Toll Fee Guide: NLEX, SLEX, TPLEX, Skyway, STAR Toll & More

Last Updated – Nov 18, 2021 @ 5:04 pm

Whether you want to take a vacation, visit your relatives, or travel for work, taking the expressway is the most convenient way to get out of the city and head to the surrounding provinces. 

By passing through expressways, your drive can be more scenic, fast, and hassle-free. Here’s an in-depth guide on the different expressways in the Philippines. 

What is an Expressway?

Expressways are roads constructed over new routes that pass through different cities. These major divided highways feature two or more lanes in each direction. 

It has more controlled access where vehicles can only enter through a limited place since no road crosses or merges with it. This avoids the rate of accidents and traffic. Drivers and motorists can also enjoy driving at a higher speed, as well as improved convenience, safety, and comfort. 

List of Expressways in the Philippines

Here are the different expressways in the country. 

• NLEX – North Luzon Expressway
• SCTEX – Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway
• NLEX Harbor Link
• SFEX – Subic Freeport Expressway
• TPLEX – Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway
• SLEX – South Luzon Expressway
• MCX – Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway
• CALAX – Cavite–Laguna Expressway
• CAVITEX – Manila–Cavite Expressway
• Metro Manila Skyway
• STAR Tollway – Southern Tagalog Arterial Road
• NAIAX – Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway
• CLLEX – Central Luzon Link Expressway

New expressways being built: 

• CCLEX – Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (Visayas)
• NLEE – North Luzon East Expressway
• SEMME – Southeast Metro Manila Expressway

Vehicle Classification in the Philippines

If you’ve ever been on the expressway, you’ve probably encountered Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3.

Keeping these classifications in mind when entering or exiting an expressway is crucial since the higher the class, the higher the toll charge is since bigger vehicles have a higher chance of damaging the road. 

But what is the difference between the three vehicle classes? 

Class 1

This classification covers most types of personally driven vehicles that are commonly found in the expressway. According to the Toll Regulatory Board or TRB, Class 1 vehicles have a maximum of 2 axles, and an overall height of 2,286mm or 7.5ft. Sedans, SUVs, motorcycles 400cc and up, and other coupes belong in Class 1.

High-roof vans such as Hi-Ace are also classified as Class 1 since it falls under the height requirement. If you have other models of high-roof vans, make sure to check its height before entering the expressway because other models such as the Hyundai H350 are considered Class 2. 

How about SUVs with luggage or bikes on the roof? SUVs are already quite tall, and the addition of cargo increases its height to more than 7.5ft. Considering this, you can still be charged a class 2 fee because of the excess height. Keep this in mind when buying roof racks for tall car models. If possible, go with a rack on the back of your car instead of the top.

Class 2

The TRB specifies that Class 2 vehicles have two axles and have a height of more than 2,286mm or 7.5ft. Trucks and taller vehicles fall under this class, including buses since it only has two axles. 

It is also possible for Class 1 vehicles to be considered as size 2 if there is a trailer attached to it. It doesn’t matter if the trailer is small. Because it has an additional set of wheels, it’s considered class 2. This class is usually charged double compared to class 1 vehicles. 

Class 3

If large buses are still considered Class 2, what do you think is classified as Class 3? According to the TRB, class 3 includes trucks that have 3 or more axles, as well as a height of more than 2,286mm. or 7.5ft.

Large trucks and trailers belong to this class. This covers 10-wheel wing vans, tanker trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, and other vehicles that have three axles or 6 wheels or more. While most people don’t pay attention to this class, it’s important for those who are involved in the trucking business. 

Expressway Toll Fees in the Philippines

Before you go on a road trip, you first need to know the different expressway toll fees so you can prepare for this extra cost. 

NLEX-SCTEX Toll Fees

Here are the updated toll fees for NLEX-SCTEX (as of May 2021):

North Luzon Expressway or NLEX connects Metro Manila to different provinces located in the Central Luzon region in the Philippines. It starts from Quezon City as a four-lane road at the Balintawak Interchange.

NLEX is connected to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway or SCTEX through to Mabalacat Interchange. The SCTEX southern terminus begins at Subway Bay Freeport in Zambales, and it passes through the Clark Freeport Zone. This highway is integral because Subic is one of the most visited places for Holidays.

SFEX (Subic Freeport Expressway) – formerly known as Subic-Tipo Expressway, and North Luzon Expressway Segment 7, the Subic Freeport Expressway connects SCTEX to the Subic Freeport Zone. It passes through Bataan and Zambales.  

North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link Project also known as NLEX Harbor Link is the extension of NLEX that aims to connect North Luzon Expressway to the Port of Manila. It also aims to decongest the traffic in EDSA, while helping quicken the turnaround times for commercial vehicles delivering goods to Metro Manila. 

Length of the NLEX: 84 kilometers
Length of the SCTEX: 93.77km
Length of the SFEX: 8.8km
Length of the NLEX Harbor Link: 28.85 kilometers 
Entrances and exits (NLEX-SCTEX Integrated entrances and exits):¹

• Balintawak
• Mindanao avenue
• Karuhatan
• Valenzuela
• Meycauayan
• Marilao
• Ciudad de Victoria
• Bocaue
• Tambubong
• Balagtas
• Tabang
• Sta. Rita 
• Pulilan
• San Simon
• San Fernando
• Mexico
• Angeles
• Dau
• Sta. Ines
• Clark South
• Porac
• Floridablanca
• Dinalupihan
• Subic (SFEX/Tipo)
• Mabiga
• Clark North
• Dolores
• New Clark City
• Concepcion
• San Miguel 
• Tarlac 

How much is the toll fee for the most popular destinations in NLEX-SCTEX? (Class 1)

• From Balintawak to Sta. Rita: PHP 107 
• From Balintawak to San Fernando: PHP 197 
• From Balintawak to Angeles: PHP 248 
• From Balintawak to New Clark City: PHP 316
• From Balintawak to Tarlac: PHP 396
• From Balintawak to Subic: PHP 500

Electronic tollway collection system used:  EasyTrip RFID 

TPLEX Toll Fees

Here are the updated toll rates for TPLEX:

This expressway connects Central Luzon and the Ilocos Region. It began operating in 2013, and the final section from Pozorrubio to Rosario was opened in July 2020. 

Length of TPLEX: 89.21 km.
Entrances and exits: 

• La Paz
• Victoria
• Gerona
• Paniqui
• Moncada
• Carmen
• Urdaneta
• Binalonan
• Pozorrubio 
• Sison
• Rosario

How much is the toll fee for the most popular destinations? (Class 1)

• From La Paz to Urdaneta: Php216
• From La Paz to Pozorrubio: Php270
• From La Paz to Rosario: Php311

Electronic tollway collection system used: Autosweep RFID

SLEX Toll Fees

Here are the updated toll rates for Skyway-SLEX-MCX:

The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) connects Metro Manila to provinces in the Calabarzon region. Its northern terminus is at Magallanes interchange, and its southern terminus is at Santo Tomas, Batangas, connecting it to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road.

While MCX links the southern province of Cavite to Muntinlupa, and connects SLEX to Daang Hari Road and Daang Reyna Road near Las Piñas and Bacoor. MCX is owned by the DPWH and operated by MCX Tollway, which is Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation subsidiary. 

Length of SLEX: 46.9km
Length of MCX: 4km
Entrances and exits: (Skyway-SLEX-MCX Integrated entrances and exits)

• C-5
• Merville
• Bicutan
• Sucat
• Alabang
• Filinvest
• MCX
• Susana Heights
• San Pedro
• Southwoods 
• Carmona
• Mamplasan
• Sta. Rosa
• ABI/Greenfield
• Cabuyao
• Silangan
• Calamba
• Sto. Tomas

How much is the toll fee for the most popular destinations? 

• From Magallanes to Sta. Rosa: Php175
• From Magallanes to Calamba: Php214

Electronic tollway collection system used: Autosweep RFID

Skyway 3 Toll Fees

Here are the updated toll rates for the Metro Manila Skyway 3:²

NAIAX Toll Rates:³

Also known simply as Skyway, Metro Manila Skyway is an elevated highway. This is the main expressway in Metro Manila which connects NLEX and SLEX. It also provides access to NAIA Expressway. 

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway or NAIAX is an elevated expressway in Metro Manila which links the Skyway to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as well as the Entertainment City. It traverses Pasay and Paranaque.

Length of Skyway: 42.79km.
Length of NAIAX: 11.6 km.
Entrances and exits: 

Northbound:

• Buendia
• Quirino
• Nagtahan
• Quezon Avenue
• A. Bonifacio
• Sgt. Rivera
• Balintawak
• NLEX

Southbound:

• NLEX
• Balintawak
• A. Bonifacio
• Sgt. Rivera
• Quezon Avenue
• E. Rodriguez
• Nagtahan
• Plaza Dilao
• Buendia
• NAIAX

How much is the toll fee for the most popular destinations? (Class 1) 

• (Northbound) From Quirino to Buendia: Php 210
• (Southbound) From Quezon Ave. to NLEX: Php 129

Electronic tollway collection system used: Autosweep RFID

STAR Toll Fees

Here are the updated toll rates for STAR Tollway:

Class 1:

Class 2:

Class 3:

The Southern Tagalog Arterial Road or the Star Tollway is a controlled-access expressway located in the province of Batangas. It is operated by STAR Infrastructure Development Corporation.

Length of the expressway: 41.9km

Entrances and exits: 

• Sto. Tomas
• Tanauan
• Malvar
• Sto. Toribio
• Lipa
• Ibaan
• Batangas

How much is the toll fee for the most popular destinations? (Class 1)

• From Sto. Tomas to Batangas: Php104

Electronic tollway collection system used: Autosweep RFID

CAVITEX Toll Fees

Here are the updated toll rates for CAVITEX:⁴

The Manila-Cavite Expressway links Manila to Cavite. On its north end, it feeds into and from Roxas Boulevard in Paranaque. On its south end, it splits into two termini along the north coast in Kawit, Cavite. 

Length of CAVITEX: 14km
Entrances and exits: 

• R-1 Expressway
• Kabihasnan
• R-1 Expressway extension 
• C5 South Link (Seg.3A-1)

How much is the toll fee for the most popular destinations? (Class 1) 

• From R-1 Expressway to C5 South Link: Php 22

Electronic tollway collection system used: Easytrip RFID

CALAX Toll Fees

Here are the updated toll rates for CALAX (as of August 2021):⁵

This road network runs between Cavite and Laguna Provinces in the south of Manila. It is not fully completed yet. 

Length of the expressway: 44.63km

Entry points and exits: 

• Santa Rosa-Tagaytay
• Laguna Boulevard
• Technopark
• Greenfield

How much is the toll fee for the most popular destinations? (Class 1)

• From Santa Rosa-Tagaytay to Greenfield: Php 64

Electronic tollway collection system used: Easytrip RFID

CLLEX Toll Fees

As of this writing, CLLEX is partially open (connecting Tarlac and Nueva Ecija) and is toll free.⁶

The Central Luzon Link Expressway or the Central Luzon Link Freeway is still partially operational only to Class 1 vehicles. It aims to connect SCTEX and TPLEX to NLEX in Cabanatuan towards San Jose, Nueva Ecija. 

Length of the CLLEX: 65.70 km

Toll Fee FAQs

Can you still pay cash at toll gates (NLEX, SCTEX, SLEX, TPLEX, CAVITEX, Skyway, etc…)?

Since July 12, only Class 1 vehicles with Autosweep RFID stickers are permitted to use Skyway Stage 3, but other expressways still accept cash transactions.

However, their goal is to go cashless in the future so applying for Easytrip RFID or Autosweep RFID is recommended to prevent inconveniences and long lines.  

What happens if you have insufficient funds in your RFID wallet?

If your RFID runs out of load, you will still be allowed to pass but you need to reload on the next ticket booth. Motorists who pass the toll gate with insufficient load thrice may be subject to penalties. 

How to reload your Autosweep and/or Easytrip RFID wallet?

Reloading Autosweep or Easytrip RFID is so simple. To reload using GCash, tap the icon for transportation and select the RFID you want to load, whether it’s Easytrip RFID or Autosweep RFID.

Then, fill out the form and supply your account details. Finally, confirm the transaction and the load will be added to your account. The minimum load for Easytrip is Php500, and Php200 for Autosweep. There is also a transaction charge of Php12 for Easytrip, and Php10 for Autosweep. 

Aside from GCash, you can also use other digital wallets such as PayMaya, Cliqq by 7/11, your smart prepaid or postpaid account, and through other service centers such as Savemore, Unionbank, Coins.ph, LBC, Bayad Center, FamilyMart, Chinabank, BPI, Bank of Commerce, Robinson’s Department Store, Robinson’s Supermarket, and many more. 

RFID Installation sites for Autosweep and Easytrip

Here are the 24-hour installation sites for Easytrip: 

NLEX and SCTEX (all classes)

• Karuhatan Interchange northbound exit             
• Karuhatan Interchange southbound entry
• Lawang Bato entry
• Ciudad de Victoria northbound entry
• Marilao northbound entry
• Santa Rita northbound and southbound entries
• Pulilan northbound and southbound entries
• San Simon northbound and southbound entries
• Mexico entry
• Dau Interchange northbound and southbound entries
• Santa Ines entry
• Mabiga northbound and southbound entries
• Concepcion entry
• San Miguel entry
• Clark South A and B entries
• Porac entry
• Floridablanca entry

CAVITEX (Class 1 only)

• Cavite Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) northbound ambulant – Manila-bound CIC customer service center
• CIC southbound ambulant – CAVITEX-bound CIC customer service center C5 Link
• C5 customer service – West Service Road and C5 Extension Road junction, Taguig City (Class 1 only, by appointment)
• Merville Toll after toll plaza
• Taguig Toll

CALAX

• Mamplasan-Greenfield customer service center before Mamplasan toll plaza exit (Class 1 only, by appointment)
• Laguna Boulevard A toll plaza
• Laguna Boulevard B toll plaza
• Laguna Technopark toll plaza

Here are the 24-hour installation sites for Autosweep: 

• Shell Magallanes
• Old NAIAX toll gate
• Skyway Runway northbound toll gate
• Eton northbound toll gate
• Southwood northbound toll gate
• Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Tarlac RFID center

What is the minimum balance for RFID?

Although there is no minimum balance when it comes to RFID, it is better to keep your balance high to avoid inconveniences. A balance of at least Php1,000 is recommended per RFID. This is enough to pay for a long road trip or accidental double deduction errors. 

Can you transfer your RFID to a different car?

No. Each RFID tag is unique to the registered customer and vehicle. Those who don’t want to use their tag are required to terminate it by contacting the Touch ‘n Go Careline. 

1. NLEX
2. Top Gear Philippines
3. Skyway.com.ph
4. Cavitex.ph
5. Calax.com.ph
6. Manila Bulletin