Tired of the usual Baguio, La Union, or Batangas road trip? Here are six unexpected road trip destinations to try this holy week break.
We get it – Baguio’s weather and charm will always be timeless, and La Union’s waves will always call. But these popular destinations always come with a crowd and traffic – and when there’s traffic, everything becomes less enjoyable.
But what if there’s an alternative? Somewhere less expected, less crowded, but still drivable and packed with sights and stories waiting to unfold?
These are not your usual road trip destinations; these are spots where the drive itself becomes the getaway. You can chase the perfect angle for a volcano shot, roll your car into a ferry bound for an island loop drive, or head out to somewhere cold but less crowded than Baguio.
From volcanic views in Bicol to the quiet unexplored terrains of Quirino Province – here are six destinations in the Philippines that prove the best road trips don’t always follow the usual routes.
- DESTINATION: Marinduque Island: The Underrated Island You Can Road Trip Through
- DESTINATION: Bicol Region (Albay and Sorsogon): Volcano Views and the Scenic Southern Loop
- DESTINATION: Bocaray (Aklan – Caticlan): Land, Sea, and the Long Drive to Paradise
- DESTINATION: Pampanga: Short Drive But Rich in Tradition, Food, and History
- DESTINATION: Sagada: A Quiet Highland Escape Without the Baguio Crowd
- Off The Radar Pick: Quirino Province: Not on the Usual Map but Worth the Drive
DESTINATION: Marinduque Island
The Underrated Island You Can Road Trip Through
Tucked in between Luzon and Visayas, Marinduque is often overlooked – but it’s one of the few islands in the Philippines you can explore by car.
With old towns rich in heritage, quiet beaches, and roads winding along the coastline – it feels like the perfect setting for slow drives.
How To Get There: From Manila, you must drive to Lucena’s Dalahican Port (around 3 to 4 hours) and get a ticket to ride a RoRo with your car to Balanacan Port (which takes another 3 – 4 hours). Make sure to check the ferry schedule ahead of time and how much it costs to bring your car.
What To Do: Marinduque is basically one small loop that you can leisurely drive around in 2 – 3 days. The main roads on the island literally hug the coastline so expect to have a scenic drive.
You can drive through Boac’s heritage town and snack on some uraro cookies which is the island’s main delicacy, you can park by the beach and chill along Torrijos, and if you’re tired from driving around maybe head out to Sta. Cruz and hire a boat to Maniwaya Island.
If you’re here during Holy Week might as well go see the Moriones Festival a colorful, week-long religious and cultural celebration held annually during Holy Week
Recommended Spots To Visit:
- Boac Cathedral – a Spanish-era cathedral with a picturesque hilltop view
- Poctoy White Beach – clean shored and a mountain backdrop
- Malbog Sulfuric Hot Spring – super local thing to do, soak up your tired feet
Best Car For The Trip:
A compact SUV or a crossover is perfect – something easy to handle and ferry friendly, comfy to drive for long hours, but still light enough for some provincial narrow and unpaved roads. We’re thinking Toyota Rush, a Honda BR-V, or even a Mazda CX5. But if you’ve got a Jimny, this might be your main character moment.
DESTINATION: Bicol Region (Albay and Sorsogon)
Volcano Views and the Scenic Southern Loop
Whenever I bring people to my province, they comment about how good the roads are. Bicol, particularly Sorsogon, is super underrated. This trip is one for the long-haul drivers. It takes about 10 – 12 hours to get to Albay and another 2 – 4 hours to get to Matnog (the southernmost part of Luzon).
But Bicol is more than just Mayon Volcano – it’s a full-on driving experience that takes you through coastal roads, heritage towns, newly built diversion roads, and I would say some of the best beaches in Luzon. It’s a trip where – as they say – the journey is just as good as the destination.
How to Get There: From Manila, drive to SLEX, then continue to Quezon Province and into Bicol. The drive usually takes about 10 – 12 hours, depending on whether you take diversion roads or the usual old routes. Please be careful with signs since some diversion roads are not on maps yet.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can choose to drive through Bitukang Manok instead of taking the diversion road. After that, you’ll pass through ocean views, roads lined with coconut trees, and sleepy towns.
What To Do: Driving to Bicol is an adventure on its own, but once you hit Albay, it’s all about catching Mayon Volcano from every possible angle. Don’t miss a stop at Sumlang Lake—it’s the kind of place where you can just float (literally) on native rafts, grab a bite, and stare at Mayon like it’s a screensaver.
If you’re up for more, keep heading south into Sorsogon. The towns get quieter, the roads get longer, and the vibe turns into something straight out of a Filipino postcard—empty beaches, slow drives by the coast, and that small-town calm that just hits.
Make a quick stop in Barcelona to check out the old stone church by the sea. Then head to Paguriran Beach, where clear waters lead to a hidden lagoon just a short wade from shore.
Don’t forget to try local delicacies like Pili Candies, Pinangat, or Pancit Bato.
Recommended Spots To Visit:
- Sumlang Lake — for that epic Mayon reflection shot
- Quitinday Hills — Bicol’s version of Chocolate Hills
- Paguriran Lagoon, Sorsogon — saltwater lagoon with crystal clear water
- Barcelona Church — a seaside Spanish-era church in Sorsogon
- Daraga Church – built in 1772, this hilltop church is more than 100 years-old
Best Car For The Trip:
This one’s a long drive, so you’ll want something reliable and road trip-ready. A diesel SUV like the Isuzu mu-X, Ford Everest, or even an old reliable Innova will get you there in comfort—with room for snacks, friends, and pasalubong.
DESTINATION: Bocaray (Aklan – Caticlan)
Land, Sea, and the Long Drive to Paradise
You’ve flown here and maybe even taken a ferry, but what if you drove to Boracay or Caticlan Port? Yes, it’s possible it hits differently.
Whether you’re considering the slow scenic route through Mindoro or a quicker overnight ferry from Batangas to Caticlan – getting there by car turns the journey into half the fun.
How To Get There: There are two routes that you can take, depending on your vibe and patience.
Route 1: The LONGER Scenic Southern Crossing
You drive to Batangas Port and take a RoRo to Calapan Port. Then once in Mindoro take a scenic drive to Roxas Port then take another RoRo to Caticlan Port.
Route 2: The DIRECT 12 Hour Ferry Ride
You drive to Batangas Port and take a RoRo directly to Caticlan. Ferries on this route usually leave late afternoon or early morning, so plan accordingly.
Note that you can only drive to Caticlan Port and have to leave your car on the mainland then take a boat to Boracay Island. There are usually secured parking lots near the jetty port just ask around the area.
What To Do: Skip the crowd and head out to Puka Beach for a lazy and relaxing afternon. If you want a bit of an exercise do the Boracay loop via a rented bicycle, usually takes about half a day to finish the whole island.
Get a foot or back massage then lounge along White Beach – perfect place to watch the sunset is at Paraw Beach Club or Mai Tai Beach bar. Alternatively you can rent a paddle board and watch the sunset far away from the crowds.
If you’re feeling a little bit more extra, book a dinner reservation at Shangri-la Boracay Sirena Restaurant for a romantic dinner.
Recommended Spots To Visit:
- Puka Beach — a chill alternative to White Beach, great for watching the waves
- Keyhole Viewpoint — a dramatic rock formation you can bike to or ride an e-trike
- Willy’s Rock — nothing says you’re at Boracay than taking a photo here
- Sirena, Shangri-la Boracay – for a romantic dinner overlooking Shangri-la Hotel
- Mandala Spa – relaxing spa experience inside an exclusive compound
Best Car For The Trip:
You’ll want something comfy for long stretches and ferry transfers. A mid-size SUV or crossover like the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, or even a pickup if you’re hauling beach gear is ideal. Bonus points if it has cruise control and good sound for your road trip playlist.
DESTINATION: Pampanga
Short Drive But Rich in Tradition, Food, and History
If you do not want to travel far but still experience a good dose of history and Holy Week celebrations you might want to opt for Pampanga. During the Holy Week, Pampanga becomes more than just a culinary destination – it transforms into a full-on cultural experience.
Whether you’re here for the Via Crucis processions, the dramatic Senakulo reenactments, or just to escape Manila without going too far, this drive gives you history, heritage, and a lot of lechon and sisig.
How To Get There: From Manila it’s an east 2-3 hours drive through NLEX. You can exit through San Fernando or Mexico if you’re heading to the center of Pampanga.
What To Do: Eat a lot of lechon and sisig – that’s it! Food is the epicenter of the culture and traditions in Pampanga. Time your visit during Good Friday, and you’ll be treated to an intense show of the traditional self-flagellation and crucifixion enactments in San Pedro Cutud.
If you also want something more peaceful you can opt to drive to old churches like San Guillermo and Betis – a good reminder of Pampanga’s spanish architectural influence and resilience during the Pinatubo eruption.
Aling Lucing’s sisig is a must-try further down in Angeles. Drive to San Fernando for authentic Kapampangan home-cooked meals at Everybody’s Cafe.
If you want farm-to-table rustic chic, you can also go upscale at Apag Marangle or Bale Dutung.
Recommended Spots To Visit:
- San Guillermo Church in Bacolor — a half-buried church swallowed by lahar during the Pinatubo eruption
- Betis Church (Guagua) — the “Sistine Chapel of the Philippines” with jaw-dropping ceiling art
- San Pedro Cutud (San Fernando) — the site of the real-life crucifixions held every Good Friday
- Clark Parade Grounds — for a breather or a picnic stop if you’re looping through Angeles
Best Car For The Trip:
Any sedan or crossover will do fine for this drive—it’s highway cruising. But if you plan to hop from town to town and try every restaurant that makes you do a U-turn, you’ll want something nimble and efficient. Think Honda City, Geely Coolray, or even a Territory for that slight SUV edge.
DESTINATION: Sagada
A Quiet Highland Escape Without the Baguio Crowd
If you’re up for a long drive and want cooler weather but hate the Baguio crowd – Sagada is your calm in the chaos.
Situated deep into the Mountain Province, this cool-weather escape offers the same pine-scented air and dramatic views—but without the crowd and traffic. The best part? The drive getting there winds through rice terraces, cliffside roads, and sleepy towns where time slows down.
How To Get There: There are two options to get to Sagada and will take about 10 – 12 hours to get there.
Option 1: The more common route is you drive from Manila to Baguio then maybe take a short rest then head to Sagada via Halsema Highway
Option 2: You can also drive from Manila directly to Banaue then go straight to Bontoc and then Sagada
Make sure to have a full tank, good tire pressure and check your brakes since it’s mostly downhill, uphill, or winding along steep parts.
What To Do: If you arrive early in the morning you can go directly to Kiltepan Viewpoint to watch and sea of clouds and the sunrise – make sure to have a cup of coffee in hand as it can get really cold.
Afterwards you can walk through town and chill buy some locally made jams and woven items. Gaia Cafe and Sagada Brew are both perfect for lazy mornings.
If you’re feeling adventurous you can do a light hike to Bomod-ok Falls or Lumiang Caves.
Recommended Spots To Visit:
- Kiltepan Viewpoint — wake up early for the iconic sea of clouds
- Lake Danum — peaceful sunset spot you can drive to with minimal walking
- Echo Valley Hanging Coffins — a short walk from the town center
Best Car For The Trip:
Sagada is not for the faint of suspension. You’ll want a vehicle with solid torque for climbs, strong brakes, and good ground clearance for those winding, semi-rugged roads. Think Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, or even a Strada if you’re going pickup-style.
Off The Radar Pick: Quirino Province
Not on the Usual Map but Worth the Drive
Tell me where Quirino Province is without looking at any maps. I bet you 95% of you do not know where it is. And that’s exactly why it deserves a spot on this list.
Land locked in between Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, and Isabela it doesn’t have the usual beach spots or big tourist attractions. Instead it offers you raw natural beauty and empty roads.
How To Get There: From Manila, you’ll drive 8 to 10 hours north via NLEX and SCTEX, then pass through Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya.
The roads leading into Quirino are surprisingly smooth, with long scenic stretches through mountains, valleys, and quiet farmlands. It’s the kind of drive that makes you forget to check your phone.
What To Do: Drive to Silitan River and float down the river on bamboo rafts. You can visit the Aglipay Caves for some exploring. Then drive up to Landingan Viewpoint and take in the untouched beauty of the province. No crowds. No lines. Just views.
Don’t expect Starbucks. Bring your own snacks, and fill up your tank before entering Quirino proper. This is real rural energy.
Recommended Spots To Visit:
- Siitan River, Nagtipunan — bamboo rafting on glassy waters between limestone cliffs
- Aglipay Caves and Campsite — a low-key cave network with beginner-friendly spots
- Landingan Viewpoint — rolling hills, perfect for sunrise or a quick drone shot
- Our Lady of Lourdes Church (Aglipay) — small-town charm, quiet, and well-kept
Best Car For The Trip:
For Quirino’s mix of smooth highways and off-grid viewpoints, you’ll want something that can handle both comfort and a bit of dirt. A Subaru Forester or Mazda CX-5 gives you a smooth, quiet ride on long stretches but still holds its own when the road gets patchy. Want something more rugged? A Jeep Renegade or Wrangler turns the whole province into a playground.
Final Gear: Your Next Road Trip Isn’t on the Usual Map
Escaping the city doesn’t always require a plane ticket – it can start with a curious spirit, a full tank, and a playlist that hits just right for long drives.
So next time you’re craving for some driving adventure – skip the usual route, skip the crowds, skip the trends and hit the road with zero expectations. Because sometimes, the best stories come from drives that you almost didn’t take.
Just follow the road – VROOM’s got your back!