Peak Exodus Traffic Predicted for 18 March 2026

Jakarta — An estimated 3.5 million vehicles are projected to leave Jakarta during the Lebaran exodus period this year. Peak traffic flow is expected to occur on 18 March 2026.

According to Jasa Marga Chief Executive Rivan A Purwantono, the projection was compiled based on calculations by Jasa Marga and the Transportation Policy Agency (BKT) of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), which produced similar results despite using different timeframes.

“We estimate approximately 3.5 million vehicles. We anticipate the peak traffic flow will occur on the 18th,” said Rivan during a press conference in Bekasi, West Java, on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

Vehicle movement is expected to begin increasing from Friday this week, influenced by the relatively long holiday period. This gives the public more flexible timing to travel home for the celebrations.

Meanwhile, peak return traffic is anticipated on 24 March 2026, or three days after Lebaran. According to Rivan, some travellers will return earlier due to needing to resume activities in Jakarta.

“Some travellers will return early because they need to get back to Jakarta for work, whilst others will stay until the end of the holiday period,” he said.

Of the total 3.5 million vehicles projected to leave Jakarta, approximately 28 per cent are expected to head westbound towards Merak. Meanwhile, approximately 50 per cent will travel eastbound via routes up to Cipularang, and around 20 per cent heading towards the Bogor region.

According to Rivan, eastbound traffic requires the most attention as it represents the largest volume. Of vehicles heading eastbound, approximately 57 per cent are expected to continue on to the Trans Java toll road, whilst approximately 42 per cent will use the Cipularang route.

He added that congestion typically occurs around the 66-kilometre mark due to the high volume of vehicles heading towards the Trans-Java toll road.

“Congestion typically occurs at the 66-kilometre mark because of the larger number of vehicles heading towards the Trans-Java route, representing approximately 50 per cent of traffic,” he noted.