Traveling, even by road, can be an exciting and enriching experience, but the long weekend drive can be overwhelming just to think about. All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (collectively known as Undas) are notorious dates for heavy traffic, and with the barangay elections between them and the actual weekend, everyone on the road will be looking at a bumper-to-bumper situation like no other. But planning ahead—and planning smart—can help motorists sidestep if not avoid the inconvenience.
Make it easier with Easytrip
Avoid fumbling for change and adding to the cash lane pile-up by utilizing your Easytrip RFID. If you’ve yet to embrace the convenience the RFID sticker can bring, finding a convenient location to get your Easytrip RFID sticker is effortless. Utilize Google Maps or the Easytrip Station Finder to locate an Easytrip RFID Station near you. While RFID installation is available at some toll plazas, visiting dedicated stations ahead of time is recommended for swift transactions and to dodge expressway congestion. Just fill out the Subscription Form, pay the initial load requirement (the RFID sticker and installation are free!), and you’re done!
Have all your key travel tools in order
Some things cannot be stressed enough—a First Aid kit, water, your power bank, and extra cash are all must-haves. There’s no denying that digital connectivity is equally essential for almost any situation, but especially travel. You can create an organized itinerary on your favorite trip-planning site, and have your preferred navigation app at the ready so you can stay on schedule. A travel companion app like MPT DriveHub helps users through real-time traffic alerts so you can either stick to your plan or make changes on the fly.
The app will be necessary at the toll plazas on NLEX around this time. Based on 2022 traffic trends, the northbound lines are expected to build on the afternoon of October 27, then peak the following morning; the projected southbound Undas traffic usually comes to a head at approximately 3 p.m. on both dates. In light of this, motorists who normally pay in cash are encouraged to make the shift, especially for the toll plazas already implementing the 100% RFID lanes:
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CALAX |
C5 Link |
NLEX-SCTEX |
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Laguna Blvd A |
Taguig Entry |
Ciudad de Victoria NB |
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Laguna Technopark |
Merville Entry |
Ciudad de Victoria SB |
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Laguna Blvd B |
Sta. Rita NB |
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Silang East |
Pulilan NB |
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Sta. Rosa (starting Oct. 16) |
Pulilan SB |
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Mamplasan Rotondo (starting Oct. 16) |
San Simon NB |
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San Simon SB Exit (starting Oct. 15) |
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Mexico |
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Dau SB |
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Dolores |
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SFEX |
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Tabang |
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Angeles |
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Balintawak (starting Oct. 15) |
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Porac (starting Oct. 15) |
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Floridablanca (starting Oct. 15) |
By October 16, the entirety of CALAX will have 100% RFID lanes.
Budget like a boss
One thing no one looks forward to is being hit with that “low balance” sign just before you drive away—this will not be the case when you link your Easytrip RFID account with MPT DriveHub. You can check your RFID balance and reload almost instantly, all in the same app. Doing this ahead of your trip allows you to properly budget your travel expenses.
Have a go-to pit stop
There are few things more frustrating on road trips than a stopover that doesn’t quite have everything you need, but a place like NLEX Drive & Dine is the place to be before you complete the last leg of the trip back to Metro Manila. With its many dining and retail options ready to cater to tired travelers and motorists, it’s also a great example of the kind of unique experience all MPT Mobility brands seek to provide, from gamifying recycling—effectively keeping the area free of single-use plastic litter—to a wide array of restaurants to satisfy almost any sudden craving.
Drive & Dine isn’t just any old pit stop, either. In the interest of providing a stellar standard of comfort to visitors, it is also a leisure center for the surrounding communities, complete with comfortable seating, clean restrooms, and incredible retail options: Crocs, USDS, Nike Factory Store, Levi’s Outlet Store, Oregon Premium Outlet, Casio Outlet Store, A+ Premium Tech Depot, Giordano, Fashion Rack, Jockey, and Miniso.
Know your emergency options
While no one wants to think about emergencies during their travels, it’s essential to be prepared for unexpected situations. On top of your emergency numbers and kits, the MPT DriveHub app also has a 24/7 emergency roadside assistance feature to help get you safely off or back on the road as soon as possible. Simply tap the Help button in the app and hit Call roadside assistance; finally, tap on the call icon for a roadside rescue, ASAP.
Get your free Easytrip RFID today at any Easytrip Station, and download MPT DriveHub today on Apple Store and Google Play to make the most of your long weekend drive, and follow NLEX Drive & Dine on Facebook and Instagram for their dining and retail updates.