NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX Stopover Guide for your North Bound Weekend Getaway

27 May 2022

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Road excursions and weekend vacations to Luzon's northern region have long been popular.

The NLEX SCTEX, or North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), as well as the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), are the smoothest and quickest route to traverse, providing comfort and convenience for drivers and passengers while also lowering operating expenses for vehicles.

Taking these routes has always been easy and convenient for provinces in the northern and central parts of Luzon. It serves as a gateway to a number of popular tourist destinations. Metro Manila is connected to the rest of the country by these two expressways. Toll systems have been consolidated into a single unified system for convenience. If your journey takes you via the NLEX SCTEX or TPLEX, we've compiled a list of recommended rest stops for you.

North Luzon Expressway NLEX

NLEX was used to be known as "North Diversion Road" until it became known as the North Luzon Expressway. The highway starts in Quezon City and runs through Caloocan, Valenzuela, Bulacan, and Pampanga provinces before ending at the city of Caloocan in the capital of Metro Manila, the Philippines.

The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) from Manila connects to the SCTEX from Subic–Clark–Tarlac.

NLEX Northbound Lane 84 kilometers Stopovers

Below are the stopovers that you can find in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Northbound lane:

Balintawak Toll Plaza
Mindanao Toll Plaza (Smart Connect Interchange)
Valenzuela Exit
Meycauayan Exit
Petron Stopover (Gas/Food/Toilets) Km 23 Jollibee, Kenny Rogers, Starbucks, Army Navy, Café France, Shakey’s, Hap Chan, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, KFC, Krispy Kreme, McDonald's, Burger King, San Mig Cafe, Mr. Donuts, Seafood Island
Marilao Exit
Bocaue Toll Plaza
Bocaue Exit
Shell Stopover (Gas/Food/Toilets) Km 32 Jollibee, Kenny Rogers, Chow King, Café France, Hen Lin, Dairy Queen, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Razon's, Potato Corner, Lutong Bahay, Lapid's, Shawarma House
Tabang Toll Plaza
Balagtas Exit
Sta Rita Exit
Petron Stopover (Gas/Food/Toilets) Km 42 McDonalds
Pulilan Exit
Total Stopover (Gas/Food/Toilets) Km 55 Tropical Hut, Barby's Breakfast, Dexter's Pizza, Max's Restaurant, Potato Corner
San Simon Exit
San Fernando Exit
Petron Stopover (Gas/Food/Toilets) Km 71 McDonald's, Starbucks, Shakey's, BonChon, Tapa King, Tokyo Tokyo, Mangan Tana, Razon's, Potato Corner, Lugaw Republic, San Mig Cafe, Bibingkinitan
Mexico Exit
Angeles Exit
Dau Exit
SCTEX Exit
Sta Ines Exit

NLEX Southbound Lane Stopovers

Below are the stopovers that you can find in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Southbound Lane. These are perfect if you're looking for gas stations, food stalls, or toilets for a bio break:

Before Angeles Exit Km 77. You can find here the following: Shell Max's Chicken. Tapa King, Krispy Kreme, Hen Lin, BonChon, Hap Chan, Pancake House, Yellow Cab, Jollibee, Cafe Express
After San Fernando Exit Km 62. You can find here the following: Caltex KFC, Kenny Rogers, Cafe France, Razon's Bubusok, Chow King, Jollibee, Chego
After Sta Rita Exit Km 37. You can find here the following: Shell Mr. Moo, Chow King, Starbucks, Ambula, Kapampangan, Lauro's Cafe, Potato Corner, Shawarma House, Takoyaki, Lapid's
After Bocaue Exit Km 30. You can find here the following: Petron Army Navy, Chow King, KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks, Subway, Max's Chicken, San Mig Cafe, Bibingkinitan, Potato Corner, Lapid's, Pancake House
Before Paso de Blas Exit Km 16. You can find here the following: Caltex (GAS ONLY/NO FOOD)

Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway SCTEX Stopovers

It is the longest expressway in the Philippines. It was opened to traffic in July 2008 and runs from Subic Bay and Tarlac City. Four-lane highway in the Central Luzon area of the Philippines. There are two provinces that make up SCTEX: Pampanga and Tarlac. The amount of time it takes to go from A to B has decreased, and there has been no traffic congestion in the area.

Below are the stopovers that you can find in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) which is 93.8 kilometers long:

Tipo Toll Plaza
Total Stopover Km 4 (Subic bound). You can find here the following: BonJour, assorted snack counters
Total Stopover Km 4 (SCTEX bound). You can find here the following: BonJour, assorted snack counters
Dinalupihan Exit
Floridablanca Exit
Porac Exit
Clark South Exit
Mabiga Exit (NLEX Interchange)
Clark North Exit
Dolores Exit
PTT Stopover Km 70 (Tarlac bound). You can find here the following: Pancake House, Potato Corner, Cafe Amazon
Seaoil Stopover Km 70 (NLEX bound). You can find here the following: CITIMALL, Jollibee, Shakey's, Army Navy, Chow King, Mang Inasal, Highlands Coffee, Potato Corner, Yamang Bukid, Juice Factory
Concepcion Exit
San Miguel - Hacienda Luisita Exit
Tarlac Exit

Tarlac - Pangasinan - La Union Expressway TPLEX Stopovers

Located in the Manila area, the capital city of the Philippines, TPLEX is a four-lane expressway under development. Beginning from Tarlac City's southern terminal and winding its way north to Rosario in La Union.

Below are the stopovers that you can find in the Tarlac- Pangasinan-La Union (TPLEX) which is an 88.5-kilometer long highway:

Tarlac City Exit
Victoria Exit
Pura Exit
Petron Stopover Km 134 Northbound and Southbound (Gas/Food/Toilets)
Ramos Exit
Anao Exit
Carmen Exit
Urdaneta Exit
Binalonan Exit
Pozzorubio Exit
Sison Exit
Rosario Exit

Stopover Picks!

Did you get overwhelmed with all the stopovers that you can find along NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX? We pick some of our favorite premium stores along these highways that include tourist facilities, fast food chains, and an area for your quick toilet break. Some of them are even a massive one-stop facility that can also include some basic car services during your road trips leisure travel to your favorite destination or quick weekend getaways.

Let's take a look at some of them:

Caltex Mega Station (Southbound)

This stopover is conveniently located near Lumina Homes, one of the nation's leading real estate developers. If you're an OFW who wants to make your first investment in the southbound near NLEX, Lumina Manaoag is a great place to start your journey. A thriving metropolis is a wonderful place to make a real estate investment.

Location: North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), San Fernando City, Pampanga (Around 54 minutes travel time from Lumina Manaoag)

Drive & Dine (Southbound)

To get your hands on a unique pair of iconic footwear, clothing, or accessories, make your way to Store at Drive and Dine.

Along NLEX, you'll pass one of the most well-known and significant rest stops in the direction of the southbound lanes not to mention the biggest stopovers in NLEX. A pleasant rest stop on the motorway wherein you can find a pasalubong shop. It is situated between the exits for Meycauayan and Valenzuela. Services including automobile rental and ATM services as well as souvenir stores and smoking lounges are all readily accessible.

Location: North Luzon Expressway, Valenzuela City (Around 51 minutes travel time from Lumina Pandi and Lumina Baliwag)

Sea Oil Station Mall (Subic-Bound)

SEAOIL, the biggest independent petroleum provider in the Philippines, and CityMall Commercial Centers, Inc., a subsidiary of Double Dragon Properties Corp., are working together on this project. For a pit break, there's plenty of parking and quick food options like Potato Corner, Jollibee, and Mang Inasal to choose from here. This is definitely one of the best locations to dine, drink, and take a snooze in the Subic Bay area.

Location: City Mall Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) (Around 25 minutes travel time from Lumina Tarlac Residences)

PTT Station (Tarlac-Bound)

On the northbound lane of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the largest and cleanest service station can be found. The PTT-SCTEX is just a few kilometers away from the Clark exit. The station has an eight-pump petrol station, a store, a coffee shop, and a public bathroom dubbed as Restroom 20 that can be used by the public.

Location: City Mall Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) (Around 25 minutes travel time from Lumina Tarlac Residences)

Petron Lakeshore (Northbound)

Located on the North Luzon Expressway, Petron Lakeshore is one of the largest stopovers on our list of NLEX and SCTEX Stopovers. In here, it is possible to find a fueling station open at all times of the day or night in any location. This huge one-stop center is home to a broad range of retail establishments, restaurants, parking lots, and other tourist attractions.

Location: North Luzon Expressway, Mexico Pampanga (Around an hour travel time from Lumina Tarlac Residences)

Lumina Homes communities near NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX

In choosing a community and brand new house and lot for your family, one of the most important things to consider is convenience and accessibility. With Lumina Homes, you can hit both as our subdivisions in the north, south, and central Luzon are all located near these super highways.

Make sure to visit us when you pass through these expressways and highways to check out our available home model units for these Lumina Homes communities: