In 2023, Metro Manila shamefully held the top spot for worst traffic in the world, but according to the 2024 TomTom Traffic Index, Metro Manila now holds 15th place in the ranking for the world’s worst traffic levels based on travel times. That sounds like a big improvement, but there are a couple of caveats.
First off, the 2024 TomTom Traffic Index expanded its scope by adding 137 cities to its list, bringing the total to 500 cities compared with 387 in 2023. Next, the data shows there were only marginal improvements in Metro Manila traffic in 2023 versus in 2024. Which means the competition just got better (or worse?), and year-on-year, there really wasn’t much of a difference.
Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the numbers, and some stats from last year to see what we can learn for 2025.
Based on data for city centers (“the densest areas that capture 20% of all trips within the city connected area”) and metro areas (“trip-dense regions that account for 80% of all trips within the city-connected areas”), Manila ranks 27th worst for traffic congestion on the former and ninth worst on the latter.
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According to metro area data, it took Metro Manila motorists 27min 18sec on average to drive 10km, and that was on a median speed of 22kph. Again, while being 15th worst in the world may seem like an upgrade compared with being outright worst in 2023, all the updated stats are actually worse: In 2024, congestion levels were higher, travel times were longer, and average speeds were slower, according to TomTom.
On a typical week, the worst time to be on the road was on Friday from 5pm to 6pm. It took motorists well over the average time to travel 10km—usually clocking in at 37min 37sec, or a full 10 minutes longer. Whether drivers were headed out for a weekend trip or a Friday night out, it took everyone a little more time to get to their destinations.
The average Metro Manila driver lost around 103 hours to traffic jams and rush hours. That’s about four days and seven hours stuck in traffic. For reference, you could’ve binged the entire Infinity Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe from start to finish, with five hours to spare. And that includes the TV shows.
And many of those hours were probably recorded on September 18, 2024—according to TomTom, that was the worst day to travel in Metro Manila last year.
These statistics are always disappointing and disheartening to hear. While Metro Manila improved by 14 spots, it didn’t feel like traffic had improved. We were still sitting in gridlock and not watching Spider-Man and the Avengers fight Thanos.
With the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) scheduled to rehabilitate EDSA this year, we hope the project can actually improve traffic flow and promote other mobility options to get around the metro. That sounds like a good New Year’s resolution.
