Central Luzon
Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Guide 2026
CLLEX stands for Central Luzon Link Expressway (also known as CLEX), a 30.7-kilometer road running from the SCTEX/TPLEX interchange in Tarlac City to the Maharlika Highway in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. It is the Philippines' first toll-free expressway, maintained by the DPWH and requiring no RFID, ticket, or cash.
By Aditya AmanPublished Feb 7, 2026Editorial PolicyLives in the Philippines and has driven nearly every Luzon expressway with his family.Quick Facts
- Operator
- Department of Public Works and Highways
- DPWH
- Length
- 30.7 km
- Lanes
- 4 lanes (2 per direction)
- Speed Limit
- 100 km/h
- RFID System
- None (toll-free)
- Toll System
- Toll-Free
- Year Opened
- 2021
- Status
- Operational
Major Exits & Destinations
Key exits along CLLEX and the areas they serve.
| Exit | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Tarlac (SCTEX/TPLEX) | Tarlac City, SCTEX to Clark/Subic, TPLEX to Pangasinan and La Union |
| Zaragoza | Zaragoza, Aliaga, western Nueva Ecija |
| Cabanatuan (Maharlika Hwy) | Cabanatuan City, Pan-Philippine Highway, San Jose, Nueva Vizcaya |
CLLEX is toll-free, ₱0
There is no toll fee or RFID needed to drive the Central Luzon Link Expressway mainline. If you are continuing onto the connecting SCTEX or TPLEX, those are tolled, use the toll calculator to estimate that portion.
Expressways are exempt from number coding
The CLLEX mainline is not covered by MMDA UVVRP. However, entry and exit points in Metro Manila follow local coding rules during rush hours. Check today's number coding
About CLLEX
The Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX), widely known as CLEX, holds the distinction of being the first toll-free expressway in the Philippines. Built and maintained by the Department of Public Works and Highways rather than a private toll operator, the 30.7-kilometer, four-lane expressway runs east-west across the plains of Central Luzon, connecting Tarlac City in Tarlac with Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija. Its western terminus is a trumpet interchange with SCTEX and TPLEX just north of the Luisita area in Tarlac, while its eastern terminus ties into the Maharlika (Pan-Philippine) Highway in Cabanatuan. The first 18-kilometer section opened on July 15, 2021, and the final leg into Cabanatuan opened on March 31, 2026, completing Phase 1. By bypassing the congested MacArthur Highway and Cabanatuan-bound national roads, CLLEX cuts the Tarlac-to-Cabanatuan trip from roughly 70 minutes to about 20, opening a faster freight and commuter corridor for the Central Luzon agricultural belt. Because it is government-operated and toll-free, motorists pay nothing and need no RFID to drive the mainline, though those continuing onto the connecting SCTEX or TPLEX will still pass tolled barriers there. A planned Phase 2 would extend CLLEX eastward from Cabanatuan to San Jose, Nueva Ecija, with future links toward the North Luzon East Expressway.
Expressway Connections
CLLEX connects to the following expressways and major roads.
- SCTEX at Tarlac (trumpet interchange)
- TPLEX at Tarlac
- Maharlika Highway (Pan-Philippine Highway) at Cabanatuan
- Future: North Luzon East Expressway (NLEEX)
CLLEX Interchanges & Access Points
The Central Luzon Link Expressway has 3 main interchanges serving as entry and exit points along the expressway. There are no toll plazas, CLLEX is toll-free.
- Tarlac (SCTEX/TPLEX)
- Zaragoza
- Cabanatuan (Maharlika Hwy)
Travel Tips for CLLEX
- CLLEX is completely toll-free, no RFID, ticket, or cash is needed to use the mainline
- Load an Easytrip or Autosweep RFID anyway if you are continuing onto the connecting SCTEX or TPLEX, which do charge tolls
- The Tarlac end links directly to SCTEX and TPLEX, making CLLEX the fastest leg of the Manila-to-Nueva Ecija route via NLEX-SCTEX-CLLEX
- Fuel up before entering, CLLEX has limited roadside facilities compared with the older tolled expressways
Peak Hours
Weekday mornings 6-9 AM (westbound toward Tarlac/Manila) and late afternoons 4-7 PM (eastbound toward Nueva Ecija); heavier on Fridays and holidays
Emergency & Contact
CLLEX Live Traffic Update
See real-time traffic conditions, segment status, speed data, peak hours & route planner for CLLEX
EV charging near CLLEX
60 chargers nearby · 60 DC fast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CLLEX?
CLLEX stands for the Central Luzon Link Expressway, a 30.7-kilometer toll-free expressway connecting Tarlac City to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. It is maintained by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
What is CLLEX Expressway?
The CLLEX Expressway is the Philippines' first toll-free expressway, running east-west across Central Luzon between the SCTEX/TPLEX interchange in Tarlac City and the Maharlika Highway in Cabanatuan. It cuts the Tarlac-to-Cabanatuan trip from about 70 minutes to roughly 20.
Is CLLEX toll-free?
Yes. CLLEX is currently toll-free. There is no toll fee to use the mainline, and no RFID, ticket, or cash is required. It is built and maintained by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), not a private toll operator. Note that connecting expressways such as SCTEX and TPLEX do charge tolls, so load an RFID if you plan to continue onto them.
Do I need an RFID to use CLLEX?
No. Because CLLEX is toll-free, you do not need an Easytrip or Autosweep RFID to drive its 31km mainline. You only need RFID for the tolled expressways it connects to (SCTEX and TPLEX at the Tarlac end).
How long is the Central Luzon Link Expressway?
The Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) spans approximately 30.7 kilometers with 4 lanes (2 per direction). It is operated by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as a Toll-Free expressway. The speed limit is 100 km/h for cars.
Where does CLLEX start and end?
CLLEX runs east-west across Central Luzon. Its western end is a trumpet interchange with SCTEX and TPLEX in Tarlac City, and its eastern end connects to the Maharlika (Pan-Philippine) Highway in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. Major access points include Tarlac (SCTEX/TPLEX), Zaragoza, Cabanatuan (Maharlika Hwy).
What is the speed limit on CLLEX?
The speed limit on CLLEX is 100 km/h for cars. Always observe posted signs, as limits may be lower at interchanges and construction zones.
How much time does CLLEX save?
CLLEX cuts the Tarlac City-to-Cabanatuan trip from about 70 minutes on the old national roads to roughly 20 minutes, by bypassing congested town centers along the MacArthur and Cabanatuan-bound highways.
What is the emergency hotline for CLLEX?
For emergencies on CLLEX, call 911. For toll or account questions, contact DPWH Hotline: (02) 5304-3000.
Related Pages
EV Charging
Related Expressways
- SCTEX
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway