TomTom: Mondays were still the least congested in Metro Manila in 2025

Traffic in Metro Manila might not be the worst in the Philippines anymore, but it’s still quite bad. Like, really bad—you don’t even need statistics to know this. If you go around the city often enough, then you most likely have experienced it firsthand.

But we have statistics from the TomTom Traffic Index, and we’ll refer to them so we have data to back everything up. We’ve already looked at our most traffic-riddled cities and compared them with those of other countries, so now, we’ll shift our focus to the capital. A couple of years ago, TomTom’s statistics showed that Monday was the least congested day in Metro Manila across the workweek. In 2025, it’s more of the same. 

PHOTO BY Leandre Grecia

Looking at the metropolitan area statistics (“trip-dense regions that account for 80% of all trips within the city-connected areas”), congestion in Manila on Mondays peaks at 78% by 4pm and goes up to 94% by 6pm. On Tuesdays to Thursdays, it ranges from 88-91% at 4pm and 108-110% at 6pm. Evening rush hours on Friday, unsurprisingly, are still the worst. Congestion is already at 100% by 4pm and goes all the way up to 113% by 6pm.

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As for the morning rush hour, however, it’s slightly less congested on Fridays than it is on Mondays. By 8am, congestion is at 69% on Mondays versus just 61% on Fridays. Wednesdays are the worst at this hour, with congestion peaking at 75%. From 9am onwards (including PM rush hour), however, congestion levels on Mondays are still the lowest across all weekdays, which is why it’s still the best day to drive around the city.

The bar has been set low, though, so Monday being the “best” day to drive around the city doesn’t exactly mean you can stroll around like you would on a Sunday morning. Still, other weekdays are worse, so if you want to be more strategic with your weekly schedule and be more time-efficient, maybe consider adjusting your routine based on this data? It’s worth a shot.