On a scooter or any motorcycle under 400cc, the ride from Manila to Baguio uses MacArthur Highway, not NLEX, SCTEX or TPLEX, and then climbs Marcos Highway or Kennon Road. Tolled expressways admit only motorcycles of 400cc and above, and the Toll Regulatory Board treats that as an exact line. From Kilometer Zero in Manila, Baguio is about 248 km via Kennon Road and 283 km via Marcos Highway. Kennon was open to light vehicles only in the latest advisory we found, and it closes often. Only our Vulcan 650S can use the expressways, and one leg can exceed the 250 km a day included in every rental. The bike we recommend for it, the Honda ADV 160, rents for ₱1,200 a day.
Manila to Baguio by motorcycle at a glance
| Route for bikes under 400cc | MacArthur Highway north through Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan to La Union, then up to Baguio |
|---|---|
| Distance via Kennon Road | About 248 km from Kilometer Zero (Rizal Park), plus the ride from Makati |
| Distance via Marcos Highway | About 283 km from Kilometer Zero, plus the ride from Makati |
| Kennon Road status | Light vehicles only, one lane at Camp 2 and Camp 6, per DPWH-Cordillera on 29 September 2026. Check on the day you ride. |
| Expressway-legal bikes in our fleet | Kawasaki Vulcan 650S (649cc) only |
| Mileage included | 250 km a day. Extra mileage is a paid add-on. |
| Renting a suitable bike | ₱950–₱1,200 a day for a 155cc–160cc scooter · ₱2,900 for the Vulcan 650S |
The distances come from the kilometer posts on each road, which are measured from Rizal Park. Our stall in Makati is south of that, so add the ride into Manila to each figure. We do not give a riding time, because we could not find a reliable one for a scooter on MacArthur Highway. The highway runs through the center of town after town, and traffic in Bulacan and Pampanga can double any estimate. Plan on a full day in daylight.
Why scooters cannot take the expressway
DOTC Department Order 2007-38 sets a 400cc minimum for motorcycles on tolled expressways. The Toll Regulatory Board applies it exactly. Its 2018 directive states that 398cc and 399cc motorcycles “do not fall in the 400cc-and-above category” and are prohibited.
That rule shuts out every scooter in our fleet, from the Click 125 to the ADV 160. It also excludes two bikes people often assume are allowed. The Dominar 400 is 373cc and the Kawasaki Z400 is 398cc, so the name on the tank does not help either one. Our expressway rules guide covers the details, and the Dominar 400 guide explains why some marketing calls it expressway-legal when it is not.
The 649cc Vulcan 650S can run NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX up to La Union. Tolls on those roads are collected by RFID, so ask us whether the bike carries a working tag before you set out.
The MacArthur Highway route
MacArthur Highway, also called the Manila North Road, starts at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan. It runs north through Valenzuela, Meycauayan, Malolos and Calumpit in Bulacan, then San Fernando and Angeles in Pampanga. It continues through Capas, Tarlac City and Paniqui in Tarlac, Urdaneta and Sison in Pangasinan, and reaches Rosario in La Union. Every one of those is a town center with jeepneys, tricycles, trucks and market traffic, and your pace depends far more on that traffic than on the road.
Leave Makati before dawn so you are through Metro Manila and Bulacan before the morning rush builds. Take a proper break every 90 minutes or so, because fatigue catches up with you on the climb, not on the flat.
The climb: Marcos Highway, Kennon Road or Naguilian
Marcos Highway (the default)
The Aspiras–Palispis Highway, still called Marcos Highway, leaves MacArthur at Agoo and climbs 47 km to Baguio. It is longer than Kennon, but it is the road most motorists prefer. It was fully passable in September’s advisories while Kennon was restricted. If you are on a scooter with a passenger and luggage, this is the road to plan for.
Kennon Road (shortest, least predictable)
Kennon Road leaves MacArthur at Rosario and climbs 33.5 km. It is the shortest way up and the one most often restricted. In 2026 alone it was closed to non-residents from 3 August, reopened to light vehicles on 22 August, and was reported closed to non-residents again in early September. The latest DPWH-Cordillera advisory we found, from 29 September, has it open to light vehicles up to 5 tons. The Camp 2 bridge is out, with a one-lane detour, and traffic runs one lane at Camp 6 because of falling rocks. None of these advisories mention motorcycles specifically. Check the DPWH-Cordillera advisory on the morning you ride, and do not take Kennon in heavy rain.
Naguilian Road (the long way)
Naguilian Road leaves MacArthur further north at Bauang and climbs 39 km. Because Bauang is well past Agoo, it is the longest of the three overall. It was also fully passable in September. It makes sense if you are coming from the La Union coast or if both other roads are closed.
Best time to ride to Baguio
Avoid the southwest monsoon. PAGASA declared the start of the 2026 rainy season on 4 June, and the monsoon rain brought the landslide risk that closed Kennon to non-residents twice in August and September. For the rest of 2026, PAGASA expects one or two tropical cyclones in each of November and December. With a strong El Niño in place, it forecasts below-normal rainfall from December 2026 into January 2027. Those drier months are the better window, but check the forecast the week you go.
The Panagbenga flower festival runs through February into early March. In 2026 it opened on 1 February, held the grand floral parade on 1 March and closed on 8 March, with Session Road car-free for the final week. The 2027 dates had not been announced when we checked. Expect heavy traffic on every road up and full hotels. Book your rental and your room early, or go the week after.
Baguio also runs number coding in its central business district from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, by the last digit of the plate. Tourists are covered. The city’s announcements we found do not say whether motorcycles are included, so check before you ride downtown on a coding day.
What to rent for the Baguio ride
| Honda ADV 160 | Yamaha NMAX 155 | Dominar 400 | Kawasaki Vulcan 650S | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route | MacArthur | MacArthur | MacArthur | NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX |
| Transmission | Automatic | Automatic | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Fuel tank | 8.1 liters | 7.1 liters | 13 liters | 14 liters |
| Best for | Solo or two-up, rough patches | Comfort, two-up | Experienced riders, luggage | Experienced riders who want the expressway |
| Rent2Ride daily rate | ₱1,200 | ₱950 | ₱1,500–₱2,200 | ₱2,900 |
The Honda ADV 160 is our pick for most riders. It is automatic and has 165 mm of ground clearance for broken patches. Its 8.1-liter tank and claimed 45 km/L mean you are not hunting for fuel. Our ADV 160 guide has the full specs. The Yamaha NMAX 155 V2 is the comfortable alternative for two-up riding, at a lower rate.
If you ride a manual well, the Dominar 400 comes with a top box fitted and has a 13-liter tank, which suits a weekend away. It still takes MacArthur. The Vulcan 650S is the only fleet bike that skips the town traffic. It weighs 228 kg, though, which is hard work on Baguio’s steep, tight streets (see our Vulcan S guide).
A Click 125 will get there solo, but with a 5.5-liter tank, a passenger and bags on a long climb, it is not the bike we would choose.
Mileage: the 250 km question
Every Rent2Ride rental includes 250 km a day. Baguio via Marcos Highway is about 283 km from Kilometer Zero before you add the ride from Makati, so riding up in a single day goes past that day’s allowance. A round trip is around 500 km via Kennon and closer to 600 km via Marcos once you count the Makati legs and riding around Baguio.
Here is what our site says and what it does not. The rental requirements page says the 250 km daily limit applies and that “there is an option to select unlimited mileage for an additional charge.” The booking panel on each bike page lists an “Additional Miles” add-on, priced differently by bike. The site does not say whether the allowance is pooled across a multi-day rental, and it does not address out-of-town or provincial trips at all. So before you book, message us on WhatsApp at +63 960 245 4398 with your route and dates. We will confirm the trip and quote the mileage cost.
Safety and what to pack
- Helmets for both riders. RA 10054 requires a standard helmet for the rider and the passenger. One helmet comes with the rental, and a second is an add-on.
- Brakes on the way down. Use both brakes, and do not hold the rear brake for the whole descent. Scooters have little engine braking, and an overheated rear brake fades.
- Fog and rain. If cloud or rain closes in on the climb, ride with your lights on and slow down. A rain poncho is a rental add-on, and you will want one.
- A warm layer. Baguio is far cooler than Manila, especially at night and on an early start.
- Documents. Bring your license, your passport if you are visiting, and the OR/CR copy that comes with the bike. Visitors can ride on a home-country license for 90 days from arrival. Our IDP guide explains the rest.
- Fuel. MacArthur has stations in every town. Fill up at Agoo or Rosario before the climb, and plan to arrive before dark.
Book the right bike before you go
Rent2Ride Manila rents the Honda ADV 160 for ₱1,200 a day, the NMAX 155 V2 for ₱950, Dominar 400 units from ₱1,500 and the Vulcan 650S for ₱2,900. The full fleet page shows what is free on your dates. Every rental includes one helmet, a phone holder, 250 km of mileage a day and TPL insurance, with extra coverage available as an add-on. Fuel is same-to-same. A refundable deposit of ₱2,000–₱5,000 applies, and you surrender two valid government IDs at pickup. We are open daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM at Stall No. 9, Washington Street corner Urban Avenue, Makati. The rental requirements page has the full list, and the contact page is the place to confirm your route first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride a scooter from Manila to Baguio on NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX?
No. DOTC Department Order 2007-38 limits tolled expressways to motorcycles of at least 400cc, and the Toll Regulatory Board applies that as an exact minimum. Scooters, the 373cc Dominar 400 and the 398cc Z400 must use MacArthur Highway.
How far is Manila to Baguio by motorcycle?
About 248 km from Kilometer Zero at Rizal Park via Kennon Road, or about 283 km via Marcos Highway, based on the roads’ kilometer posts. Starting from Makati adds the ride into Manila.
Is Kennon Road open to motorcycles?
The latest DPWH-Cordillera advisory we found, from 29 September 2026, has Kennon Road open to light vehicles only, with one-lane sections at Camp 2 and Camp 6. It was closed to non-residents twice in August and September 2026, and the advisories do not mention motorcycles specifically. Check DPWH-Cordillera on the day, or take Marcos Highway.
What is the best motorcycle to rent for a Baguio trip?
For most riders, an automatic Honda ADV 160, with 165 mm of ground clearance and an 8.1-liter tank, at ₱1,200 a day. Experienced manual riders can take a Dominar 400, which comes with a top box. Only the 649cc Vulcan 650S can use the expressways.
Will a Baguio trip go over the rental mileage limit?
Probably. The rental includes 250 km a day, and one way via Marcos Highway is over 283 km from Kilometer Zero. Unlimited or additional mileage can be added for a charge. Message us with your route before booking so we can confirm the trip and quote the cost.
When is Panagbenga 2027?
The dates had not been announced as of 27 October 2026. The festival usually runs through February into early March. In 2026 it ran from 1 February to 8 March, with the grand floral parade on 1 March.
Sources
Expressway rule from Top Gear Philippines’ report on the TRB directive, 18 August 2018. Kilometer posts and road lengths from the route articles for Kennon Road, the Aspiras–Palispis Highway, Naguilian Road and MacArthur Highway. Kennon Road status from DPWH-Cordillera advisories as relayed by Baguio City Guide (29 September 2026) and 22 August 2026, and the Daily Tribune, 7 September 2026. Weather outlook from PAGASA via GMA News, 22 October 2026. Panagbenga 2026 dates from PhilSTAR Life. Baguio number coding from GMA Regional TV. Helmet requirement from Republic Act No. 10054. Bike specifications as verified in our guides to each model. All verified 27 October 2026. Rental rates, mileage terms and add-ons from our own live site on the same date.
