Manila to Baguio: Taking the SCTEX Hacienda Luisita Exit
February 18, 2009 by lisa
Filed under travel & transportation
When I went down to Manila last Christmas via the Victory Liner De Luxe Bus, the non-stop service that get passengers to Cubao in 5 hours during the day and in 4 hours during the midnight runs, I was surprised to see that we did not access the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) via the Tarlac City exit, but instead we passed through Tarlac City and turned left upon reaching Hacienda Luisita. We then drove through a much wider ‘farm-to-market’ road that seemed shorter than the 9kms of the narrow barangay road in Tarlac City that I wrote about previously in NLEX-SCTEX: Get to Baguio Faster.
From Manila to Baguio last Friday, Nico decided to try the SCTEX Luisita exit. We are forever experimenting on the fastest routes to Baguio City you see, but still cannot bring ourselves to go all the way to Nueva Ecija via La Paz just to get to Baguio City, since there were not too many cars on the road on Friday, the 13th of February 2009 anyway.
This is how to get to Baguio using the SCTEX Luisita exit:
1. From the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), take Exit 85 SCTEX.
2. Enter the SCTEX toll booth
3.Immediately take the lane to the right to go towards Baguio (going straight goes to Subic, ok?)
4. Keep going for about 33km, until you see signs of an impending Luisita exit.
5. Exit at the Luisita exit and pay the toll fee of Php60.
6. Drive for about five kilometers more until you hit McArthur Highway.
7. Turn right at McArthur Highway.
8. Pass the remainder of Tarlac province which means Tarlac City, Gerona, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel; pass Carmen, Villasis, Urdaneta City, Binalonan, Pozzorubio, Sison in Pangasinan; until you reach Rosario, La Union where you will have a choice of climbing Kennon Road or Marcos Highway (recommended) to get to Baguio City.
We found that we liked this Luisita route. Of course it helped that the traffic in the city center was pretty light, otherwise we would have regretted this decision. It was not like we were traveling on a busy weekend anyway. And since the whole point of maintaining this blog is to give you the latest updates on everything concerning Baguio City based on actual experience, here is a comparison of the two SCTEX exits.
Here are the advantages of taking the SCTEX Hacienda Luisita exit:
1. It’s a bit cheaper by a few pesos Php60 to the Php69 of the Tarlac City exit. Of course this is because one exits sooner, by about 4 kms.
2. The road connecting SCTEX to McArthur Highway is shorter. Our odometer reading was just 5 kilometers versus the 9km of the barangay roads in Tarlac City.
3. The connecting road is wider and there are less tricycles plying that route, also probably because there are less residential communities along that road.
4. Going both directions, Manila or Baguio City, it is easy to spot the turn to this particular exit.
Here are the disadvantages of taking the SCTEX Hacienda Luisita exit:
1. You will not be avoiding the Tarlac City traffic. There is a stoplight that can cause a bottleneck in the middle of the city on holiday weekends.
2. The buses and larger vehicles like trucks pass there. We heard recently, though, that Victory Liner buses are now equipped with limiters that do not allow the previously reckless and road bullying-drivers to speed over 90kph. Remember how they used to (?) tend to overtake brazenly on the opposite lane causing smaller vehicles with right of way to pull over to the shoulder or go on complete stops along the highway?.
If one were to recommend this exit exclusively to all travelers heading northwards, then all cars will tend to be stuck in Tarlac City, in Tarlac province then again in Urdaneta City in Pangasinan.
So here are my recommendations:
1. When you are passing the SCTEX, check how many cars are exiting this new highway at Hacienda Luisita. If the line is pretty short, you can try this exit, gambling on the fact that the traffic in Tarlac City will be relatively light. If yours is a fast car, take this exit because there are opportunities for overtaking in the access road.
2. If it seems to you that many are exiting the SCTEX at Hacienda Luisita (because they read this post — hahaha!), then drive on for a few more kilometers and take the Tarlac City exit. You will now pass that narrow 9km access road but you will skip any potential bottlenecks in Tarlac City and exit closer to Gerona.
For non-peak travel periods I would prefer taking the Hacienda Luisita exit. For busy weekends and holidays, stop complaining about the traffic and just try to find the routes that are not as congested.
Traffic along MacArthur Highway is unavoidable unless they extend the SCTEX to La Union (this is planned, don’t worry — we just don’t know when) because dusty, congested, disorganized Urdaneta City traffic is always such a pain!
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Now for those of you who are expecting traffic within Baguio City during the Panagbenga parades to be just like last Christmas or every Holy Week — darned right! Just as it has been for the past decades, guys! Nothing shocking about that.
If you want to enjoy a quieter Baguio City, January, early February, end of classes to Palm Sunday, all summer days except Holy Week and May 1 weekend, and all other days of the year. Choose those days or find lodging accommodations on the east side, where Baguio is more relaxed.
As always, ditch the car whenever you can and do some walking. It’ll help.
That’s what I always do.
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Related Articles at Go Baguio!:
We just...
I took the bus from Manila to Baguio on 13 February 2009. I waited three hours in the bus station until I was able to get on a bus as a chance passenger. All the buses were full. Apparently, many people travel to Baguio for Valentine’s. I did not realize that many people celebrate Valentine’s Day in Baguio.
Hi Pandora,
Although reservations are not required to get on a bus, it is recommended that you buy a ticket ahead, especially on a Friday (the same way all folks going back down from Baguio on a Sunday should buy return bus tickets upon arrival here).
February sees a lot of activities — the Panagbenga (Fluvial Parade was on last Valentines!) and the PMA Alumni Homecoming. On all other days of the year, folks can still find romance among the pine trees and foggy afternoons. I went up last Friday, too, and took a car passing the route described above. Today I take my chances (have to go down again to Manila for a wake) and will hop on a bus later.
Thanks for telling us about your experience
Wow, Lisa…what an advice!
I was wondering though if this newly discovered route supercedes your other recommendations/advice re: Detours in Pampanga & Pangasinan. I wanted sana to get your permission so we could use that bit of info for our upcoming Baguio Traveler’s Guidebook.
Hi Chi,
It always changes. The reason I use the internet as a medium (versus print) is so I can change and update when I discover something new, relevant and useful. Although Go Baguio! is not a blog, the info there is totally up to date.
Luisita is an alternative to the Tarlac City exit. Others swear by the La Paz route during peak travel periods. When the SCTEX extends to La Union, the info will change again again of course
The Panpanga & Pangasinan detours still stand, just as Marcos versus Kennon. And the travel advisory page in wwww.gobaguio.com is one of the pages I update most often because there are many more alternative routes nowadays.
Personally, I can gauge the flow based on extensive experience commuting back and forth, both by private and public transport. I suggest you try them all out yourself so you can recommend the one you like the best for your guide.
Thanks again for this info Lisa.I think every bit of new info as an option is always welcome.
Hi Lisa,
My wife and I are going on a weekend in Baguio tomorrow till Sunday, I’m thinking of passing by Manaoag Church on our way back to Manila.. Could you advise me on your preferred route? And on what time of the day is best to go there?
Thanks! More power to you and God bless!
-Wilbert =0)
hi lis,
thanks for this entry. i was kind of wondering why the deluxe Victory buses don’t take the exit in Tarlac, i thought that was faster.
i am so excited about the coming weekend highlight of Panagbenga (not too excited about the traffic and crowd though). was wondering what you are up to?
if you are here this weekend, want to have lunch at Eve’s on sunday and talk about Panagbenga plans? Marie’s back.
Hi Wil,
To get to Manaoag,you have to make a turn a Pozzorubio in Pangasinan and drive for about 45 minutes or so. There are signs along the way that should help you.
Hi Grace,
Am back down in Manila to attend an uncle’s wake and burial. Will be back in Baguio on Wed. See ya!
Hi Lisa,
I will be visiting Baguio in a couple of days from now and your blog has been a
big help in my planning for the trip. Thanks so much and keep up the good work. By the way, I’m worried about the color coding in Baguio is it suspended since its Panagbenga Festival?
Yes Jimmy,
Color coding is suspended. And by the way, even when it is in force, remember that the Number Coding Scheme applies only to the Central Business District. A good map will help you avoid the restricted areas.
Hi Lisa,
Very informative site you have here, your doing a purdy good job in promoting our summer capital!
A question on quicker routes. In your video the exit was at the end of SCTEX then left to Tarlac City, then right to McArthur on the intersection across Total Gas Station? Wouldn’t that be faster to Baguio then exiting Hacienda Luisita?
I did try the Nueva Ecija route today thru Cuyapo and it is definitely a much longer way.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Enrique,
They’re about equal in my book. SCTEX Tarlac City exit has a 10km one lane one each side access road to McArthur but one bypasses the traffic of Tarlac City.
SCTEX Hacienda Luisita has a 5km access road (but there are two lanes on each side so overtaking is possible) to McArthur but one hits the traffic in the center of Tarlac City.
On November 1 weekend, pass Hacienda Luisita as you will not pass public cemeteries (unlike the Tarlac City and La Paz exits).
For Panagbenga Parade weekend, Hacienda Luisita was actually ok.
For Holy Week, I may even pass the Nueva Ecija route if just to avoid Urdaneta because that is actually the advantage of taking that route.
Hi, what is it about Urdaneta City that makes it such a hassle for motorists? The roadworks there near the intersection going to Dagupan never seem to end! I always expect delays passing through this town specially during daylight hours and my fears are always realized. If that expressway to La Union happens in the next few years then this will be a boon for us all. Ordinary weekends in Baguio will be easier for all. Good riddance to that Carmen to Urdaneta stretch!
Hi Andre,
One of my guests once exclaimed exasperatedly, “Urdaneta merely exists to make life difficult for motorists.”
The problem with Urdaneta City, apart from a bad drainage system that causes it to flood, is that the city causes bottlenecks along the national highway by stopping motorists on the north-south route to give priority to the locals going on the east-west route from Asingan to Dagupan, which is the province’s commercial capital. The stoplight has a left turn, too and northbound folks have to squeeze into one lane at times thus the bottleneck.
Sometimes I get the feeling they hold up motorists deliberately so that folks can rap our windows selling tupig. Hahaha! But seriously, I do not think that it is fair that Urdaneta not only allows its tricycles to lord the roads, weaving in and out of traffic that they have caused, but that its own local traffic holds up the rest of the world. The cars going to malls are forever stopping to turn left to a mall, or crossing the highway to get to the opposite lane.
When SCTEX extends to La Union, Luzon will jump for joy and we will never have to see Urdaneta again, which will be sad, because if Urdaneta behaves reasonably and stops trying to “hold us hostage” even now, they can still get some business from folks who want to stop over for meals and supplies.
Hi Lisa !
I have two sons, ages 8 and 6, who have never been to Baguio yet. Plans in the past never materialized due to various reasons, and I thought of finally introducing them to Baguio this summer.
I was able to file for a week-long leave from May 1 to 8, and I’m thinking of taking them up then. I have a cousin who lives on Mt. Santo Tomas (did I get the name of the mountain right ?) who generously invited us to come stay at his house.
I know that it isn’t advisable to go up on Labor Day weekend, but do you think it gets less crowded between May 4 to 8 ? I want my sons’ first Baguio experience to be truly memorable (and spare them from the hassles of crowds and such).
Also, we don’t have a car so we’ll be taking the Victory Liner bus. At what time would you recommend that we leave Manila ? I’m a bit anxious about my 6 year-old, who has never been on a long bus ride before.
Thanks in advance for your advice, Lisa. And if there’s any other bit of advice you think I will need, I’ll appreciate them very much as well.
Best regards.
Juan Carlos
Hi Juan Carlos,
I’m so excited for your sons! Here are some tips for you:
1. There’s a de luxe bus that can get you here in 5 hours instead of 7 during the day and 4 hours if you take the midnight run but it’s Php700 per head compared to the usual Php440/per person special airconditioned bus. In both cases maybe your kids can share one seat but you have to call Victory Liner first to ask if this is possible. There are multiple trips per day for both bus types to help you decide (I suggest an early morning trip so they can see the Philippine country side along the way — plus they will not feel too woozy while climbing up the Zigzag).
2. When taking children up to Baguio my mom always says that leaving at around 5-6 am is best so that one arrives there around noontime and the kids are still sleepy during the first few hours.
3. Yes you got Mount Santo Tomas right — Baguio’s highest peak and not very crowded. However, the area may not have a lot of public transportation available, depending on how high up in the mountain you are. Thus you will save on accommodations but your movements may get a little restricted and you will be spending more on transportation. So you should consider bringing a car.
3. If bringing a car is not possible, then upon arrival please make arrangements with a taxi driver for daily pick-ups or hire one to take you around for the day at least on the first day so you can go sightseeing.
4. Check this out for fun activities in Baguio for the kids.
Just let me know if you need more information. Hope this helps.
Hi again, Lisa.
THANK YOU for the great advice ! I checked out the “Baguio For The Kids” link you sent me and that, too, was very helpful. I am definitely taking them bike and boat riding at Burnham Park soon as we get off the bus
You mentioned hiring a taxi for a day so that we could go sightseeing. That sure sounds like the best thing to do. I’d just like to know, how much would it cost to do that ? Could you give me a ballpark figure? (just so I don’t get swindled by an unscrupulous cabbie).
I’ll be on a rather tight budget and any cost-saving tips I’ll surely appreciate.
Thanks again, Lisa. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Juan Carlos
p.s. Do you think, if we hire a taxi for the day, it could take us as far as the Strawberry Farm in Benguet ? Or will that be too far already ?
And, just in case staying with my cousin doesn’t push through, is there a budget-friendly hostel or inn you could recommend ?
Thanks so much !
Hi again Juan Carlos,
Baguio cabs cost about Php200-250 per hour and yes, they can take you as far as La Trinidad to go strawberry picking. The cabbies here are honest, and since supply exceeds demand, they really prefer to be hired for the day.
At the very least, contract someone to pick you up from Santo Tomas to take you to town if your cousin’s place is at the top of the mountain.
You may check out the lodging houses in Baguio at the Baguio Directory
Alright. Thanks for all your help, Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Your site has been very useful to me for sometime now as I have been searching for the fastest route to baguio. Great job btw, your doing the Lord’s work here.
Question though, my friends went to bagiuo last March and they used the baguio via sctex then tarlac route. They told me that they experienced traffic in Urdaneta! Almost adding 1 hr to their travelling time.. (daw)
As Im going to baguio this weekend, should I take the luisita exit or will it (luisita) still pass the urdaneta traffic? Any recommendations?
Hi Wilson,
The SCTEX only exits in Tarlac. Urdaneta is in the next province, Pangasinan and it is the bane of motorists because their traffic management leaves much to be desired. There are alternate routes & detours but if you are not familiar with the route, I suggest you grin and bear the Urdaneta traffic
Tip: stay on the right lane in Urdaneta when going up to Baguio; coming down, it’s safe to stay on the left lane. You see, Urdaneta holds everybody up when they block the national highway with a stoplight, allowing vehicles to turn left to Dagupan and giving priority to vehicles crossing the highway from Asingan to Dagupan. I so do not agree that there should be stoplights along Mcarthur Highway.
One day SCTEX will reach La Union and bypass Pangasinan! I can hardly wait for that.
You can read more about the alternate routes & detours at my main site, Go Baguio!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the prompt reply. I’ll keep in mind on your “tip” when I go up to baguio this Friday! I hope I will not experience any traffic come Friday, wish me luck!
Thanks!!!
thanks for the info it will help us a lot cause we are going to baguio tom after a long time. can you also give me direction of coming back especially the road and turns to sctex and nlex. Thank you!
Hello Lisa, your site is very infomative. We are planning to go there this weekend. I know, Labor Day weekend and we are braving the traffic.
Sounds silly…. But I just want to ask if you have the fastest route from baguio going back to Manila? We will be staying at Microtel Baguio, and I plan to pass the Marcos HIghway route you mentioned.
We are driving our private car and this is our first trip to Baguio. Thank you!
Regards,
Jen
Hi Jocel & Jen,
As it turns out, I actually published a new article at Go Baguio regarding getting back to Manila from Baguio because it is a question asked constantly. Here it is:
Baguio to Manila Travel Advisory
Hi Lisa!
The family is planning to go to Baguio this weekend, although its Labor Day and the traffic might be bad. Just want to ask how to get to Manaoag? My mom wants to pass by there on the way to Baguio. We are planning to leave Manila at about midnight of May 1 to be able to avoid daytime traffic.
Thanks!!!
jeric
Hi Jeric,
After Urdaneta, one will see a sign in the next town, Binalonan, that indicates the way to Manaoag. Once you turn there from MacArthur Highway, you will drive for about 30-45 minutes more.
If you leave Manila at midnight, you should hit Manaoag at about 3 or 4 am, which may be a bit too early yet, but it’s ok to nap in the car as Manaoag is a pretty safe town.
By the way, I haven’t been there in years so I am recalling the route from memory. What I can safely say is that you can speed up all the way to Urdaneta and start watching out for the road signs that indicate Manaoag (to your left, if I am not mistaken) after you exit Urdaneta City. The turn may either be at Binalonan or in the next town Pozzorubio.
Hope this helps.
Hello Lisa,
A pleasant day to you and to your fans.
My family is planning to visit our relative in Baguio City on June 21, 2009. All in all we are 6 in the family. Can I ask advise which would be better, shall we take the bus or rent a car just to enjoy our stay there.
Maybe we will stay there for 3 days
Thanks & regards
Norman
Hi Norman,
Since you’ll be six, it’s more cost effective to bring a car (taking an aircon bus is cheaper better if you’re 1-3 persons).
Also the taxi cabs here are only allowed only carry 4 persons, whether a Kia Pride or a Toyota FX so, while sometimes it’s cheaper and easier to take cabs around, your family will be taking 2 cabs at a time on this occasion.
Although some Junes in Baguio can actually be dry (like 2006 and 2007), this year looks like it’s going to be wet, so it will be more convenient if you had a car to bring around.
Even if your relatives have a car to take you around in, you will still enjoy more freedom if your brought your own vehicle.
Hope this info helps you decide.
Hi Lisa!!!
Thanks for the info. Will just be on the lookout for those signs. Looks like its going to be a wet travel for us later, will definitely take Marcos Highway because of the rains.
Thanks!
Jeric
Hi Jeric,
So far it only rains here in the mid afternoon, but since it rains daily Kennon is definitely out of the picture. Take it easy — after all, speeding will only get you here 15 minutes sooner. Not worth the risks.
Have a great time in Baguio!
hi lisa! i am just browsing the net to find infos on how to go to baguio via bus since i don’t own a car and other stuff for me to know when i get there. luckily i found your site and i find it very helpful thanks to you!
it’s gonna be a birthday gift for myself however i will be there alone. it might sounds sad.. (yeah a bit) but i’m still positive that i’ll enjoy strolling around baguio.
thanks again and if there are still some stuff i need to know or any suggestion you can share with me that would be very appreciated.
Goodspeed!
Hiya Kelly,
Happy Birthday! There’s so much to do here and so many folks (downtown) that it’s not like you’ll be bored and aloooone.
And come to think of it, lemme publish a piece on traveling solo… will let you know if it’ll be here or in that other Baguio City site.
If Luisita exit is shorter by 4 kms compared to Tarlac City exit, and it’s access road is about 5km compared to the 9km access road for Tarlac City, then how about the distance from the end of the Hacienda Luisita access road to the end of access road in Tarlac City SCTEX exit. The distance between the two points may be worth considering, assuming that MacArthur Highway traffic is light. How about that?
Hi Jean,
It’s all just about the same — because the access road in the Tarlac exit is a one lane road where it can be difficult to overtake if there are too many vehicles using it while the Hacienda Luisita is a shorter and wider access road but you can get caught up in traffic in Tarlac City.
I suggest you check the SCTEX map at GoBaguio! because it shows the exit points and the different highways crisscrossing each other so you get a better idea.
Hi Lisa, would you have any recommendations of a place to stay in the Rosario, La Union area? My family and I are traveling to Baguio on a Friday afternoon and would like to spend the night before driving up the zig-zag road. Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Karla,
There’s a nice resort at Camp 1 on on Kennon called Klondikes (it’s not in the really zigzaggy portion yet) and this is the only place I know of in the area. I do not know of any hotels in the Rosario, La Union, mostly resorts that are further up north.
If you’re coming up on a Friday, you will be in the company of many vehicles along Kennon Road or Marcos Highway and Rosario is just 45 minutes away from the city. So if you decide not to stay overnight in La Union, my suggestion would be to choose a vehicle as your “pathfinder” and just tail it (but not too close, of course) so you don’t get insecure coming up, especially if it’s your driver’s first time to climb up the zizsag.
Hope this helps
hi lisa can i apply as your personal driver? im female i like travel any were and im game to taveling i have a expewrience 8 years private driver her in manila you can call me at 09152946785 thanks!
Hi Ken,
Hahaha. I do my own driving. But since you published you mobile number and are telling everyone you’re female, expect to get a call or 99 of them from interested parties.
Hi Im Isabel, i am planning to spend my 3 days vacation in Baguio this Feb 13th to 15th. I am looking for an affordable and comfortable hotel or room in Baguio where we can stay with my friends of four. I dont know much about Baguio City actually, for the very obvious reason that i was never been there, neither of my friends coming with me. I want to explore Baguio for those 3 glorious days i have from my first job since i graduated last March. Hope you can help me spend my first-time escapade in Baguio a great one. I will really appreciate your good help. Greateful i found your thread, hope you can help a first timer like me. I wish i had a relative or friend living Baguio, and that going up to Baguio should have never been a very big problem to me.
Hope your can help me also with this lots of things i wanted to do like going to Camp John Hay, Session Road, Mines View Park, Philippine Military Academy, Burnham Park,Strawberry Fields, Riverside Hotel, do a Horse back riding and watch the Panagbenga.
Which will be better, renting a cab or just hopping on the jeepney’s to get to these places?
Thanks you so much. Hope you could help me with these. I am also open with anything that you can suggest. I know im asking too much you from you, but theres no harm in trying to asks all those questions which you think can help you, right?I will really appreciate your big help.
Thank you.
dear lisa:
I just want to add that Hacienda Luisita is in fact Tarlac City already. The sign board indicating Tarlac City is actually the last barangay of Tarlac which is Amucao, a few step and you are already in La Paz, Tarlac. If you are going to Tarlac City proper don’t be misled by the sign, you must exit at Luisita exit or you will encounter the inconvenient provincial road at the end of the exit. There are 4 public elementary schools that puts barricades on the road during weekdays, there are so many kuliglig (mini-tractors) tricycles, bicycles, peddlers, jeepneys, that ply this road and so many of them are devoid of light or illumination during the night. People and farm animals suddenly crossing the road. I’m very thankful that this year they got rid of the police checkpoint at the exit of the public cemetary in Amucao which is only there for added traffic. Not to mention the occasional parade for the deceased, and the annual barangay fiesta merrymakings of the barangays that you will cross before arriving Tarlac City proper.
The SCTEX management forgot to build exits between Luisita and the end of the SCTEX, which means that if you are at the end and decided to go back to Luisita for a snack or comfort room, DON’T. If you are coming from Cabanatuan or Baguio accessing the SCTEX-Tarlac City exit and planning to go to Luisita Park, DON’T. Be careful in exiting and entering this SCTEX-Tarlac City exit because of the confusing EXIT-ENTRANCE lanes, plus the lack of illumination in the evening.
thanks,
kent
Hi Isabel,
It might be better if you check out my travel site at http://www.gobaguio.com, all the info that you need should be there.
Hi Kent,
The reason I write Tarlac, Hacienda Luisita or La Paz is really so that the people will not be confused as to the different SCTEX exits in Tarlac. Of course Hacienda Luisita is part of Tarlac City, Tarlac province, but the reason I do not always recommend that is because there sometimes is so much traffic at the stoplight that the city has erected on McArthur Highway (which I think is as wrong as what Urdaneta has done). This is a National Highway and should not have stoplights.
Thank you for the Amucao info. There’s an earlier article in the blog advocating taking the Tarlac City exit, which is what I have found to be faster, despite all those impediments in what I call that “country road.” I have written often enough that I would not recommend passing there on Nov 1 weekend because of the cemetery. Neither will I recommend the La Paz exit on that weekend. The Hacienda Luisita exit is okay at night, in my opinion, when traffic in Tarlac City is lightest.
And for me, the whole point is to get folks to Baguio City faster, and driving the length of the SCTEX achieves that. I cannot wait until it extends to La Union so we can bypass Pangasinan too.