Suggested Pit Stops for the Manila to Banaue Route

Suggested Pit Stops for the Manila to Banaue Route

Manila to Banaue is a very long drive that ranges from 9-12 hours depending on the speed of the vehicle. If you're bringing your own vehicle, I suggest the following pit stops for this route.  Making these pit stops will make the long drive less tiring for everyone, especially when you have restless kids with you. 

The pit stops are spaced every two (2) hours. It's designed with kids in mind. You can, however, choose not to make the pit stops as frequently as every two (2) hours. But knowing where the next pit stop may be will help you decide whether you need to make the current stop

The Manila to Banaue route is actually a very simple road to take. You can divide it in several major roads to make it easier to remember.

Manila to Banaue (367 km via SCTEX)

1. First, from Manila, you need to reach the Balintawak toll plaza.

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2. After passing through the Balintawak toll plaza, you are now at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

3. Continue along the North Luzon Expressway till you reach the SCTEX exit (Exit 85) (73km from the Balintawak toll plaza)

Balintawak Toll Plaza to San Fernando Exit. (53km)

San Fernando Exit to Petron Lake Shore Gas Station (5km)

7:00 AM:

First pit stop: Petron Lakeshore Gas Station (57 km until the 2nd Pit Stop)

• this is the last pit stop before you enter the SCTEX. The SCTEX is approximately 35 km long and there are no pit stops along that length so you need to make a stop at this station.

4. After exiting at the SCTEX exit of the NLEX, go straight ahead (around 3 km until you reach the  Mabalacat interchange. At the Mabalacat interchange, turn right to go to Tarlac. (If you turn left, you will reach Subic and Clark airport)

UPDATED ROUTE BECAUSE OF THE OPENING OF THE TPLEX!!!: 

5. Continue along the whole SCTEX till you reach Tarlac Exit/Toll Plaza (Exit 228) (35 km)

6. When you reach the Tarlac Exit, turn right to go towards La Paz town proper and to Nueva Ecija.

8:00 AM:

Second pit stop: La Paz, Tarlac (59 km till the 3rd pit stop)

A.  Park and Grill Traveller's  Complex, where the Five Star bus company stops

•  this pit stop is 5.5 km from the SCTEX Tarlac Terminal Toll Plaza

B. Gas Stations along the Santa Rosa-Tarlac Road

7. Continue along the Santa Rosa-Tarlac Road until you reach the Zaragosa Municipal Cemetery to your right (13km from entering the Santa-Rosa Tarlac Road). About 260 meters from the cemetery is a forked road. Take the left fork and pass by Zaragosa Central School. Then turn left to reach the Zaragosa-Aliaga Road.

7. Continue along the Zaragosa-Aliaga Road (for around 7km) until you reach a fork. Turn left at the fork to enter the Aliaga-Guimba Road

8. Traverse the Aliaga-Guimba Road (for around 7.6 km) until you reach the Sto. Domingo-Licab Road. Turn right at the Sto. Domingo-Licab Road.

9. Continue along the the Sto. Domingo-Licab Road (for around 8.1 km) until you reach the Shell Station at the corner of the Sicsican-Sto. Domingo Road. Turn left toward the Nueva-Ecija Pangasinan Road

10. Continue along the Nueva Ecija-Pangasinan Road (for around 6 km) until you reach the Maharlika Highway.

Check out this post: My Banaue and Sagada Itinerary with Kids (Day 1: Manila to Kiangan) for the updated route using the TPLEX.


11. Continue along the Maharlika Highway for 144 km until you reach the fork at Tuao, Bagabag. Turn left to continue along the Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road.

You pass by the following towns and provinces and landmarks along the stretch of 144 km:

• Science City of Munoz
• Central Luzon State University
• San Jose City
• Dalton Pass (the zigzag road that connects Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya)
• Sta. Fe
• Aritao
• Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital at Bambang
• Bayombong
• Solano
• Welcome to Bagabag Arch
• Tuao

10:00 AM:
Third pit stop: San Jose City, Nueva Ecija (113 km till the 4th pit stop)
A. Shell Gas Station at Bonifacio St., San Jose City , Nueva Ecija
B. Jollibee at Maharlika Highway corner Bonifacio St., San Jose City, Nueva Ecija 
C. Chowking along Maharlika Highway, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija

Our pitstop: Marquez Restaurant in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija: A Great Meal Stop on the way to the Banaue Rice Terraces

1:00 PM-2:00 PM: LUNCH
Fourth pit stop: Solano town (69 km till Banaue)
A. McDonald's at Total Gas Station at Maharlika Highway, Solano
B. Mang Inasal at Maharlika Highway, Solano
C. Jollibee at Maharlika Highway corner Gaddang St., Solano
D. Greenwich at Centro Mall, Maharlika Highway corner Gaddang St., Solano
E. Chowking at Maharlika Highway corner A. Luna St., Solano

12. Continue along the Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road for 32 km until you reach a fork. Turn right to continue along the Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road.

You pass by the following towns and provinces and landmarks along the stretch of 58 km:

• Lamut
• Kiangan

Our accommodations in Kiangan: Ibulao Ibulao Bed and Breakfast at Kiangan, Ifugao: The Best Accommodations near the Banaue Rice Terraces

12. Continue along the Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mountain Province Road for 22 km until you reach Banaue.

You pass by the following towns and provinces and landmarks along the stretch of 22 km:

• Ifugao Provincial Capitol at Lagawe
• Ifugao Provincial Hospital

Our pitstop: The Gazebo Restaurant in Lagawe: A Great Meal Stop on the way to the Banaue Rice Terraces

4:00 PM:

arrival at Banaue

MAP

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   A    Balintawak Toll Barrier

   B    Petron Lakeshore

   C    SCTEX Exit

   D    SCTEX Mabalacat Interchange

   E   SCTEX Tarlac Terminal Toll Plaza

   F   Traveller's Complex, Santa-Rosa Tarlac Road

   G   San Jose City

   H   Solano town

   I   Banaue