Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) are among the dynamically configured network topologies that enable communication among wireless mobile devices, characterized by frequent changes in topology that lead to unpredictable behavior, resulting in delay and routing overhead among the devices. To improve the network construction of mobile devices and achieve maximum efficiency in data transmission, this article proposes a Sustainable Mobile Ad hoc Networks (SMANET) model that optimizes data transmission energy and neighborhood discovery through integrating three key modules: distributed network model construction, energy-based data transmission, and neighborhood discovery process. Subsequently, the process carried out in this model involves efficient network construction, proper energy distribution for data transmission, and regular neighbor selection to transfer data optimally, thereby reducing data congestion and delay. The proposed SMANET is developed using simulation software called NS2, and the parameters analyzed to evaluate the devices’ behavior include routing overhead, end-to-end delay, energy efficiency, network throughput, and data delivery ratio. The simulation outcome shows that the proposed SMANET outperforms the existing techniques in terms of efficiency and throughput.