Following Google Maps, Holiday Travellers Confused Traversing Rice Fields to Purwomartani Toll Gate
A number of holiday travellers heading to the Purwomartani Toll Gate traversed village roads and rice field areas in Tirtomartani Village, Kalasan. They were following the route displayed on Google Maps.
Observations by detikJogja showed that vehicles heading to the Purwomartani GT via the rice fields were predominantly private cars from out of town. Some drivers appeared confused while heading towards the toll gate.
These vehicles began passing through the rice field areas from 3:00 PM WIB. The road they took was just a dirt path wide enough for only one vehicle. Meanwhile, traffic on the main artery, the Jogja-Solo Road, was quite congested.
“Yes, following Google Maps. It directed me to (the road through) the rice fields,” said Satrio, one of the travellers heading to Jakarta, to reporters on Tuesday (24/3/2026).
Satrio admitted he simply followed the navigation instructions until nearing the toll gate. He also mentioned not encountering any officials or direction signs along that route.
“Yes, there were no signs and no officials,” he said.
Another traveller, Damar, admitted he was hesitant when directed into the rice field road. However, he continued the journey because it was difficult to turn back.
“Yes, directed by Google Maps. The destination was indeed the toll. I was hesitant for a moment, but it was too late to turn around,” he said.
Damar stated he was from Jakarta and was returning to the capital after visiting Yogyakarta.
Meanwhile, another traveller, Haryono, said he chose to follow digital navigation due to the congested conditions on the Jogja-Solo Road.
“Because earlier from Tajem I opened Google Maps, since the Adisucipto Solo Road was all red,” he said.
He explained that the route taken was a dirt road in the rice field area with uneven conditions. Haryono also mentioned that access to that route was through the Sambisari area.
“The road is basic, still dirt, not all even. Entry is through Sambisari, next to the temple,” he said.
During the traversal, he admitted not finding any officials at the location. Local residents reportedly helped direct the travellers.
“No officials, just locals,” said the man who was heading back to Surabaya.