Don't Force It: Mudik Travellers Must Rest Every 2 Hours of Driving

JAKARTA — Long-distance mudik travel by private vehicle during Lebaran often requires drivers to cover substantial distances over extended periods. Dense traffic conditions, unpredictable travel times, and pressure to reach destinations quickly frequently lead drivers to postpone rest stops in their haste to arrive.

However, maintaining physical condition during long journeys is an important factor in ensuring road safety. “Rest every 2 hours is mandatory,” an expert told Kompas.com on Monday, 16 March 2026.

The expert previously noted that most drivers only rest when they become extremely tired—a common but unsafe practice. Travellers should schedule rest periods based on driving duration rather than distance covered. Ideally, drivers should rest for 30 minutes after every two hours of driving.

“The ideal practice is to rest after two hours of driving. Don’t use cities as your benchmark—after two hours, you should pull over for a break,” the expert explained.

The expert stressed that there is no obligation to complete a certain distance within a predetermined timeframe. Resting every two hours offers substantial benefits for drivers, including maintaining stamina, mental clarity, and allowing the body brief relaxation periods.