These highways, however, are mostly single and dual carriageways with many U-turn lanes and intersections slowing down traffic.

Coupled with the increase in the number of vehicles and the demand for limited-access highways, the Philippine government requested the government of Japan to conduct a master plan for the development of a high standard highway network in 2009 under the Philippine Medium-Term Public Investment Plan (2005–2010).

[3] The plan calls for the promotion of national integrity by strengthening the Philippine Nautical Highway System linking roads and ferries, the decongestion of traffic in Metro Manila, and the improvement of accessibility to main tourist spots, among others.

[4] Traffic laws on expressways are defined by the Limited Access Highway Act and Department of Public Works and Communications (DPWC) Administrative Order No.

They are highways with controlled-access, normally with interchanges and may include facilities for levying tolls for passage in an open or closed system.

[8] Standard features of Philippine expressways include guard rails, rumble strips, signs and pavement markings, solid wall fence, speed radars, toll plaza, closed-circuit television and rest and service areas.

[9] The first elevated toll road in the Philippines is the Skyway, with its construction consisting of numerous sections called "stages".

[10] The Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway, from Santo Tomas to Lipa in Batangas was opened in 2001 and was extended in 2008.

All the expressways in the Philippines are privately maintained under concession agreements either with the Department of Public Works and Highways or the Toll Regulatory Board through build–operate–transfer (BOT) arrangements.

Electronic toll collection (ETC) is first implemented on the Skyway and South Luzon Expressway, using transponder technology branded E-Pass.

Cashless toll collections on all expressways are on a dry run since 2023,[15] aiming for full implementation in 2025.

Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation-operated expressways such as NLEX, SCTEX, and CAVITEX offer rebates ranging from ₱16 to ₱156.