Homecoming Traffic Surges, Cipali Toll Road Handling 5,300 Vehicles per Hour

CIREBON — As Eid approaches three days ahead, traffic flowing from Jakarta towards Cirebon on the Cikopo-Palimanan (Cipali) toll road experienced significant congestion on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, with one-way traffic management remaining in effect.

Based on data from 00:00 to 09:00 Western Indonesian Time, approximately 47,000 vehicles passed through the former Cikopo toll gate (heading from Jakarta towards Cirebon). This traffic volume was approximately 97 per cent higher compared to the same period the previous day.

“An average of 5,300 vehicles per hour crossed the toll road,” said Ardam Rafif Trisilo, Sustainability Management & Corporate Communications Department Head of Astra Tol Cipali, on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.

Ardam stated that to prevent traffic slowdowns and ensure public safety, the toll operator urged all road users not to stop on the roadside except in emergencies.

“Road users are strongly advised to rest at the nearest rest area or utilise rest facilities outside the nearest toll gate if car park capacity is full,” he said.

With a closed-barrier toll system, toll rates remain unchanged even if road users exit and re-enter the toll road to rest outside the toll area. Therefore, motorists are urged not to force themselves to rest on road shoulders or rest areas within the toll section.

The Eid 2026 homecoming traffic movement also showed significant increases on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road. The government has begun implementing traffic control policies through Phase I local one-way traffic management as a preventative measure against the surge in vehicles on the main homecoming route.