Drive from NAIAX to Balintawak took us 22 minutes via Skyway Stage 3

Traveling from north to south and vice versa is now faster, easier, and more convenient thanks to the Skyway Stage 3. The 17.9-km elevated road is now open to motorists, and it will be toll-free for a month.

Skyway Stage 3 Drive Quick Look

Built by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the Skyway Stage 3 connects the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Skyway to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). The Skyway Stage 3 is said to reduce travel time from SLEX to NLEX from around three hours to just 20 minutes. Moreover, it will only take you 15 minutes to reach Balintawak if you’re coming from Magallanes in Makati City.

Aside from faster travel time from SLEX to NLEX and vice versa, the Skyway Stage 3 would also help decongest traffic along main thoroughfares in Metro Manila such as EDSA and C-5. SMC said that the Skyway Stage 3 will help reduce traffic in the said thoroughfares by as much as 55,000 vehicles daily.

Our drive from NAIAX to Balintawak took 23 minutes

As such, we drove out to try and experience the convenience that the Skyway Stage 3 can offer. We started our drive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAX) and drove all the way to Balintawak via the Skyway Stage 3. Our drive from NAIAX to Balintawak took 22 minutes while driving at an average speed of 60 km/h.

To put things in perspective, the drive from NAIAX to Balintawak would usually take you about an hour since you need to traverse Quirino Avenue all the way to A. Bonifacio Avenue.

While driving at the Skyway Stage 3, we noticed that the only exits after Buendia as of this writing are Quirino, Quezon Avenue, and then Balintawak.

>>> Related: Skyway Stage 3 to open tomorrow, toll fee is lifted for a month

Motorists will have a faster and more convenient drive

Speaking of which, SMC said the Skyway Stage 3 will have eight access points along Makati, Manila, San Juan, and Quezon City. To be exact, motorists could expect the following access points for the Skyway Stage 3: Buendia, Plaza Dilao, Nagtahan, Aurora Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, Sgt. Rivera, Balintawak, and NLEX.

Visit Philkotse.com for more traffic updates.