Eid al-Fitr Homecoming 2026: Don't Be Surprised by Unpredictable Travel Durations

JAKARTA - Eid al-Fitr homecoming is synonymous with long journeys that often take far longer than under normal conditions. The public is urged to understand that spikes in vehicle volumes make travel durations difficult to predict. Founder of Jakarta Defensive Driving Consulting (JDDC), Jusri Pulubuhu, stated that the phenomenon of long driving hours or extended driving during homecoming is not new. According to him, homecomers should use past experiences as lessons. If one is still surprised by the length of the trip, it means they have not yet adjusted their expectations. He advised homecomers to remain calm when facing long traffic jams. Additionally, route selection is an important factor in avoiding extreme congestion. “Look for non-favourite routes, middle routes, and so on,” he said. Jusri explained that popular routes such as the North Coast Road, toll roads, and southern routes have now become points of vehicle concentration. Other alternatives that may be longer in distance could actually be traversed more quickly. “The travel distance may be longer, but the travel time is shorter because the road volume is not as severe as on favourite routes, thus we will be safe and comfortable,” said Jusri.