Asian Highway 26
Asian Highway 26, better known through various names like Maharlika Highway (Filipino: Daang Maharlika) and Pan-Philippine Highway, is a major north-south highway traversing the Philippines. While a journey from its termini at Laoag and Zamboanga can be done faster through a more direct route via Angeles, Manila, Batangas, Mindoro, Iloilo and Negros (and a possible additional stop in Cebu), Asian Highway 26 provides a more scenic route through various landscapes of the Philippines.
- This article is an itinerary.
Understand
The highway was proposed during Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, but some sections were constructed earlier. Asian Highway 26 forms 3,517 kilometers (2,185 mi) of highways in Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, excluding spurs and ferry connections. While it is a major north-south road, it bypasses other major points in the Visayas, which are rather served by road and ferry connections.
Prepare
The itinerary most covers travel by car. Since car rentals are rare outside major cities like Manila or Cebu, buses can serve as a convenient alternative to get around.
The highway is a more easterly route through Luzon, Samar and Leyte, and Mindanao. It takes over 45 hours to complete driving the route , if you do not stop for food or rest, or longer if travelling by bus. Conditions on the highway vary, from wide tolled expressways and avenues in Metro Manila and suburbs, to narrow meandering two-lane highways through the middle of small villages and towns.
It is unrealistic to drive for over a day without allowing any time for sightseeing and food dining. Rainy weather and typhoons can hamper trips if you travel during the monsoon season. Except for mountain passes or sections through rainforest, almost the entire route passes through barangays (small villages), so watch out for people crossing or tricycles using them (though technically illegal, these are very common in the countryside). Roadside services are far-flung in the countryside, so ensure you are prepared.