Eid 2026 Exodus Peak Predicted for 18 March; Beware of Congestion Hotspots
PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk has projected that the peak exodus for Eid 2026 will fall on Tuesday, 18 March. Approximately 3.5 million vehicles are estimated to depart Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek), with traffic expected to begin easing from Friday of this week onwards.
Jasa Marga Chief Executive Officer Rivan A. Purwantono explained that vehicle distribution will be dominated by eastbound movement. “Of the total 3.5 million vehicles, approximately 50% are heading east (Trans Java and Cipularang), 28% towards Merak, and the remaining 20% towards Bogor,” Rivan stated.
Rivan issued a particular warning regarding congestion at kilometre 66 of the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road. This point serves as a critical junction where vehicles merge towards Trans Java and Cipularang. “Congestion at kilometre 66 is driven by extremely high vehicle volumes, where 57% are heading towards Trans Java and 42% towards Cipularang,” he added.
In response to potential congestion, Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi confirmed that the government will implement a Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy. This policy aims to distribute traffic loads so they do not accumulate on a single day. The government has proposed a five-day WFA period, with specific provisions for the exodus period on 16 and 17 March.
“This WFA policy has already received presidential approval. The hope is that citizens will have flexible timing so not everyone departs during the peak congestion on 18 March,” Dudy explained.
For the return journey, Jasa Marga predicts the peak return exodus will occur on 24 March 2026. Most travellers are expected to return earlier to distribute family visits in Jakarta, whilst others will only return at the end of the holiday period.
Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Nurdin Halid, emphasised the importance of ensuring the availability of fuel at all petrol stations ahead of the Eid exodus. The Central Java provincial government is prepared to welcome tens of millions of people entering the region during Eid 2026, with Governor Ahmad Luthfi emphasising the importance of safety.