Getting around Davao City has become increasingly difficult for motorists. A new global traffic index shows the city struggling with worsening road congestion compared to other Philippine cities.
Davao City has once again emerged as the most traffic-congested city in the Philippines in 2025, based on a global mobility study. The ranking places the city 12th worldwide and fourth in Asia, reflecting mounting pressure on its road network. The findings come from the latest edition of the TomTom Traffic Index, released this month.
What the Numbers Reveal
Data from TomTom show Davao’s average congestion level at 66.2 percent for the year. Motorists there lose an estimated 168 hours annually during rush hour, equivalent to about a week spent in traffic. These figures mark an improvement from last year’s global ranking, though congestion remains severe.
Asia’s Traffic Heavyweights
Within Asia, Davao ranks behind Bengaluru in India, which recorded the region’s highest congestion at 74.4 percent. It performs slightly better than Bangkok in Thailand but worse than Bandung in Indonesia. The comparison highlights how Southeast Asian cities continue to dominate regional congestion rankings.
Speed Tells a Different Story
In daily terms, drivers in Davao cover an average of 4.4 kilometers in 15 minutes. This pace matches traffic conditions in Tainan City in Taiwan and Kyoto in Japan, according to the index. Average rush-hour speed in the city hovers between 14 and 17.5 kilometers per hour.
Manila Follows Close Behind
Manila ranks as the second most congested city in the Philippines, landing 40th globally and 12th in Asia. The capital posted a 57 percent congestion level, with drivers losing about 143 hours a year in traffic. Travel time for a 10-kilometer drive averages just over 31 minutes during peak hours.
The Philippine Picture
As a country, the Philippines recorded the highest congestion level in Asia at 45 percent. It surpassed India and Singapore, both of which logged 37 percent congestion. The index suggests Filipinos spend more time in traffic overall than motorists elsewhere in the region.
How Congestion Is Measured
TomTom defines congestion as the additional time lost compared to free-flow driving conditions. The measure accounts for each city’s infrastructure, road layout, and speed limits. Higher congestion does not always mean slower average speeds, but rather a larger gap between ideal and actual travel times.
Worldwide, Mexico City topped the index with a congestion level of 75.9 percent. The 2025 study analyzed anonymized GPS data from more than 500 cities across 62 countries. For Davao, the ranking underscores a persistent urban challenge that continues to shape daily life on the road.
