Driving to Baguio at Midnight

[butchik]

Hello everyone!

Need your input po. My family and I will be spending the holidays in Baguio (somewhere on Mission Drive). We'll be coming from Marilao, Bulacan. Some people we've spoken to, suggested we leave at 12 midnight or 2 AM.... to avoid traffic. I know it is too risky to travel at night, but we are traveling in a convoy of 3. Any tip on what's the shortest and safest route please? (I heard there is C2 hiway). I have Garmin installed on my phone, but don't want to rely on it too much (wish there was a latest map I could download somewhere). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[vinj]

If you're travelling at night, just take NLEX - SCTEX - Luisita Exit - Mc Arthur Highway then Kennon or Marcos Highway. The back roads may not be too safe at night and there's no traffic anyway.

You can also choose to leave around 4am, you should be in Baguio by 9am with easy driving and traffic isn't that bad either.

There are some roadworks in Urdaneta and after Sison, then on Kennon Road so be aware as these may be unmarked.

[ghosthunter]

Hello everyone!

Need your input po. My family and I will be spending the holidays in Baguio (somewhere on Mission Drive). We'll be coming from Marilao, Bulacan. Some people we've spoken to, suggested we leave at 12 midnight or 2 AM.... to avoid traffic. I know it is too risky to travel at night, but we are traveling in a convoy of 3. Any tip on what's the shortest and safest route please? (I heard there is C2 hiway). I have Garmin installed on my phone, but don't want to rely on it too much (wish there was a latest map I could download somewhere). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I concur with the suggestion of VINJ. In my previous years of going to Baguio at this trime of year, leaving at between 4 and 5 am was the best since you would avoid the heaviest traffic areas by 7am. You'll be in Baguio by 9 or 10am depending on the stops you make.

[KIANTOT]

Agree what have said from above, also you can leave as much as early at 3am to be sure to avoid the traffic because at this season there will be a lot of people going there, I think 9-10am in baguio is already traffic and difficult to find better parking, you can stop over at shell gas station before kennon if it still dark and wait for the sunrise, it's better to be in the kennon road at 6am then you will be in the baguio city around 7am.

[ghosthunter]

Agree what have said from above, also you can leave as much as early at 3am to be sure to avoid the traffic because at this season there will be a lot of people going there, I think 9-10am in baguio is already traffic and difficult to find better parking, you can stop over at shell gas station before kennon if it still dark and wait for the sunrise, it's better to be in the kennon road at 6am then you will be in the baguio city around 7am.

Personally I prefer taking Marcos Hiway for the final climb up to Baguio. Although the view might not be as great, (and you don't get to see the giant lion head), Marcos Hiway is safer and tends to close less often (due to landslides, etc). But I also stop at the SHELL station (for a short rest, toilet break and some fuel) before heading up Marcos to Baguio.

[KIANTOT]

Personally I prefer taking Marcos Hiway for the final climb up to Baguio. Although the view might not be as great, (and you don't get to see the giant lion head), Marcos Hiway is safer and tends to close less often (due to landslides, etc). But I also stop at the SHELL station (for a short rest, toilet break and some fuel) before heading up Marcos to Baguio.

The Marcos Hiway is the convinient way going up to baguio because of the wider roads (if you don't mind seeing the lion's head)
I heard also they have coding scheme in baguio, is there anybody encounter this one? is this scheme applies to all vehicle even you are from manila?

[Gumusut_Amige]

The Marcos Hiway is the convinient way going up to baguio because of the wider roads (if you don't mind seeing the lion's head)
I heard also they have coding scheme in baguio, is there anybody encounter this one? is this scheme applies to all vehicle even you are from manila?

yes color coding is implemented but during holiday season it's suspended usually.

agree to use marcos hiway (called aspiras hiway now) especially if you are not familiar with kennon road. enjoy your holiday and drive safe bro.

[Hanren]

The Marcos Hiway is the convinient way going up to baguio because of the wider roads (if you don't mind seeing the lion's head)
I heard also they have coding scheme in baguio, is there anybody encounter this one? is this scheme applies to all vehicle even you are from manila?

The number coding scheme is SUSPENDED from Dec 19, 2011 til Jan 2, 2012 so tourists can tour around unhampered and locals can do their shopping this Christmas season.

At present, there are road works that are ongoing in several parts of Marcos Highway. You will just be caught by surprise by one way portions as they have recently performed "re-blocking" of some "good" portions of the road. There's another portion where there's a road erosion. Just be careful especially at night.

You can leave by either 1 or 2 am. By 6 or 7 am, you are already in Baguio. There's no traffic by this time since schools are already in their Christmas breaks. Traffic is usually heavy at around 5 pm onwards especially around the central business distric (i.e. around SM, Session road, etc).

Have a nice and safe trip.

[Noel Salisipan]

The shortest route is the Mc-arthur highway but the road is much busy plus the construction.
Unlike Romulo highway-Dagupan-Quezon highway is longer by around 30Km.

From Quezon highway, you can freely choose Aspiras or Kennon (if not raining) highway.

2PM is ideal from your origin, at around 5am you are about to climb to Baguio.

Happy trip & have a safe journey!

[frequenzy]

suggestion ko lang is kung di ka pa masyado sanay magdrive then mas ok sa marcos highway. wider roads at hindi ganun ka steep compared sa kennon. drawback is mas mahaba siya sa kennon road. mahirap sa kennon magovertake since 2lane lang siya and madalas marami trak na may kargang bato.

[yebo]

suggestion ko lang is kung di ka pa masyado sanay magdrive then mas ok sa marcos highway. wider roads at hindi ganun ka steep compared sa kennon. drawback is mas mahaba siya sa kennon road. mahirap sa kennon magovertake since 2lane lang siya and madalas marami trak na may kargang bato.

baliktad yata sir, mas steep ang marcos kesa sa kennon. ang marcos matarik ang daan, ang kennon prone to land slides pag umuulan.

dami road repairs sa marcos highway na ongoing, trapik dun.

[butchik]

baliktad yata sir, mas steep ang marcos kesa sa kennon. ang marcos matarik ang daan, ang kennon prone to land slides pag umuulan.

dami road repairs sa marcos highway na ongoing, trapik dun.

Hi Sir, ganon po ba? Last december nag Marcos Highway kami. Mukhang okay naman. Di ako nahirapan. I always had this impression that Kennon is far too steep for me. So we used Marcos highway then, during our climb up to baguio and in going down to Manila. So far, kaunti na lang ang napansin kong road repairs and we never encountered any traffic at all during that time. Just not sure if I'll be caught on traffic there next week. I drive and do a lot of road trips using either stick shift SUV or automatic, but next week, I'm driving the automatic. So do you think a female like myself can handle Kennon Road for the final climb up, with the automatic cruiser? Just a thought.

Since we're going to push it hard, leaving Manila at 3AM for Baguio, then head back down the same day to Poro Point. In going down to San Fernando, La union, which way is closer to Thunderbird, Poro Point? Is it Marcos highway or Kennon road? (btw thanks for your PM again sir yebo)

I want to arrive as early as 7Am sana in Baguio so we could go back down and be early for our check in at Thunderbird around 2PM. Kaso I worry that if we leave earlier than 3AM malamang mag aantay din lang kami mag open ang SCTEX at 5:30AM? Is that right?

[Hanren]

Hi Sir, ganon po ba? Last december nag Marcos Highway kami. Mukhang okay naman. Di ako nahirapan. I always had this impression that Kennon is far too steep for me. So we used Marcos highway then, during our climb up to baguio and in going down to Manila. So far, kaunti na lang ang napansin kong road repairs and we never encountered any traffic at all during that time. Just not sure if I'll be caught on traffic there next week. I drive and do a lot of road trips using either stick shift SUV or automatic, but next week, I'm driving the automatic. So do you think a female like myself can handle Kennon Road for the final climb up, with the automatic cruiser? Just a thought.

Since we're going to push it hard, leaving Manila at 3AM for Baguio, then head back down the same day to Poro Point. In going down to San Fernando, La union, which way is closer to Thunderbird, Poro Point? Is it Marcos highway or Kennon road? (btw thanks for your PM again sir yebo)

I want to arrive as early as 7Am sana in Baguio so we could go back down and be early for our check in at Thunderbird around 2PM. Kaso I worry that if we leave earlier than 3AM malamang mag aantay din lang kami mag open ang SCTEX at 5:30AM? Is that right?

Kennon road has significantly improved. If you are in Baguio, the best route would be to take Naguilian road in going down to San Fernando. From Naguilian road, you will exit at Bauang tow, then San Fernando. This is much close to your destination than both Marcos Highway and Kennon.

But if you really mind the road quality (it still is not as good as the other mentioned roads), then take Marcos highway but do not take the Pugo road and instead, head towards Tubao, Agoo, then Bauang and San Fernando. Thunderbird is just along the National Highway.

[Gumusut_Amige]

^^^ all the damaged roads in Naguilian road were already completed, pero mas maraming twist and turn ang road na ito kumpara sa Aspiras hiway at Kennon road. hanren is right, it's the shortest route to thunderbird. baguio to poro point (thunderbird) is about 1-1/2 hour drive away. using aspiras (marcos) hiway - plus almost another 30 minutes, while using kennon road will almost be another 1 hour.

[butchik]

Thank you for all your thoughtful replies. What about going back to Manila coming from Baguio? What would be the best route and time? Have a safe holiday everyone!

[vinj]

If you're driving down during the day, you can take the "Magilas Trail" route which will make you avoid Urdaneta City then rejoin Mc Arthur Highway at Rosales/Villasis.

The longer back road is what i usually take during peak travel periods (daytime only): myManila » Magilas Trail

This is around 20kms longer although it has no traffic, has good roods but has no bathroom/rest areas either.

Enjoy your trip and, for me, the drive has always been part of the fun for us when we go up to Baguio (whether we're pushing it hard or doing a relaxed drive).

[butchik]

Thank you, Sir Vinj. You've been very helpful. I am quite excited and looking forward to the fun part of DRIVING!! Merry Christmas to you and to the rest of the members here.

[butchik]

Sir, Just a follow-up question. How do we enter Magilas Trail from Baguio?

[ghosthunter]

Sir, Just a follow-up question. How do we enter Magilas Trail from Baguio?

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[imogen]

sir if I may suggest, if you're not in a hurry on your way home, why not pass by Thunderbird in La Union, it's really good also. You can take Naguilian road from Baguio, then maybe 30 - 40 mins away lang Thunderbird non. Then on your way back dire-diretso nalang yon.