Can you drive the tuk far? Discover how many miles a day you can travel in a Bajaj Maxima tuk tuk, its fuel range, speed limits, and essential travel tips for exploring Cambodia’s vast and scenic landscapes.
How Far Can You Drive a Tuk Tuk in a Day?
A lot of travelers ask, “How far can I go in a day with a tuk tuk?”
The short answer: more than you might think.
Most people drive between 80 to 200km per day, that’s about 50 to 124 miles. It really depends on how you travel. Some like to take it slow, stop for photos, food, and chats with locals. Others want to get from one province to another. Both work fine, but the tuk tuk isn’t built for racing, it’s built for enjoying the journey.
Average Speed and Comfort Zone
A tuk tuk drives best around 40 km/h in the city (about 24 mph). On smooth open roads, you might go up to 60km/h (37 mph), but the fun part is taking your time.
At this speed, you can enjoy the scenery, wave to kids, and actually see Cambodia, not just pass through it. If you’re trying to cover big distances fast, you’ll miss what makes the experience special.
Typical Daily Distances
Here’s what most travelers find comfortable:
- Easygoing drive: 60–90 km (37–56 miles), around 2–3 hours on the road
- Average day: 100–130 km (62–81 miles), about 3–4.5 hours
- Long travel day: 150–180 km (93–112 miles), around 5–6 hours
Most people settle somewhere around 100–120 km (62–75 miles) per day. That gives plenty of time to drive, eat, stop for photos, and arrive before sunset.
How Fast Can a Tuk Tuk Go?
Technically, a tuk tuk can reach 60 km/h (37 mph), but that’s not where it shines. The best experience is cruising steady around 40 km/h. It’s safer, smoother, and easier on the engine.
Roads in Cambodia can be unpredictable — you’ll pass through towns, animals crossing, and the occasional pothole. Taking it easy keeps things safe and enjoyable.
Fuel and Range
Tuk tuks are surprisingly fuel-efficient. The Bajaj Maxima runs on LPG with a full 20-liter (5.3 US gallon) tank, giving you a range of roughly 200–250 km (124–155 miles) before needing a refill.
For peace of mind, there’s a small 3-liter (0.8 US gallon) petrol reserve tank. This backup can cover an extra 30–40 km (19–25 miles) if you run out of LPG, especially useful in rural areas where LPG stations are sparse.
LPG is widely available in major towns, and petrol can easily be found at roadside shops or gas stations, so running out is rarely a problem.
Example Routes and Distances
To give you an idea of what a typical drive looks like:
- Siem Reap to Battambang: 170 km (106 miles) – a full day’s drive
- Phnom Penh to Kampot: 150 km (93 miles) – around 4–5 hours
- Kampot to Kep: 25 km (15 miles) – about 45 minutes
- Siem Reap to Phnom Penh: 320 km (199 miles) – best enjoyed over 5 days, taking the scenic Battambang route along the way.
Plenty of travelers complete full loops of 1,200–1,500 km (750–930 miles) over a few weeks. It’s a fun, steady pace that lets you see all sides of Cambodia.
How Long Should You Drive Each Day?
Most travelers start around 8 or 9 AM and stop by 4 or 5 PM. That gives enough time to travel comfortably and reach your next stop before dark.
We don’t recommend night driving — some roads have no streetlights and animals or slow trucks can appear out of nowhere.
Take a short break every 60–90 minutes to stretch and grab a drink. You’ll enjoy the trip much more when you’re not rushing.
Factors That Affect How Far You Can Go
- Road conditions – Main highways are smooth; countryside roads can be slower.
- Weather – Rain can slow you down, especially in the green season.
- Stops – More stops for food and photos mean less distance covered.
- Driving style – Smooth and steady saves fuel and keeps the engine happy.
- Timing – Start early to avoid heat and traffic.
What It Feels Like to Drive That Far
Driving a tuk tuk is easier than most people expect. You’ll get a full driving lesson before you start, so you’ll feel confident on the road. The open-air design means you feel the wind, the smells, and the sounds around you — it’s very different from sitting inside a car.
Even after driving just 50 km (30 miles), you’ll feel like you’ve seen so much more than on a regular road trip. Every day is full of small moments — locals waving, buffalo crossing the road, and unexpected detours that turn into highlights.
Can You Drive Around the Whole Country?
Definitely. Plenty of travelers do full loops from Siem Reap down to Phnom Penh, then to Kampot and Kep, across to Battambang, and back north.
That’s roughly 1,500 km (930 miles) total, and it takes about 3–4 weeks if you go at an easy pace. You’ll pass through beaches, mountains, countryside, and temple towns — all from the driver’s seat of your own tuk tuk.
A Few Tips for Longer Drives
- Start early – Cooler weather, less traffic.
- Take breaks often – Every hour or so, get out and stretch.
- Avoid night driving – Hard to see, especially in rural areas.=
- Refuel early – Don’t wait till empty. Top up when you can.
- Stay flexible – Plans change. Sometimes the best moments are unplanned ones.
So, how far can you drive a tuk tuk? On average, between 80 to 150 km (50 to 90 miles) a day, cruising at around 35–45 km/h (20–28 mph).
It’s enough to see Cambodia properly, without rushing. The tuk tuk isn’t just transport, it’s part of the adventure. Whether you go 60 km or 600, what matters is the experience along the way, the people you meet, the small towns you stop in, and the freedom of being on the open road in your own ride.