Asian Highway 26
Photo: Lloyd Intalan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Asian Highway 26 (AH26), better known through various names like Maharlika Highway (Tagalog: Daang Maharlika; Cebuano: Dalang Halangdon) and Pan-Philippine Highway, is a major north-south highway linking the Philippine islands of Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao. While a journey from its termini at Laoag and Zamboanga City can be done faster through a more direct route via Angeles, Manila, Batangas, Mindoro, Iloilo and Negros (and a possible additional side trip to Cebu), AH26 provides a more scenic route through various landscapes of the Philippines.
UnderstandThe highway was proposed during Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, but some sections were constructed earlier.
PrepareThe itinerary most covers travel by car, but car rental is seldom found outside the large cities.
Get inThe trip can be started anywhere in the Philippines, either from Luzon or the Mindanao side.
GoDistance along AH26 are measured from a symbolic milestone at Manila's Rizal Park (where AH26's western alternate route passes through).
Stay safeSee driving in the Philippines. Parts of the route in Mindanao remain unsafe as of May 2025 due to insurgencies.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Asian Highway 26" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Lloyd Intalan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons