Manila to Subic Toll Fee — NLEX → SCTEX (Tipo Exit)
The Manila-to-Subic drive uses NLEX up to Dau, then SCTEX westbound to the Tipo exit at the edge of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It’s one of the most popular weekend escapes from Metro Manila — beach, duty-free shops, and Zambales coves are all within 30 minutes of the gate.
Per-expressway breakdown (Class 1)
- NLEXBalintawak → Tipo/Subic₱857.00
When to drive this route
NLEX northbound from Marilao to Bocaue is the choke point on weekends. After Dau, SCTEX is almost always clear — even on a Friday afternoon, you typically cruise the last 50 km. Saturday pre-7AM departures land you at Tipo before SBMA gate queues form.
Where to exit
Exit at Tipo, then go through the SCTEX Tipo Toll Plaza into the Subic Bay Freeport (Kalaklan Gate). RFID stays on Easytrip the entire way. Last fuel before SBMA is at Petron or Shell along Olongapo–Castillejos Road just outside the gate.
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 Subic. For more drive-cost guides, see the TipidGas blog.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the Manila to Subic 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 Subic route?
- NLEX → SCTEX. Plazas: Balintawak (entry) → Tipo/Subic (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 2–2.5 hours for the 130 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.