Santo Tomas

The traffic on the road between the SLEX exit and the entrance to the Star Toll was likewise light. The stretch is about 5 kilometers. I always have to keep an eye out for the sign to turn right onto the Star Toll. The signs are posted immediately before the turnoff and easy to miss if you are going at a fast clip. There are a number of industrial estates along this stretch that can cause some buildup during weekdays. On this particular trip, the police had an inspection roadblock for Manila-bound vehicles which caused the traffic to backup considerably. I wonder who or what they were looking for?

Star Toll Turnoff

Star Toll Entry

The first exit on the Star Toll is the Sambat Exit that takes you to the lakeside town of Talisay where there is a turnoff that leads to Tagaytay up a well paved but steep and curvy road. This is a good alternative when traffic is extra heavy on the traditional routes. After the climb you will find yourself close to the Tagaytay Picnic Grove. Talisay, by the way, is where you can hire boats to go to the Taal Volcano island. There are several resorts along the lakeside road including the Taal Yatch Club. You will emerge in Lemery if you follow this road to the end. I make reference to this route later approaching from the opposite end of the road.

Sambat Exit

Star Toll Road

The star toll is a pleasure to drive. It is well paved and traffic is always light. The road climbs and dips making driving interesting. The countryside also opens up in all its green glory. There are a number of exits to places unknown that are so tempting to explore but keep an eye out for the exit before the end of the toll way. You will want to take the Batangas exit and not the Lipa exit which will bring you to Lipa proper with its city-style traffic. There is a break in the road where you will have to make a short U-turn crossing the opposite lane onto the exit toll plaza bringing you back to the national highway on which you turn right going towards Batangas City.

Star Toll Exit

Lipa Road

Batangas, Philippines