Marikina-Infanta Highway

A 117.5 km cross-island link from the edge of Metro Manila to coastal Quezon, best enjoyed as a full-day out-and-back or a one-way drive with an overnight.

Time to Drive: Point to point is 117.5 km, but travel time varies heavily with Metro Manila traffic, weekend leisure traffic, and weather in the mountains. Many people start early and treat it as a day drive with multiple stops.

Best Time to Go: Drier months generally give clearer views in the Sierra Madre and reduce landslip risk on mountain sections. Early mornings are calmer for both traffic and heat.

Getting there: The western start is at the intersection with Katipunan Avenue (N11/C-5) in Quezon City, where it continues from Aurora Boulevard. The eastern end is near Infanta at the junction with the Famy-Real-Infanta Road.

Costs: No tolls are mentioned in the route description for this highway, so costs are typically fuel, food, and any parking fees at stops. Expect higher fuel use on the climb and in stop-start city traffic.

Road conditions: Urban sections are divided highway with U-turn slots and marked bike lanes in parts; after Masinag it becomes an undivided mountain and provincial national highway with widths varying by area and ongoing widening in places. Watch for sharp curves and known accident-prone sections around Tanay.

The Marikina-Infanta Highway is also widely signed as the Marilaque Highway - an acronym for the areas it passes (Marikina or Manila, Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon). From the western end near Katipunan Avenue it runs through the Marikina Valley and up to Antipolo’s Masinag Junction, before climbing into the Sierra Madre and descending toward Infanta in Quezon province.

What makes it notable is how quickly the scenery changes: malls and dense city edges give way to foothills, ridge roads and long, curving mountain stretches that have become a weekend ritual for cyclists and motorcyclists. It is also a historically layered corridor: the road existed back to the American colonial era as part of Highway 55, was developed in the 1970s as the Marikina Diversion Road during the Marcos administration, and construction of the current highway began in 1993.

Drivers should treat it with respect. A curve near Palo Alto Subdivision in Tanay known as “Devil’s Curve” is specifically noted as a frequent accident site linked to dangerous riding stunts, and police-reported accidents have been recorded along the route in recent years.

• Quezon City (Katipunan) to Marikina (river crossing and junctions) (approx. 10-15 km) - The highway starts under the Katipunan Flyover as a continuation of Aurora Boulevard, curves by the junction with Andres Bonifacio Avenue, then crosses the Marikina River. Expect heavy city traffic and many turning movements.
• Marikina to Pasig and Cainta (retail strip) (approx. 10-15 km) - This is the built-up stretch where the road skirts city boundaries and runs past big-box retail and transport infrastructure. Plan for slowdowns at intersections and U-turn slots.
• Cainta to Antipolo (Masinag Junction) (approx. 10 km) - The approach to Masinag Junction is busy and access-heavy, connecting with major malls and the junction with Sumulong Highway. It is one of the most congested parts on weekends.
• Antipolo (Cogeo) to Tanay (foothills) (approx. 20-30 km) - After Masinag the character changes as the road begins to climb toward the Sierra Madre. This is where the “Marilaque” reputation starts - more curves, fewer urban stops, and more roadside viewpoints.
• Tanay to Palo Alto area (Devil’s Curve vicinity) (distance varies) - A concentrated set of sharper curves that is explicitly noted for frequent accidents. Drive defensively, avoid stopping on the road edge, and expect unpredictable behaviour from some road users.
• Tanay to Santa Maria, Laguna (mountain crossing) (approx. 20-30 km) - The route continues as an undivided provincial national highway with lane widths and shoulder quality varying by section. Weather can change quickly here, so keep speeds conservative.
• Santa Maria, Laguna to Infanta (descent to Quezon) (approx. 20-30 km) - The road trends down toward the lowlands as you near Infanta. The highway terminates just southwest of town proper at the junction with the Famy-Real-Infanta Road.

Clearer, drier weather is the main advantage for this route because the scenic value comes from mountain views and the road includes long, curving Sierra Madre sections. Starting early also reduces both Metro Manila congestion and the volume of weekend leisure traffic.

In wet conditions, expect reduced visibility and more hazards on the mountain stretches such as slick pavement, debris, and the possibility of small slips. Regardless of season, ride and stunt culture is documented on some curves, so keep a wide safety margin and avoid being pressured into higher speeds.

Most drivers begin from western Metro Manila via Quezon City: the signed start is at Katipunan Avenue (N11/C-5) where the highway continues from Aurora Boulevard. If you are coming from other parts of the metropolis, aim for the C-5 corridor or the Katipunan area and join the highway at its western terminus.

Car hire is simplest in Metro Manila (city locations and airports) and you can drive out and back the same day, or do it one-way and finish at Infanta with onward travel via the Famy-Real-Infanta Road. Many people drive west to east early in the morning to clear city traffic before the climb, then return before evening congestion.

Check licence and rental rules with local authorities or your rental agency before driving on the highway. Standard Philippine licence and rental requirements apply if you are hiring a car or motorbike.

No tolls are mentioned for this road in the route description provided. Fuel up before leaving the urban area if you prefer choice and price certainty, and follow local rules around U-turn slots, lane markings, and bike lanes on the western sections.

For an easy overnight, base yourself at the start-side cities in Quezon City or around Antipolo where accommodation choice is broad and you can start the climb early. If your goal is to finish the crossing rather than turn back, staying near Infanta positions you for onward travel on the Famy-Real-Infanta Road.

On weekends and holidays, day-trippers can increase traffic and demand for rooms in popular edge-of-metro areas, so book ahead if you have fixed dates. If you are travelling with a campervan, check in advance for suitable parking and site rules, as not all properties in built-up areas can accommodate larger vehicles.