Thousands of Vehicles Exit Cipularang Toll Road Ahead of 2026 Mudik Peak
As the Idul Fitri holiday approaches, the movement of people undertaking mudik (returning to their hometowns) is becoming increasingly visible. Major highways including the Trans Java toll road, the North Coast route, and the southern route are expected to become congestion points during peak mudik season.
The Ministry of Transport has predicted that 50.60 per cent of the population, equivalent to 143.91 million people, will undertake mudik travel during this year’s Lebaran celebration. In terms of destinations, the largest flow is directed towards Central Java with 38.71 million people, followed by East Java with 27.29 million and West Java with 25.09 million.
Thousands of Vehicles Clog Cipularang Toll Road
Based on monitoring at the KM 88A rest area, numerous vehicles have congested the Cipularang toll road section. A total of 52,456 vehicles were recorded exiting the Cipularang toll road on Monday (16/3) at 17:20 WIB. Additionally, numerous private vehicles were observed taking turns entering the KM 88A rest area.
To support the smooth progression of the 2026 Lebaran mudik, the government has prepared several strategies. These include ensuring infrastructure reliability spanning roadways, ports, aviation, and airports.
The government is also monitoring weather developments to anticipate extreme rainfall. A 30 per cent toll tariff discount has been provided across 9 toll road sections, covering both the Trans Java toll road and the Sumatera toll road.
The government is also conducting Operation Ketupat and traffic engineering measures to ease congestion, particularly during the peak mudik flow on 16-18 March 2026 and the return flow peak. The government predicts the first peak return flow wave will occur on 24-25 March 2026, with the second peak return flow wave occurring on 28-29 March 2026.
Safe and Comfortable Journey to Destination
To ensure the mudik journey remains safe and comfortable, travellers are advised to pay attention to several important matters before and during their journey. One of these is ensuring the vehicle is in good condition before being used for long-distance travel.
Then, ensure mobile money balance is sufficient to avoid queuing when entering toll gates. If you feel tired during the journey, it is advisable to rest at the rest areas available along the toll road sections.
After a long journey, travellers can rest at several stopping posts such as the Rest Area KM 88A heading towards Bandung. This rest area on the Cipularang toll road can serve as one option for taking a brief rest.
The rest area is equipped with facilities including a minimarket, food court, a public fuel filling station (SPBU), and a public electric vehicle charging station (SPKLU). Additionally, at rest area KM 88A, mudik travellers can also find the ZINC 2026 Mudik Checkpoint.
ZINC 2026 Mudik Checkpoint: Free Hair Wash and Reflexology Massage
The ZINC 2026 Mudik Checkpoint offers various facilities to support the rest time of mudik travellers. The ZINC 2026 Mudik Checkpoint is available at KM 88A and KM 102A from 16-19 March 2026.
At the ZINC 2026 Mudik Checkpoint, travellers can try free hair washing with ZINC Cool Booster, charging stations, and reflexology massage with the purchase of attractive packages from ZINC Shampoo. Based on monitoring, mudik travellers were observed queuing to take turns for free hair washing at the ZINC 2026 Mudik Checkpoint. One traveller, Abel, shared his experience when trying the free hair washing facility with ZINC Cool Booster.
“Initially I only wanted the charging station, but I was offered a free hair wash. At first, I thought (at the ZINC 2026 Mudik Checkpoint) there was only a charging station, but it turned out to be quite out of the box,” Abel told detikcom.
“I tried the hair wash. I was also recommended what type of shampoo to use. When I was washing, I felt coolness on my head so it felt more refreshing,” he said.
For mudik travellers, it is indeed important to maintain focus during the journey and keep the head cool whilst driving. ZINC Cool Booster will provide a cooling sensation to the scalp so it can remain focused whilst driving.
ZINC Cool Booster is the newest variant of ZINC with Deo Active Scalp Technology from Lion Japan which is capable of combating three types of dandruff, such as dry dandruff, oily dandruff, and itchy dandruff with odour. ZINC is also formulated with Glacier Water and Mint which provide a cooling sensation as well as UV Shield protection.