I have to agree.
Even pushing through a band of CBs such as the ITCZ your can generally find/pick the path of least resistance, although sometimes you have to go 50,60+ miles off track. Ive only ever been 80nm off to aviod a band of CBs but have heard 140nm from an company.
Other tools:
Avoid flying downwind of the storm...a. more turb b. can get hailstones thrown from the top (in clear air)
Avoid at all costs the area 2/3rds the way up the CB. That is the point where up & downdraughts are tightly mixed at near their max vertical rate.
Individual cells only last 20-30mins (always exceptions)...perhaps you can wait it out?
The dissipating stage is the period of max down draughts & microbursts. Do not fly anywhere near the base. (Dissipating stage is characterised by heavy rain, hail or 'black' virga)
Just my 2p's worth.