Manila to La Union Toll Fee — NLEX → SCTEX → TPLEX
Manila to La Union — surf country — exits TPLEX at Rosario, the same plaza Baguio uses, then continues north on the MacArthur Highway to San Juan and San Fernando. The toll portion is identical to Baguio; the post-tollway leg is what diverges.
Per-expressway breakdown (Class 1)
- NLEXBalintawak → Tarlac₱670.00
- TPLEXLa Paz → Rosario/Baguio₱311.00
When to drive this route
TPLEX is the smoothest stretch — wide, light traffic, fast cruise. Friday-evening northbound to La Union surf weekends backs up only at NLEX (Bocaue) and at the Rosario exit on Saturday mornings. Leave Manila by 4 AM Friday or before 6 AM Saturday.
Where to exit
TPLEX terminates at Rosario. From there, MacArthur Highway runs straight north to Agoo, Aringay, Caba, and into San Fernando. San Juan (Urbiztondo surf break) is 25 minutes past San Fernando. Top up Easytrip before Rosario.
Plan your fuel cost too
Tolls are only one part of the trip budget. Combine this calculator with our live national fuel-price tracker or check diesel prices in La Union. For more drive-cost guides, see the TipidGas blog.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the Manila to La Union toll fee?
- The total toll for a private car (Class 1) is shown above. Class 2 (buses, light trucks) is roughly 2× the Class 1 rate. Class 3 (heavy trucks) is roughly 3×. All fares already include the 12% VAT.
- What expressways are used on the Manila to La Union route?
- NLEX → SCTEX → TPLEX. Plazas: Balintawak (entry) → Rosario/Baguio (exit). Cross-expressway transitions are charged automatically — you only stop at the entry and exit plazas.
- Which RFID system do I need?
- Both Easytrip (NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, Skyway) and Autosweep (SLEX, STAR, Skyway Stages 1–2) work end-to-end at all plazas. Top up before the trip — running out at a closed-system entry plaza is the most common pain point.
- How long does the drive take?
- Approximately 4.5–5.5 hours for the 270 km drive, in clear traffic. Allow extra time for weekday morning rush hour at NLEX or SLEX, and for Sunday-afternoon return queues.
- Are these toll fees up to date?
- Yes. Fares come from the official Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) toll-rate matrices via the public expressway.ph API. The data is re-synced weekly.