Pangasinan Expressway Guide 2026

The fastest route is NLEX → SCTEX → TPLEX. Take NLEX from Balintawak, continue to SCTEX at Dau, then enter TPLEX at La Paz. Exit at Urdaneta, Carmen, or Rosario depending on your destination. Total travel time: 3–3.5 hours.

The total toll from Balintawak to Urdaneta (TPLEX exit for Dagupan/Pangasinan) is approximately ₱870–₱950 for Class 1 vehicles, covering NLEX + SCTEX + TPLEX tolls combined.

Easytrip RFID covers the entire route — NLEX, SCTEX, and TPLEX all use Easytrip. You only need one RFID.

Budget ₱1,000–₱1,400 for a sedan round trip and ₱1,400–₱1,900 for an SUV. The expressway distance from Balintawak to Urdaneta is approximately 185 km one way via NLEX-SCTEX-TPLEX, plus local road driving to your destination. Add approximately ₱870–₱950 in tolls each way for total trip cost.

Leave Manila before 4 AM for a dawn arrival in Pangasinan. This avoids NLEX morning rush and gets you to Hundred Islands or Dagupan by breakfast. For Hundred Islands, early arrival is important as boat tours start at 6 AM and the best island-hopping light is before noon. Avoid traveling on the first day of Holy Week or long weekends — TPLEX traffic is heavy as both Baguio and Pangasinan-bound vehicles compete for lanes.

Exit TPLEX at Urdaneta or Carmen, then take the national highway to Alaminos City (about 45 minutes to 1 hour of local road driving). In Alaminos, proceed to Lucap Wharf, the jump-off point for Hundred Islands. Boat registration and environmental fees are paid at the wharf. Boats cost ₱1,500–₱2,500 depending on the number of islands you want to visit.

Five Star Bus and Victory Liner operate daily services from Manila (Cubao and Pasay) to Dagupan, Lingayen, and Alaminos. Fare ranges from ₱350–₱500 one way depending on the bus class. Travel time is 4-5 hours by bus. For Alaminos/Hundred Islands, take a bus to Dagupan and then a minibus or van to Alaminos (1 hour, ₱80–₱100).

Along the expressway, Tarlac City (SCTEX exit) is a good rest stop with fast food and gas stations. Once in Pangasinan, Dagupan is the bangus (milkfish) capital — try grilled bangus at the Dagupan public market or Bonuan Gueset seafood strip. In Calasiao, try their famous puto (steamed rice cake). Lingayen's beachfront has seafood restaurants with fresh catch.

Hundred Islands National Park offers island-hopping, snorkeling, cliff jumping at Governor's Island, zip-lining at Quezon Island, and helmet diving. Lingayen Beach has a long shoreline for swimming. The Manaoag Church is a major Catholic pilgrimage site. Bolinao has the Enchanted Cave (underground pool) and Cape Bolinao lighthouse. Dagupan celebrates the Bangus Festival every April.