Things Returnees Should Know Before Heading Back to Jakarta
The Lebaran holiday period is coming to an end, and the return flow to Jakarta is beginning. Returnees need to pay attention to several matters before heading back to Jakarta. What are they?
Peak Return Flow
Compiled by detikcom on Monday (23/3/2026), the peak of the 2026 Lebaran return flow is predicted to occur twice: the first phase on 23-24 March 2026 and the second phase on 28-29 March 2026. This prediction is based on analysis and evaluation results with stakeholders.
“Based on the analysis and evaluation with stakeholders, the return flow is estimated to be divided into two phases: the first phase on 23-24 (March 2026) and the second phase on 28-29 (March 2026). With this pattern, it is hoped that the density of the return flow can be dispersed, and travel remains smooth,” said the Head of the Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas) Polri, Inspector General of Police Agus Suryonugroho.
Nevertheless, the public is urged not to travel back simultaneously during peak times. Kakorlantas also encourages returnees to take advantage of the work from anywhere (WFA) policy by scheduling returns from (26/3) to (28/3).
Traffic Engineering
In addition, returnees also need to know about the traffic schemes during the return flow. Starting from 22 March to 23 March 2026, strategic measures have begun to be implemented to anticipate density. One of them is through a gradual local one-way scheme at several points.
Today, the National Police Traffic Corps is implementing a partial national one-way from 14:00 WIB from Km 263 to Km 70 on the Cikampek Main Toll Road. Meanwhile, the national one-way for the return flow from Km 414 Kalikangkung Toll to Km 70 Cikampek Main Toll will be enforced tomorrow.
“The priority for high traffic is the national one-way for the return flow, which will be carried out tomorrow on the 24th at 14:00, with the flag-off directly led by the Chief of Police and several attending Ministers,” said Irjen Agus to reporters on Monday (23/3/2026).
Irjen Agus assured that the National Police Traffic Corps has prepared several traffic policies to ease the flow of vehicles returning to Jakarta. However, Kakorlantas also asked drivers not to force their return tomorrow when the return flow one-way is in effect.
According to Irjen Agus, the national one-way policy for the return flow could be extended until 26 March, depending on traffic conditions on the toll roads.
“So the national one-way for the return flow is not only on the 24th; on the 25th, we will extend it when the traffic generation is high,” said Kakorlantas.
“When the traffic flow is already low, it can be managed; we might revoke it. Therefore, (returnees) should not focus (on returning) on the 24th, as there will be a buildup from Km 70 towards Jakarta. This is what we must anticipate so it can be dispersed,” he added.
Other schemes, namely contraflow and odd-even, have also been prepared. Citing the Instagram account of the Ministry of Transportation (@kemenhub151), here is the schedule for contraflow and odd-even during the 2026 Lebaran return flow.
- Contraflow Schedule for 2026 Lebaran Return Flow
Return flow:
Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road section KM 70-KM 47: Monday, 23 March 2026 at 14:00 WIB until Sunday, 29 March 2026 at 24:00 WIB
Jagorawi Toll Road section KM 21 (Gunung Putri)-KM 8 (Cipayung): Tuesday, 24 March 2026 at 14:00-19:00 WIB and Sunday, 29 March 2026 at 14:00-19:00 WIB
- Odd-Even Schedule for 2026 Lebaran Return Flow
Return flow:
Monday, 23 March 2026 at 00:00 WIB until Sunday, 29 March 2026 at 24:00 WIB
Applicable on the Semarang-Batang Toll Road section KM 414 to Jakarta-Cikampek KM 47 and Tangerang-Merak Toll KM 98 to KM 31.
Advice for Drivers
In addition to traffic engineering, returnees also need to pay attention to driving safety. Irjen Agus urged drivers not to rest on the road shoulder. He recalled predictions of high return flow volume starting tomorrow.
“The phenomenon of parking on the toll road shoulder, resting on the toll road, of course, must not happen. However, it still occurs a lot, especially before breaking the fast yesterday; at certain times for breaking fast or suhoor, there were still those parking on the shoulder,” said Irjen Agus to reporters on Monday (23/3/2026).
“We hope that road users, with respect, can plan their journeys well, where they must rest; perhaps they can exit the toll for relaxation or dining in the district road, then re-enter the toll road. So as not to disrupt the journeys of our fellow travellers, especially when there will be a significant surge,” Irjen Agus continued.