Jakarta–Solo Homecoming by Car, Budget Around Rp1 Million for a One-Way Trip
Lebaran homecoming by private vehicle remains a popular choice for many people due to the flexibility of travel. However, travellers need to budget substantial costs, especially for tolls and fuel.
The Jakarta to Solo journey is typically undertaken via the Trans-Java Toll Road, with a distance of around 540 kilometres and travel time of about 7-9 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Based on the latest toll tariffs for Group I vehicles (private cars), total toll costs from Jakarta to Solo are around Rp 519,000 for a one-way trip.
Here is the breakdown of toll segments encountered on the Jakarta to Solo route along with their tariffs:
Jakarta - Cikampek Toll: Rp 27,000
Cikopo - Palimanan (Cipali): Rp 132,000
Palimanan - Kanci: Rp 13,500
Kanci - Pejagan: Rp 31,500
Pejagan - Pemalang: Rp 66,000
Pemalang - Batang: Rp 53,000
Batang - Semarang (Kalikangkung): Rp 111,500
Semarang ABC Toll: Rp 5,500
Semarang - Solo Toll: Rp 92,000
Total toll tariff: around Rp 519,000 for Group I vehicles.
Besides tolls, travellers must also estimate fuel costs. If using a car with an average fuel consumption of 1 litre per 12 km and a distance of around 540 km, fuel requirement is about 45 litres. If using Pertalite with price Rp 10,000 per litre, fuel costs amount to about Rp 450,000.
Thus, the estimated cost for Jakarta–Solo travel by private car is:
Toll: Rp 519,000
Fuel: Rp 450,000
Total about Rp 969,000
If you add meals and rest-stop costs around Rp 100,000– Rp 200,000, total one-way mudik could reach around Rp 1.1 million.
However, the cost could be much cheaper if travel is done with family or a group, as it can be shared among several passengers.
For comparison, train fares on the Jakarta–Solo route during mudik typically range from Rp 350,000 to Rp 600,000 per person, depending on class and departure time. Airline tickets for Jakarta–Solo typically range from Rp 800,000 to Rp 1.5 million per person during the mudik season.
Therefore, if the car is filled with four passengers, the private car trip cost around Rp 1 million is equivalent to about Rp 250,000 per person, still cheaper than train or air travel.
Nevertheless, private car travel carries the risk of long traffic jams during the homecoming period. Therefore travellers are advised to prepare the vehicle, ensure an electronic toll collection balance, and choose the right departure time to keep the journey safe and comfortable.