The Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway was constructed to provide a more efficient transport corridor between Subic Bay Freeport, Clark, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac, foster development on the municipalities served, and connect major infrastructures such as the Subic Seaport and Clark International Airport.

Built by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), a government owned and controlled corporation, construction of the expressway started in 2005.

The opening of Zones B and C of the remaining Clark–Tarlac Segment on July 25, 2008, signaled the full operations of SCTEX.

The entirety of the SCTEX is built as a four-lane expressway mostly laid out on embankment, with some sections using cuts to traverse hilly areas.

Past the Clark Logistics interchange, its main destination changes to Tarlac City and Baguio.

The roadway runs at the boundary of Clark Freeport and Mabalacat city proper, where the Philippine National Railways (PNR) North Main Line to Dagupan and San Fernando, La Union also lies.

Past Tarlac City Exit, SCTEX becomes Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX) northward.

The contractors for the project are a joint venture of Kajima, Obayashi, JFE Engineering, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Subic-Clark segment, and a joint venture of Hazama, Taisei, and Nippon Steel for the Clark-Tarlac segment.

The indirect costs of ₱7.146 billion include land acquisition, consultancy services, project management expenses and taxes and duties.

In March 2016, the integration of the North Luzon Expressway and the SCTEX was completed, in time for the Holy Week exodus.

[13] Also, with the government's thrust towards toll road interoperability, Autosweep of the San Miguel Corporation which operates SLEX, Skyway, STAR Tollway, NAIAX, and TPLEX has been accepted as a mode of payment in SCTEx since March 2018.

[14] [15] The toll rates, by kilometer travelled and vehicle class are as follows: From 2016, the SCTEx has two service areas in Concepcion, Tarlac, north of the Sacobia River.

The southbound service area is composed of a Seaoil gas station and CityMall shopping mall.

Both service areas include a future expansion to accommodate additional retail and parking space.