Can I still pay cash in SLEX or NLEX?

Paying your RFID toll fee is the most convenient way to drive through tollways, whether you’re using Easytrip RFID or Autosweep RFID. Make sure to load up your RFIDs because starting September 1, 2023, the TRB is rolling out a two-month dry run of cashless toll collection.

List of Updated Toll Fees in the Philippines This 2024

Q: Do I need to reload my RFID regularly?

Load your RFID account at your discretion. But note that tollways will enforce a three-strike policy against RFID users who constantly pass through without enough load. Starting May 15, 2021, anyone who passes through toll gates with insufficient load for the third time will pay a ₱1,000 fine.

Whether you’re traveling to work or headed somewhere for a vacation in the north or south, you should add toll fees to your list of expenses. This way, you can prepare your budget and make sure to load up your RFID sufficiently.

Check out this updated list of toll fees before you hit the road.

What is a Toll Fee?

A toll fee is simply the amount you pay to use a road or highway. As part of the government’s initiative to build major expressways for better transportation across different provinces, Presidential Decree No.1112 was issued, paving the way for the creation of the Toll Regulatory Board to “supervise, monitor, and regulate the construction, operation, and maintenance of toll facilities.”^[1]

Tollway Vehicle Classifications

Motorists can reach various destinations in the Philippines through expressways connected to Metro Manila, which all require toll payments. The toll fees are determined based on vehicle classification.^[2]

👉 Class 1 Vehicles

Vehicles with two axles and an overall height of up to 7.5 feet are classified as Class 1. These include sedans, vans, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles. You most likely belong to this class, unless you're driving a large vehicle like a bus or RV.

👉 Class 2 Vehicles

Class 2 vehicles are those with two axles but with a height of more than 7.5 feet. Large vehicles like buses and trucks belong to this class.

👉 Class 3 Vehicles

This class is reserved for large trucks with at least six wheels and a height greater than 7.5 feet. Unless you're in the courier or transport business, you probably don't belong to this class.

Expressway Toll Fees in the Philippines 2024

While we’re eons away from getting rid of traffic, the various highway projects in the Philippines give us a sliver of hope. Soon, new expressways will also be built to cut travel time to various provinces.

Calculate toll fees by reviewing this extensive rundown of tollway fees for different expressways in the Philippines:

📌 Skyway-SLEX-MCX Toll Fees

The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) consists of three expressways that connect Metro Manila to a list of South Luzon provinces. It stretches from Makati to Muntinlupa, then passes through Muntinlupa to Santo Tomas, Batangas. Traversing Skyway-SLEX can be tough at times, so make sure you’re updated on the latest skyway traffic advisory.

Here are the SLEX toll fees for 2024:

Skyway-SLEX-MCX Toll Rates - Class 1 Vehicles

Skyway-SLEX-MCX Toll Rates - Class 2 Vehicles

Skyway-SLEX-MCX Toll Rates - Class 3 Vehicles

📌 Skyway 3 Toll Fees

The Skyway 3 connecting SLEX to NLEX was first opened to the public in December 2020, free of charge. The Skyway toll fees were first enforced on July 12, 2021.^[3]

Here are the Skyway 3 toll fees for 2024 if you’re planning to travel to and from the South:

Skyway 3 Toll Rates - Class 1 Vehicles

Skyway 3 Toll Rates - Class 2 Vehicles

Skyway 3 Toll Rates - Class 3 Vehicles

📌 NLEX-SCTEX Toll Fees

The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) is one of the main road arteries in the Philippines. It connects Metro Manila to Central Luzon provinces like Pampanga and Bulacan. NLEX has an average traffic of 200,000 motorists per day and is considered one of the busiest roads in the country.

NLEX is connected to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), an expressway that extends the reach of NLEX to Subic, Clark, and Tarlac. With a length of 93.77 kilometers, SCTEX is the longest expressway in the Philippines.

Check out the 2024 toll fee rates for NLEX-SCTEX below:

NLEX-SCTEX Toll Fees - Class 1 Vehicles

toll fees - nlex-sctex class 1

NLEX-SCTEX Toll Fees - Class 2 Vehicles

toll fees - nlex-sctex class 2

NLEX-SCTEX Toll Fees - Class 3 Vehicles

toll fees - nlex-sctex class 3

For the full list of the updated NLEX-SCTEX toll rates, check the matrix on the TRB website.^[4]

📌 TPLEX Toll Fees

Planning a road trip from Manila to La Union? You’ll be saving a lot of travel time if you use the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). It’s an 89-kilometer expressway that starts from SCTEX and ends in Rosario, La Union, with exits to various cities and towns in Tarlac, Pangasinan, and La Union.

It was first opened to the public in 2013, and the third phase of TPLEX that connects Pozorrubio and Rosario opened in 2020.

Here are the TPLEX toll fees you have to pay if you’re on your way up north:

TPLEX Toll Rates - Class 1 Vehicles

TPLEX Toll Rates - Class 2 Vehicles

TPLEX Toll Rates - Class 3 Vehicles

📌 STAR Toll Fees

The Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), formally known as the Apolinario Mabini Super Highway, is connected to SLEX, which shortens the travel time between Metro Manila and Batangas City. STAR passes through Malvar, Tanauan, Lipa, San Jose, and Ibaan.

So if you’re looking for a quick detour to some of the top Batangas tourist spots, here are the STAR toll fees you need to pay:

STAR Toll Rates - Class 1 Vehicles

STAR Toll Rates - Class 2 Vehicles

STAR Toll Rates - Class 3 Vehicles

📌 CAVITEX Toll Fees

What is the quickest way from Manila to Cavite, you ask? The answer is the Manila-Cavite Expressway, also known as the Coastal Road. It starts from the end of Roxas Boulevard and splits into two terminals along the North Coast in Kawit, Cavite. The Coastal Road is a perfect route if you’re planning a road trip near Manila.

Here are the toll fee rates for CAVITEX:

📌 C-5 Southlink Expressway Toll Fees

Driving to and from Metro Manila isn’t always pleasant, especially on the south side of the metro. The C-5 Southlink Expressway aims to solve traffic woes by connecting CAVITEX to C-5 in Taguig. The 2.2-kilometer section was opened to help ease the traffic on SLEX East and West Service Roads and EDSA.

It starts at Carlos P. Garcia Avenue (C-5) in Taguig and then ascends to the flyover, crossing the Skyway, PNR tracks, and SLEX before descending to the terminus at C-5 Road Extension in Pasay, near Merville, Parañaque.

Here are the toll fees:^[5]

Class 1 - ₱35
Class 2 - ₱69
Class 3 - ₱104

📌 NAIAX Toll Fees

Roads going to airports can get crowded. Make it in time for your flight by using the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX). This road links to the Skyway and is the quickest route to Entertainment City in Parañaque City.

So if you’re looking to go out of the country or enjoy a quick gamble, prepare to pay these NAIAX toll fees:

📌 CALAX Toll Fees

While the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) is not yet fully completed, the portion that links the Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna, and Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road to the Silang East interchange in Silang, Cavite is currently open.

CALAX connects CAVITEX to SLEX, effectively easing the traffic between Cavite and Laguna. The last section of CALAX, which leads to the Silang West (Aguinaldo) Interchange, was opened in September 2023.

The next interchange will be a 7.9-kilometer 2x2 lane expressway extending from Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange to Governor’s Drive in General Trias. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.^[6]

For now, here are the updated CALAX toll fees if you’re planning your next road trip to Laguna:

CALAX Toll Rates - Class 1 Vehicles

CALAX Toll Rates - Class 2 Vehicles

CALAX Toll Rates - Class 3 Vehicles

Related reading:

Expressway Toll Fees: FAQs

1. Why should I pay toll fees in the Philippines?

Similar to when you use any other public utility or service, you’re also required to pay fees when using tollways to help facilitate and maintain the operation of expressways.

Sometimes, the collection of toll fees is halted in the event of a national crisis or to commemorate special holidays. Newly built expressways are also opened to the public for free within the first few months before toll facilities are assembled and toll rates are enforced.

Toll fees are just among the many expenses you have to pay as a car owner. Save on your fuel and other car-related expenses with a credit card that provides rebates, discounts, and other perks! See our top recommendations below:

Credit Card	Features and Benefits
UnionBank Platinum Mastercard	1% cashback on all purchases, including fuel purchases Free lounge access at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3
HSBC Red Mastercard	6% rebate on your first Caltex fuel purchase; 3% fuel rebate all year round Up to 4x rewards points on shopping, dining, online, and overseas spend
HSBC Gold Visa Cash Back	6% rebate on your first Caltex fuel purchase; 3% fuel rebate all year round 5% cash back on dining transactions 1% cash back on department store and overseas transactions 0.50% cash back on all other transactions
Security Bank Complete Cashback Mastercard	4% cashback on gas purchases 5% grocery rebate 3% utility rebate 2% dining rebate 1% shopping rebate
Petron BPI Card	3% fuel rebate at BPI-accredited stations (up to ₱15,000 fuel rebate per year) Free fuel voucher worth ₱200 for new cardholders

2. Are there still SLEX and NLEX cash lanes in 2024?

Toll plazas participating in the contactless toll collection dry run, which began in September 2023, will collect toll fees through RFID. Non-participating toll plazas, meanwhile, will still have RFID and cash lanes.

Though cash payment is still allowed, motorists are highly encouraged to switch to RFID for faster and hassle-free entry and exit at toll plazas.^[7] Paying your RFID toll fee is the most convenient way to drive through tollways, whether you’re using Easytrip RFID or Autosweep RFID.

3. What happens if I don't have sufficient load on my RFID wallet?

If you happen to pass through a tollway with insufficient load, you're still allowed to pass through the expressway. You'll be asked to reload at the next ticket booth or stop and reload your RFID account near the toll gate.

But note that tollways will enforce a three-strike policy against RFID users who constantly pass through without enough load. Anyone who passes through toll gates with insufficient load may incur a fine of ₱1,000 for obstruction and disregard of traffic signs.^[8]

4. How much are the toll fees for popular destinations?

Planning a weekend trip from Manila to Tagaytay? Or maybe you’re just curious about the NLEX to TPLEX toll fee? We got you! Here are some quick toll fee computations to help you out.

If you’re coming from Metro Manila and driving a Class 1 vehicle, expect to pay these fees:

👉 Northern Destinations

Manila to Angeles, Pampanga toll fee (NLEX-Balintawak to NLEX-Angeles): ₱302
Manila to Lingayen, Alaminos toll fee (NLEX-Balintawak to TPLEX-Paniqui): ₱566
Manila to Subic toll fee (NLEX-Balintawak to SCTEX-TIPO): ₱656
Manila to Baguio via TPLEX toll fee: (NLEX-Balintawak to TPLEX-Sison): ₱777
Manila to La Union, Laoag toll fee: (NLEX-Balintawak to TPLEX-Rosario): ₱798

👉 Southern Destinations

Manila to Tagaytay toll fee (SLEX-Magallanes to SLEX-Sta. Rosa): ₱181
Manila to Batangas toll fee (SLEX-Magallanes to SLEX-Calamba): ₱224

5. What vehicles are exempt from paying toll fees?

Government vehicles on official business are exempt as long as they present their official trip ticket at toll booths. Emergency vehicles are also exempt from paying toll fees^[9], especially if they’re actively responding to a crisis.

Under Executive Order (EO) 41, all vehicles in charge of transporting goods also don’t need to pay “pass-through fees” while going through any national roads and other roads not constructed and funded by LGUs. This directive aims to ensure the efficient movement of goods across the regions to revitalize local industries.^[9]

Other types of vehicles that are exempted from toll payments include the following:

Public firetrucks and ambulances
Marked vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
Marked impounding vehicles from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

Final Thoughts

You might think toll fees are unnecessary. But they are essential in keeping our major expressways functional and safe. When you’re looking to escape the concrete jungle, take note of the necessary toll fees and add them to your vacation budget.

Also, before you embark on a long drive, make sure your vehicle is insured! Check out your top car insurance choices below:

Car Insurance Company	Maximum Total Sum Insured	CTPL Coverage	Own Damage & Theft Coverage	Acts of Nature Coverage	Death / Disablement Coverage
FPG Insurance	₱4 million	✔️	✔️	✔️
Malayan Insurance	₱7.5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️
The Mercantile Insurance Corporation	₱5 million		✔️	✔️
OONA Insurance (formerly MAPFRE)	₱5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
PGA Insurance	₱3 million				✔️
SGI Philippines	₱5 million	✔️		✔️	✔️
Standard Insurance	₱5 million	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Stronghold Insurance	₱3 million		✔️