Bulacan Expressway Guide 2026

NLEX has several exits in Bulacan: Meycauayan exit, Marilao exit, Bocaue exit, Balagtas exit, Tabang exit, and Pulilan exit. Each exit connects to major Bulacan towns and commercial areas.

The NLEX toll from Balintawak to Bocaue is approximately ₱68 for Class 1 vehicles. Bocaue is one of the closest exits from Manila on NLEX.

NLEX uses Easytrip RFID. Make sure your Easytrip account has sufficient balance before entering the expressway.

Bulacan is very close to Manila via NLEX. A round trip from Balintawak to Meycauayan costs only ₱50–₱80 in fuel for a sedan. To Bocaue, budget ₱80–₱120 round trip. To Malolos or Pulilan (farthest Bulacan NLEX exits), budget ₱120–₱180. Toll fees are ₱35–₱100 each way depending on the exit.

NLEX through Bulacan is heavily used by commuters. Avoid the Balintawak entry between 7-9 AM and 5-8 PM on weekdays. The Meycauayan and Marilao exits see the worst congestion due to nearby factories and malls. On weekends, traffic is lighter — mornings are generally smooth. If visiting Bocaue outlets, arrive before 10 AM on weekends.

NLEX through Bulacan can be congested during peak hours, particularly between Meycauayan and Bocaue exits. The Tabang area often slows down due to truck traffic from industrial zones. Using Skyway Stage 3 from Buendia connects directly to NLEX at Balintawak, bypassing EDSA traffic. Outside rush hours, the drive through Bulacan on NLEX is fast — Balintawak to Bocaue takes only 15-20 minutes.

Multiple bus lines and UV Express vans run from Manila to Bulacan towns. From Cubao or Monumento, take buses going to Malolos, Bocaue, or Meycauayan. Fare is ₱30–₱80 depending on the destination. Jeepneys operate along MacArthur Highway (the old national road parallel to NLEX). The future Manila-Bulacan railway line will further improve connectivity.

Bocaue exit leads to Premium Outlets (factory outlet mall with branded goods at discount prices). Marilao has Robinsons Place Marilao and SM Marilao for dining and shopping. For local food, try Santa Maria's famous chicharon (pork crackling) — roadside stalls sell fresh bags for ₱100–₱200. Malolos has historic restaurants near the town plaza serving Bulacan specialties like ensaimada and pastillas de leche.

The Barasoain Church in Malolos is where the First Philippine Republic was established in 1899 — it is a National Historical Landmark with a museum. The Malolos Casa Real (Provincial Capitol) is a Spanish-era building. In Baliuag, the Baliuag Museum showcases local heritage. Bulacan is also known as the Fireworks Capital of the Philippines, centered in Bocaue, where you can see pyrotechnics factories and buy fireworks (subject to seasonal regulations).