Skyway Stage 3 Traffic Conditions
5 segments monitored · 0 commonly congested
Overview
Skyway Stage 3 sees moderate traffic during rush hours as it serves as the primary bypass of EDSA through Metro Manila. The elevated expressway from Buendia to Balintawak is popular with commuters avoiding EDSA congestion.
Segment-by-Segment Traffic
Buendia → Quirino
3 km · Northbound
Quirino → Nagtahan
4 km · Northbound
Nagtahan → E. Rodriguez
5.5 km · Northbound
E. Rodriguez → Quezon Ave
3 km · Northbound
Quezon Ave → Balintawak
3.33 km · Northbound
Peak Hours
Weekdays: 7-9 AM northbound (toward NLEX), 5-8 PM southbound (toward SLEX/Makati). Queuing at on-ramps during peak. Overall flow is better than EDSA at all times. Weekends: Generally light.
Current Conditions
Skyway Stage 3 has become a critical route connecting southern Metro Manila (Makati/Alabang) to northern Metro Manila (Quezon City/NLEX) via an 18.83 km elevated expressway.
The Buendia on-ramp sees morning queuing during the 7-9 AM rush as southbound SLEX/Makati commuters merge. The Quezon Ave and Balintawak exits experience evening congestion (5-8 PM) as NLEX-bound commuters exit.
Overall, Skyway Stage 3 is significantly faster than EDSA at all times of day. Even during peak hours, the end-to-end travel time is 20-35 minutes vs. 1-2 hours on EDSA.
Alternate Routes
EDSA
EDSA is the free surface-road alternative running north-south through Metro Manila. Heavily congested during rush hours (1.5-3 hours end to end vs. 20-35 min on Skyway Stage 3).
Skyway Stage 3 saves 45-120 min over EDSA during rush hour
C-5 Road
C-5 runs parallel to EDSA on the eastern side. Less congested than EDSA but still slower than Skyway Stage 3. No toll required.
C-5 saves 15-30 min over EDSA but still 30-60 min slower than Skyway Stage 3
Key Segments & Bottlenecks
Skyway Stage 3 is the game-changer for Metro Manila commuters. The 18.83 km elevated expressway runs north-south through the heart of the metro, from Buendia (Makati border) to Balintawak (Quezon City/NLEX).
The route passes over some of Manila's most congested areas — Makati, Manila, Quezon City — all from 20-30 meters above. On-ramps at Buendia, Quezon Ave, and Balintawak connect to the surface road network.
The Buendia to Quezon Ave section (10 km) passes over Manila and sees the steadiest flow. The Quezon Ave to Balintawak section (8.83 km) experiences more congestion as NLEX-bound traffic converges at the northern terminus.
Even during peak hours, end-to-end travel time is 20-35 minutes — compared to 1.5-3 hours on EDSA for the same distance. This makes Skyway Stage 3 arguably the most impactful infrastructure project in Metro Manila in decades.
All Skyway Stage 3 Segments
5 monitored segments covering 18.83 km
| Segment | Distance | Typical Speed | Peak Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buendia → Quirino | 3 km | 80 km/h | Mon-Fri 6-9 AM northboundMon-Fri 5-8 PM southbound |
| Quirino → Nagtahan | 4 km | 80 km/h | Mon-Fri 6-9 AM northboundMon-Fri 5-8 PM southbound |
| Nagtahan → E. Rodriguez | 5.5 km | 80 km/h | Mon-Fri 6-9 AM northboundMon-Fri 5-8 PM southbound |
| E. Rodriguez → Quezon Ave | 3 km | 80 km/h | Mon-Fri 6-9 AM northboundMon-Fri 5-8 PM southbound |
| Quezon Ave → Balintawak | 3.33 km | 80 km/h | Mon-Fri 6-9 AM northboundMon-Fri 5-8 PM southbound |
Best Times to Travel on Skyway Stage 3
Mid-day is smooth sailing — 20 min end to end
Late night/early morning is fastest
Morning rush but still 30-35 min (vs 1.5-2 hrs on EDSA)
Evening rush — queuing at on-ramps but flow is steady
Emergency & Roadside Assistance
Emergency Hotline
(02) 5318-8655
Operator
Skyway O&M Corporation (SMC Tollways)
Speed limit: 60 km/h throughout (elevated expressway with multiple on/off ramps).
Safety Tips
- Autosweep RFID is mandatory — no cash lanes exist
- Keep sufficient Autosweep balance (P264 for full traverse)
- The elevated structure has no breakdown lanes — if you stop, you block traffic
- Queuing at Buendia on-ramp can take 10-15 min during peak — factor this in
- Do not stop or park on the elevated section under any circumstances
RFID & Payment
Required RFID System
Autosweep
Operated by SMC Tollways. Easytrip RFID will NOT work.
Where to Get RFID
Available at Autosweep installation centers, select gas stations, and SM Supermalls customer service desks.
Autosweep GuideConnected Expressways
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Skyway Stage 3 toll?
Does Skyway Stage 3 connect to NLEX?
Is Skyway Stage 3 open 24 hours?
What RFID system does Skyway Stage 3 use?
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