Facts Ahead of Peak Eid Mudik (Homecoming) Traffic 2026
The second peak of Eid 2026 homecoming traffic is expected to occur on 18 and 19 March, coinciding with the start of the joint holiday period. Police and the Ministry of Transport recorded a surge in homebound travellers during the first peak period on 14 and 15 March.
Peak Homecoming Traffic at Merak and Ciwandan Ports
The Chief Executive of ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Heru Widodo, has predicted that the peak Eid 2026 homecoming traffic at Merak and Ciwandan ports in Banten will occur on 18 and 19 March. He stated that vehicle and traveller volumes crossing from Java to Sumatra have already increased by 5 percent compared to normal days. With a week to go before Eid, there has been a surge particularly among motorcyclists and family vehicles. For this year’s projection, ASDP Indonesia Ferry estimates an increase of 9.3 percent for the crossing region compared to last year.
Buffer Zone Strategy for Gilimanuk-Ketapang Congestion
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has instructed his forces to prepare for vehicle traffic surges at the Ketapang and Bali crossings using a buffer zone scheme. The congestion is attributed to the overlap between Eid homecoming traffic and celebrations for the Hindu Nyepi holiday. Police have mapped traffic management schemes divided into several categories, ranging from normal situations to emergency or red zone situations to alleviate potential long queues.
Vehicle Exodus from Jakarta
On the sixth day before Eid, 23,610 vehicles passed through the Cikampek Utama toll gate in Karawang, West Java, heading out from Jakarta between midnight and 12:44 WIB. This represents a significant increase compared to the seventh day before Eid, when 20,665 vehicles passed through the same toll gate during the same period. The increase in vehicle volumes has been noticeable since 11 March 2026, though not yet dramatic. Both single-direction and contra-flow lanes are operational, with no traffic engineering measures currently in place as all vehicle surges can still be managed effectively.
Enforcement Against Violating Trucks and Restrictions
The Minister of Transport, Dudy Purwagandhi, has instructed police to take action against vehicles violating regulations prohibiting trucks with three or more axles from heading to ports including Merak, Ciwandan and Bandar Bakau Jaya during the Eid homecoming period. He expressed concern that some companies are not complying with the joint circular letter, which not only causes traffic congestion but also endangers homebound travellers, especially motorcyclists.
The Banten Regional Police Chief, however, stated that enforcement will focus only on trucks carrying non-essential cargo, while vehicles transporting logistics or food supplies will not face restrictions. Authorities have also designated parking areas for trucks that violate the regulations.