Holy Week is one of the busiest travel periods in the Philippines, and this year many motorists are heading into it with two problems at the same time: heavier travel demand and much higher fuel prices.

Authorities are already preparing for a major travel surge from 28 March to 5 April 2026, with Maundy Thursday falling on 2 April 2026 and Good Friday on 3 April 2026. For families planning an out-of-town drive, that means more congestion, longer travel times, and more fuel burned in traffic.

At the same time, the latest reported fuel-price adjustments pushed gasoline up by about ₱12.90 to ₱16.60 per litre and diesel up by about ₱20.40 to ₱23.90 per litre, depending on the brand. Media reports citing the Department of Energy said Metro Manila pump prices could be around ₱76 to ₱96 per litre for gasoline and ₱94 to ₱114 per litre for diesel after the increase.

That means this year’s Holy Week trip may not just feel more expensive. For many families, it will be.

What are drivers paying per litre now?

Based on the latest reported ranges after the recent adjustments, motorists in Metro Manila could be looking at roughly:

1. Gasoline: around ₱76 to ₱96 per litre
2. Diesel: around ₱94 to ₱114 per litre, with some stations already breaching ₱100/L

Even before adding tolls, food, parking, and holiday spending, fuel alone can already take a noticeable bite out of a family’s budget.

What does that mean for a typical Holy Week trip?

Let’s use a simple example. If your family is taking a 400 km round trip this Holy Week and your gasoline car averages 10 km/L, you will use about 40 litres of fuel.

At ₱76/L, the fuel cost alone would be about ₱3,040. At ₱96/L, the same trip would cost around ₱3,840 in gasoline.

Now take a diesel vehicle averaging 12 km/L on the same 400 km round trip. That journey would use about 33.3 litres.

At ₱94/L, that is roughly ₱3,130. At ₱114/L, it rises to about ₱3,796.

Using the reported increase range alone, the latest adjustment could add roughly ₱516 to ₱664 to a 400 km gasoline trip, and around ₱680 to ₱797 to a 400 km diesel trip. That is why many motorists are now asking a more practical question: what can we realistically cut down on?

1. Cut down on unnecessary trips

A lot of fuel gets spent before the actual holiday drive even starts. Separate runs for groceries, forgotten items, and last-minute errands can quietly add to your total fuel bill.

Before Holy Week, try to combine errands into one trip and prepare early. The most direct way to cut fuel spending is still the simplest one: drive fewer unnecessary kilometres.

2. Cut down on long idling

Waiting for passengers, sitting in the car with the air-conditioner on, or leaving the engine running while parked all burn fuel without taking you anywhere.

If you are parked for a while outside a church, restaurant, terminal, or rest stop, turning the engine off can help reduce waste.

3. Cut down on aggressive driving

Rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and unnecessary speeding all increase fuel consumption. This matters even more during Holy Week because traffic tends to be inconsistent and stressful.

Driving more smoothly not only helps save fuel, but also makes the trip easier and safer for everyone in the car.

4. Cut down on excess weight

The heavier your car is, the harder the engine has to work. Before leaving, clear out the boot and remove items you do not actually need.

Extra bags, tools, boxes, and random clutter may not seem like much, but they all add up over a long drive.

5. Cut down on poor tyre maintenance

Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which means the car needs more fuel to keep moving.

A quick tyre-pressure check before a long trip is one of the easiest and cheapest things a car owner can do before Holy Week.

6. Cut down on badly timed travel

With millions expected to travel during the Holy Week period, badly timed departures can mean spending more time trapped in stop-and-go traffic.

Leaving earlier, checking route conditions, and avoiding obvious peak departure windows may help reduce both travel time and fuel wasted in congestion.

7. Cut down on avoidable car issues

Sometimes higher fuel spend is not only about pump prices. Sometimes it is also about the condition of the vehicle.

Low engine oil, poor wheel alignment, dragging brakes, weak batteries, and overdue maintenance can all make a car less efficient or more stressful to drive long-distance.

Quick pre-trip checklist

Before heading out, do a basic check on tyre pressure, engine oil, coolant, brakes, battery, wipers, lights, RFID balance, and emergency items. A simple pre-trip check is far cheaper than dealing with a roadside problem during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.

The real goal this Holy Week

This Holy Week, the better mindset is not just “How do I save fuel?” It is “How do I cut down on waste?”

With fuel prices where they are now, small bad habits become more expensive very quickly. A few unnecessary drives, extra idling, poor planning, and aggressive driving can easily turn an already expensive holiday trip into a much bigger bill.

When it may be time to rethink your car

If your current vehicle is becoming too expensive to fuel, maintain, or keep on the road, it may be worth asking whether it still fits your needs.

Sometimes the issue is not just one round of fuel-price hikes. Sometimes it is the total cost of owning a car that is already becoming heavier on your wallet.

If you are thinking about selling your car, Mobee Cars Philippines can help you understand its market value and sell it with less hassle.

FAQ

How much is fuel per litre in the Philippines before Holy Week 2026?

Recent reports citing the Department of Energy said Metro Manila prices could be around ₱76 to ₱96 per litre for gasoline and ₱94 to ₱114 per litre for diesel after the latest round of hikes.

How can I save fuel during Holy Week travel?

The most practical ways are to reduce unnecessary trips, avoid long idling, drive more smoothly, maintain proper tyre pressure, remove excess weight, and plan your departure time better.

Why does Holy Week driving feel more expensive this year?

Because fuel prices recently increased sharply while millions of Filipinos are also expected to travel during the holiday period, which can lead to heavier traffic and more fuel burned on the road.

Should I sell my car if running costs are becoming too high?

If your car is becoming too expensive to fuel and maintain, it may be worth checking its market value and considering whether it still fits your needs and budget.

If your current car is becoming too expensive to fuel, maintain, or keep on the road, Mobee Cars Philippines can help you understand its market value and sell it with less hassle.

Check your car’s market value with Mobee Cars Philippines today.