi Voodooman,

 

I am driving to Kuantan next week and am incline to take Route 2 (via Yong Peng/Segamat) over NSH. For route 2, are the trunk roads one lane per direction all the way? I am not a fan of such roads and may use NSH if majority of the roads are one laner.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Regards

nikicat

[Voodooman]

Hi Voodooman,

 

I am driving to Kuantan next week and am incline to take Route 2 (via Yong Peng/Segamat) over NSH. For route 2, are the trunk roads one lane per direction all the way? I am not a fan of such roads and may use NSH if majority of the roads are one laner.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Regards

nikicat

 

Hi Nikicat,

 

For clarity, there are 2 ways (on wheels) to get to Kuantan from Singapore, namely Sin-NSHW-Yong Peng-Segamat-Kuantan ("NSHW/Route 12"). The alternative is Sin-Mersing-Rompin-Pekan-Kuantan ("Route 3").

 

If you want to minimise travelling on trunk road, you should take NSHW/Route 12 as about 1/4 of the journey will be via NSHW (if die die must take highway, you can drive to KL and take the Karak Highway to Kuantan but that is a significant detour). From Yong Peng to Kuantan is about 3-4 hours.

 

Route 3 is the coastal road, much like Route 12, although it offers more overtaking lanes (more dual lanes on each direction). Route 12 has fewer of these. If you are not proficient at overtaking on a single lane trunk road, Route 3 might be a better option. The ride can however be more bumpy and twisty, especially if you are in a hurry (if your car's suspension is bad, the ride can get uncomfortable).

 

I am afraid I can't give you a straight forward answer as both routes have something that you want. You should try both and see which one you like.

 

Regards,

Voodooman

Edited December 3, 2009 by Voodooman

[Nikicat]

Hi Voodooman,

 

Thanks for the clarification. Guess I will stick to the longer NSHW/Karak way which will be an easier drive. May try the Yong Peng route on my next trip.

 

Thanks again

[Voodooman]

Hi Voodooman,

 

Thanks for the clarification. Guess I will stick to the longer NSHW/Karak way which will be an easier drive. May try the Yong Peng route on my next trip.

 

Thanks again

 

That is 2-3 hours more in terms of travelling time (4 hours to KL and 2.5 hours on Karak), not to talk about toll charges. If you are willing to spend 6-7 hours to reach Kuantan, you should take a slow and leisurely drive along Route 12, it should be a very relaxing drive and you can save some monies. Just my 2 cents.

[Atonchia]

Route 3 is more scenic and enjoyable. but you have to like bends and curves and require a fair bit of overtaking bumpy though

[Nikicat]

Thanks again guys. I am more prepared now after reading the info posted

[Nikicat]

Hi Guys,

 

1 more question...considering it is raining session now, will the Yong Peng/Segamat route get flooded if it pours? Don't want to get standed in some forest if it happens.

 

Thanks

[Voodooman]

It won't be fair for me to advise you on the road condition of Route 12 during the moonsoon period as I visit the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia from Mar to Oct only. However, I would think that Route 12 (mostly) is on higher ground than part of Route 3 (ie. Kota Tinggi and part of the coastal area of Pahang state) and is thus less affected by floods. I could be wrong, do google a little or "lowyat" (one of my best sources of information on Malaysia) to find out. Anyway, if it rains heavily and continuously for a few days, even Singapore can get flooded. The risk cannot be totally discounted.

 

If you are going to Kuantan, recommend to pop by Cukai and Kijal to see-see look-look. The latter has very nice beaches but swimming at Kijal is not recommended due to the strong currents. Have fun!

Edited December 6, 2009 by Voodooman

[Nikicat]

It won't be fair for me to advise you on the road condition of Route 12 during the moonsoon period as I visit the East Coast of Peninsula Malaysia from Mar to Oct only. However, I would think that Route 12 (mostly) is on higher ground than part of Route 3 (ie. Kota Tinggi and part of the coastal area of Pahang state) and is thus less affected by floods. I could be wrong, do google a little or "lowyat" (one of my best sources of information on Malaysia) to find out. Anyway, if it rains heavily and continuously for a few days, even Singapore can get flooded. The risk cannot be totally discounted.

 

If you are going to Kuantan, recommend to pop by Cukai and Kijal to see-see look-look. The latter has very nice beaches but swimming at Kijal is not recommended due to the strong currents. Have fun!

Thanks, will keep that in mind.

[Nani]

Hi guys

 

Is the NSHW/YongPeng/Segamat (route 12) "Safe" to drive? On this route, will we pass be any unpleasant villages?

 

Reason asking cos was reading on the other thread about Unpleasant drive that passes thru some villages etc, and was threathen smehow... ..

 

We'll be driving up in a single car with kids in tow..so just wanna make sure is safe.

 

Thanks for input.

[Nikicat]

Hi guys

 

Is the NSHW/YongPeng/Segamat (route 12) "Safe" to drive? On this route, will we pass be any unpleasant villages?

 

Reason asking cos was reading on the other thread about Unpleasant drive that passes thru some villages etc, and was threathen smehow... ..

 

We'll be driving up in a single car with kids in tow..so just wanna make sure is safe.

 

Thanks for input.

When you heading up? I leaving his Wed morning.

[Adrianli]

I have been to Kuantan by Route 3 twice and it takes abt 5-6hrs of leisure driving. I would advise to go by route3 for the scenic route, since u are there for a holiday and not rushing to work.