Beware of Traffic Jams! This is the Predicted Peak Date for the Lebaran Return Flow

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Lebaran 2026 mudik period has officially ended, after the government designated Eid al-Fitr 1447 H on Saturday, 21 March 2026. The government is now preparing for the return flow period, which will occur on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, by implementing modified vehicle traffic schemes, such as the one-way system on toll roads. “We urge the public to avoid the peak return flow time, predicted for 24 March 2026,” said Director General of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, Aan Suhanan, quoted from a press release on Monday (23/3/2026). The handling of the return flow will consider the number of vehicles during the Lebaran 2026 mudik period. The government recorded that the peak mudik on 18 March 2026 was the highest mudik peak in history. Vehicles exiting the 4 Main Toll Gates exceeded 270,000, resulting in a simultaneous surge in vehicles. The majority of vehicles leaving Jakarta headed to the Trans-Java Toll Road, more than 50%. “Looking at the mudik flow, with the WFA policy, mudik participants are expected to arrange their return time to Jakarta before or after 24 March 2026 to disperse the peak return flow,” Aan said. Meanwhile, the Head of the Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas) Polri, Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, stated that in facing the return flow of mudik participants, the gradual implementation of local one-way schemes to reduce density is likely to be applied. In addition, he suggested that mudik participants utilise the Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy by scheduling their return journeys on 26 to 28 March 2026. “Based on analysis and evaluation results with stakeholders, the return flow is estimated to be divided into two phases: the first phase on 23-24 (March 2026) and the second phase on 28-29 (March 2026). With this pattern, it is hoped that the density of the return flow can be dispersed and journeys remain smooth,” Agus said. “Korlantas Polri will also implement a national one-way scheme for the return flow, planned to start on 24 (March 2026), in accordance with instructions from the National Police Chief and coordination results with the Minister of Transportation, President Director of Jasa Marga, and Jasa Raharja,” he emphasised.